DIY Halloween Costumes

The magazines are beginning to fill my mailbox. Each is full of cute and fashionable Halloween costumes. However, they are also full of very expensive Halloween costumes. Some Halloween costumes are ridiculously priced considering that they usually can only be worn one time.

While some costumes can be sold at a consignment sale or passed on to younger siblings, in general they are not worth the money.

I have found two ways to get more for the buck when Halloween costumes are concerned. First wait until the after Halloween sales and purchase next year's costumes (and hope the kids don't change their minds!) The second idea that I use is to make your own Halloween costumes.

I have basic crafting skills but I am not a machines expert by any means. You do not have to be a greater sewer to make your child's Halloween costumes. Material craft glue works very well and holds up for the one night adventure.

I have made a few Halloween costumes to save on costs. One year my daughter wished to be JoJo the Clown from JoJo's Circus. However, I did not agree on the Disney store's pricing. To create this costume I went to the local Good Will store. I purchase a pair of red pants and a yellow shirt. I also bought orange and blue material and red yarn.

On the red pants I used craft glue to glue an orange strip of material on each leg. I used paint to paint the splotches on the yellow shirt. I took the blue material and gathered it to form a cap. On the edges of the cap I glued the red yarn to make hair. The costume turned out very cute. Looking back in pictures, one could not tell the difference! The key was to look at a picture of JoJo as the costume was being made.

On another year I made a witch costume. Witch costumes are usually not very expensive. However, I could not find one that would fit my small daughter. For the costume I bought a black mock turtleneck top that was a couple of sizes too big. That way it would fit as a dress on my child.

I also purchased sheer material with spider webs on it. The material had a type of gleam to it. Material like this is easy to find around Halloween. I paint (or use spray) the black top with iridescent glitter. I then used the material to form a cape. My daughter wore black boots and hoses and a witch hat. It turned out to be very cute and it fit!