Making Magical Halloween Costumes & Memories

Since I was a little girl, my Grandmother, Mimi, would make me the most amazing and spectacular costumes. She would take me to the fabric shop and let me pick whatever I wanted. I was literally a kid in my own type of candy store. Anything my little heart could dream, was her command. Of course, I would request the most lavish costumes you could imagine and without fail they would always show up even better then I envisioned. These memories are implanted into my soul, they makeup a huge part of the creative person I am today.

It’s been over 5 years since my Mimi passed away and I miss her so very much each and everyday, but Halloween always gets me a little more emotional then most days. I have carried on her tradition of handmade Halloween costumes to my own children now. Some years are harder then others trying to get them all done in time, but I remember how important it was to her and to me. Skyla, my oldest takes this tradition very seriously…lol! She starts sketching out her Costume mid-summer every year. I try to follow my grandmothers path and allow her to go in any direction she can imagine. Somehow, I think this task is easier as a grandparent vs. a parent. 😉 When Halloween gets closer we start picking out fabrics. I should say SHE picks out her fabrics, because my thoughts are never really recognized. Last year, was our first year of learning to sew and having a big job in helping make the costume.

This step is so magical to my girls…they love to help in any way possible! Everyone has their very own sewing machines now. I did a lot of research on little sewing machines for them, I’ll include a link for what I found to be best for them on the bottom.

Each year, when Halloween starts creeping around, I know the requests are going to start rolling in. As much fun as it is to make all these costumes, I am totally aware how much work they all include. Making these memories doesn’t have to be hard, you don’t have to be the most talented seemstress. Anyone really can make their own costumes, if they want to, there are so many options out there.

I am including a great Quick & Easy DIY Halloween Costume. Making your own costumes doesn’t have to be hard and time-consuming. I made this ghost costume for my youngest, Brock this year. It took me a little under an hour and he couldn’t be happier with it. 🙂

Good Luck…You Can Do It!!!

1 Hour Quick & Easy DIY Ghost Costume

Supplies:

• 2 Yards of White Fleece
• 1/4 Yard of Black Iron on Fabric (I use Pellon)
• Scissors
• Rotary Cuter (not necessary, but makes life a lot easier)
• Measuring Tape
• Iron

Step 1: Measure…I measured my little guy with his arms straight out, finger to finger, for width and his height from shoulder to ankle.

Step 2: Fold your fabric in half and cut your fleece to your measurements.

Step 3: Mark the middle of your fabric and cut a neck hole at your marking. I used a small glass to trace a circle for the neck hole. Fleece stretches so much, so go small. The hole was about 2″ wide. Looks super small, but it will absolutely work. Remember you can always go larger, not the other way around.

Step 4: With your fabric still folded in half, hand draw an oval shape along the sides and bottom of the fabric. Cut one side and then fold that side over and use that cut as your pattern and cut your remanding side. Making them even and matching.

Step 5: Cut 3″ long and 1″wide cuts all around the sides and bottom, making it looked frayed. Once they are all cut, start knotting each strip, this actually took the longest amount of time. Let the kids help! 😉

Step 6: Face- I printed off a ghost face from the internet, there was a ton to choose from. Scary, happy, etc. I scaled it as large as it would allow onto the paper. Pin your template to your Iron on Fabric and start cutting out the shapes. Once they are all cut out, make sure to position the face where you want it and just iron it right on.

I also made a One Line Stitch Fleece Hat with the left over fabric.

Super Easy!!!

What are your favorite homemade costume ideas?? Comment below…we would love to hear from you!!

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