Monday 4 October 2010

16

How do you out-awesome a skeleton?

Despite it being only the beginning of October, the crafty bloggy world is already a-twitter about Halloween. It's like the biggest event in the crafting calendar. I'm not much of a forward planner when it comes to sewing things for my own family, but Halloween costume fabric requirements would normally fall outwith the stash. Unless I make them go as Michael Miller and Amy Butler. Which, yes, would be funny. But only in limited circles. So I'll definitely need to buy some specialist fabric. But what to make? Don't tell me to ask them. I'm too much of control freak to spend my time sewing something atrocious and I'm 98% certain that Maia would request a Princess Ballerina. And Jamie a Care Bear. I'm not going to have that on my conscience.

A reminder of the costumes I made them last year:


If you want, I'm happy to discuss how much they've grown in a year. Before you ask, I don't know why Maia has turbo powered hair follicles. I suspect it's to torment me.

So, crafty peeps: what costumes are you making for the kids this year? Non-masochistic folk: what costumes are you buying?

16 comments:

  1. I always make their costumes, although now I have my own sewing machine I suspect this might be a more joyous affair than previous years. Lewis has requested to be a dragon and Andrew a spaceman. I'm thinking bumblebee for Elise.
    I can't wait to see what you make for your two! I loved the skeletons last year!

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  2. H says he wants to be the 11th Doctor Who, as he has the sonic screwdriver already... I havent' seen any costumes and I'm starting to panic that I wont be able to make one myself...I mean really a tweed coat, dicky-bow, and suspenders.. I';m not sure I could do that... I have been looking for things in the charity shop to alter but am starting to panic I wont get it done in time.

    *panic panic*

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  3. My 6 year old wants to be Glinda the Good Witch from the Wizard of Oz. I think i'm going to dress up my one year old as The Lollipop Guild. I think it's going to be cute.

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  4. ooooh, i so want to make the skeleton costumes! Shame I can't draw at all :(

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  5. I punted after a long process. I figure this is the last year I get to pick and next year is CERTAIN to be a princess.

    I was originally going to make a little pair of knit shorts, t-shirt and purple canvas backpack and have her go as Dora the Explorer. But then she went off Dora for awhile.

    Then I thought some hot pepper pants, a little white chef's coat and a puffy hat. Because she does like to pretend she's a baker and the puffy hat might get additional play time.

    Then my dad called me and said "Someone gave me this pig costume that's never been worn." It's super cute and Rylee tried it on and LOVED it. Last year she refused to wear the mouse head I slaved over and she's been begging to wear the pig's head. She even shakes the ears.

    So skipping the homemade this year. I might make the puffy hat and chef's coat for Christmas dress-up presents, though.

    And you're right not to let them pick. I let my nieces pick one year and ended up sewing a Sleeping Beauty gored skirt that took 5 yards of satin. And a pair of tulle Tinkerbell wings. I told the one who wanted to be an angel (a simple robe and cardboard wings) that she only has to visit me once a month in the nursing home. The other two better be there once a week.

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  6. My kids are so inventive; Brodie wants to be a witch and Devin wants to be a bat. I never make the costumes (last time we "made" one a lady at my work sewed together a Pebbles from Flintstones outfit for B) but these ones seem pretty straightforward so I think I'll give it a go.

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  7. I was thinking of 4 Lego bricks...it involves no sewing but does involve painting boxes and paper cups with brightly coloured paint.

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  8. Munchkin has a lady pirate outfit that I got from Asda for £4, which should do her for the next couple of years.
    We're not doing anything halloweeny, and we live up a very dark street that is a dead end, so never get trick or treaters, but I may well make her dress up anyway so I can put photos on Facebook :D

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  9. Kathryn wants to be a ghost this year. It's so easy. White trousers (made by me, formerly a sheet), a white long sleeve t-shirt (not made by me) we already have. I am giong to make a raggedy tattered skirt (elastic waist) and a tattered raggedly waistcoat out of more former sheet (precisely why my mother thinks I need parts of former sheets I don't know but they're useful) Net curtain head thing. Done.

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  10. tiny has a pumpkin outfit which was her brothers, its done 3 halloweens already so its been good value! (thank you tesco). Last year she was a bat cos someone gave us the outfit. It was very very cute. The boy will be a ghost pirate cos i got the outfit cheap and large so its got a good couple of years in it! I have siad i'll make him a ginger bread man outfit for book day though!

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  11. I don't think about Halloween costumes until the day before and then i rush to Tesco and buy whatevers left. I am clearly a rubbish mother!!

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  12. Last year I made a Snow White Costume from a very complicated pattern that took me blardy ages. Luckily I made it BIG so it still fits. Ta Da! (It might need some remedial attention though it's been worn x 1000 and stuffed in dressing up basket). Snow White it is again then. Baby will wear IKEA dinosaur hood from dressing up box and if I can be bothered a green fleece shoulder cape over her normal clothes.

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  13. Last year I made a Snow White Costume from a very complicated pattern that took me blardy ages. Luckily I made it BIG so it still fits. Ta Da! (It might need some remedial attention though it's been worn x 1000 and stuffed in dressing up basket). Snow White it is again then. Baby will wear IKEA dinosaur hood from dressing up box and if I can be bothered a green fleece shoulder cape over her normal clothes.

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  14. I am going to make (have i time?) my 18 month old daughter a one shouldered animal print dress - so she can be a little flinstones/stone aged girl. She has more hair than on any child ever, so going to backcomb that and make her a club. Not sure how impressed she will be.
    trying to find hair accessories with little bones?

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  15. I've got it! Use your underpants pattern; the right primary or metallic color = superhero briefs. Matched up with a leotard/tight T and leggings, a quickly sewn cape, and a simple eye mask. They can choose the names, giving them the illusion of input into the Halloween deliberations.

    In fact, I think I'll take my own idea and give your pattern a whirl (knit fabric here I come). I threw together a cape a few weeks back (I have about 1/1000th the experience or talent as you). I made it reversible; according to my mini-hero, black stretch velvet side = "Mean Guy" and sparkly cobalt blue side = "Saver Girl". I aim for costumes that'll get reuse as dress-up through the year...and the cape alone is already in heavy rotation.

    If none of that suits your fancy, check out this shop on Etsy for kits or more inspiration: http://www.etsy.com/shop/DIYcostumes?ref=seller_info. (I bought the shark last year...and it's still being worn to school.)

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  16. I love your blog & the ideas you have for kids clothes - especially for little boys!

    Anyhow, I'm making my son a Cat in the Hat costume this year. He's recently discovered the TV show & royally loves the Cat. Couple pieces of fleece & a felt hat & we're good to go! :-)

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