Period-Style Halloween Costume Patterns Available Online

It's time to get started on fall crafts, and one of the first crafts we worry about is a Halloween costume. For those of us who like to go to parties and events throughout the year, or who party period-style, having a period Halloween costume is a great way to add to your costume collection for the rest of the year. Whether your favorite time period falls into the Medieval and Renaissance eras or whether your tastes fall into the Victorian or Civil War eras, there are Halloween costume patterns that will help you sew the perfect costume that you can keep for years to come.

In order of difficulty, here are some favorites available this year:

Easy costume patterns

Medieval style dress and belt costume pattern - I really like this one because it has classic styling that can also be easily modified into another type of Halloween costume. It's a great base sewing pattern that's fairly easy to put together. Check it out here.

Victorian era gown costume pattern - Simple, stylish costume pattern that could easily be dressed up if you're so inclined. From Simplicity. Check it out here.

Medium costume patterns

Girls/Misses Colonial costume pattern - I put this in the medium category because, although it contains ruffles, it doesn't contain a lot of trim. Though it looks complicated, it's designed to LOOK that way rather than being that way. I still wouldn't recommend tackling it as a beginning seamstress, unless you love making ruffles. However, the pattern comes in sizes for girls all the way through adult. Check it out here.

Celtic costume patterns for Halloween for both women and men - Both from Simplicity. Simple styling and excellent use of plaid make these great sewing patterns for Halloween or other events. If you're going for authenticity, though, you might want to look at other patterns. The misses pattern is here. The men's pattern is here.

Hard costume patterns

Renaissance costume pattern for women with detailed, flowing sleeves. Also includes lace-up bodice with front-opening over-skirt. This sewing pattern isn't as complicated as some, but the sleeves and trim make it too difficult to put in the medium category. If you like a bit of a challenge, check it out here.

Elizabethan costume pattern - Beautiful detailing. Contains costume patterns for 2 different dress styles. I can't pick a favorite because they're both gorgeous. Can you? Decide here.

Tudor-style Halloween costume pattern - Similar to the Elizabethan Halloween costume pattern above in the bodice, but with different sleeves and other accents. To see it, click here.

French 18^th century court dress costume pattern - Definitely in a class of its own, this costume pattern is undeniably French with elaborate detailing. Certainly complicated, but if this style of Halloween costume is something you'd love to pull off, here's your chance. As with many period-style costumes, doorways will not be your friend. On the plus side, this one might be easier to sit in than some! Check it out here.

Men's Civil War costumes - Yank or rebel, these are some really nice sewing patterns for period Halloween costumes for men. The jacket comes in two styles so you can pick the one you favor most for your soldier. Check it out here.

Civil War era costume pattern for women - Gorgeous, elegant, elaborate Civil War era costume for women, perfect for Halloween or any occasion where you could get away with wearing it (as long as it's not too hot). From the Museum Curator Collection, like the costume I made several years ago, which is pictured above (for which the sewing pattern is no longer available from the site). To see it, click here.

If you've chosen to go with a period-style costume this Halloween, you're going to need some extra pieces. If you choose to buy them or wing it yourself, you could probably do a decent job and save yourself some time. However, if you're a fan of making an entire piece yourself, you'll want to check out these patterns to see what is necessary. For some period-style pieces for women, you'll be better off with a corset, but the corset should match the style of the costume you'll be putting together. It's all about the way your corset accentuates your curves. For some period-style Halloween costumes, you'll need a hoop skirt so that your skirt lays properly, but the type of support your skirt needs varies by the time period of the Halloween costume.

Unmentionables (because it's fun to call them unmentionables)

For period-style undergarments for the ladies, check out these costume patterns:

Corsets, drawers, and chemise costume patterns (civil war era) available from Simplicity here.

Hoop skirt costume pattern (civil war era) available from Simplicity here.

Undergarments costume pattern (16^th century) available from Simplicity here.

Undergarments costume pattern (French court 18^th century) available from Simplicity here.

Accessories

Renaissance style jewelry pattern here.

Gloves (for several periods) here.

Headgear

Renaissance and religious pieces here.

Crowns here.

Outerwear

Hat, capelet, and muff (Victorian/Civil War eras costume patterns) here.

Hat, jacket, and muff (Civil War era costume patterns) here.

Victorian Women's/Men's jacket and hat costume patterns here.

So there you have it, plenty of sewing patterns for the perfect Halloween costume. If you're inspired to tackle one, feel free to link a picture so we can be in awe of your skills!