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Storytime Tapestry Newsletter
The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural
awareness throughout the world.
Welcome to Fascinating Facts and Tantalizing Trivia
A Hartson Dowd Column
October
21, 2007
Witches riding broomsticks through the cold
night air! Ghosts and goblins dancing
around graveyard tombstones! Black cats
dashing around with their fur standing straight up! This is Halloween, a time of fun, excitement,
good times---and just a little fear.
This article was written to help you enjoy
it more. For Halloween means changing
who you are. It means dressing up to
become a witch or a ghost, a pirate, or a black cat. Halloween means making things
Budget
Friendly
Halloween Costume Ideas
These homemade Halloween costume ideas are
timeless, low cost, creative, and great fun. After all, it should be as much
fun to create the costume as it is to trick or treat! Halloween
costumes are so different today. Super heroes, wizards, and cartoon characters
rule the trick or treat. It seems Halloween costume ideas are limited only to
what's on the rack. But it doesn't have to be so. It was not too
long ago, ..... O.K. it was maybe a while ago......, when I was a small trick or
treater that Halloween costume ideas were much more original. You were not
likely to bump into three or four other characters that looked exactly
like you.
Oh, you might run into a costume of the same
theme, but it would be totally unique by comparison. Of course, my mom created
our Halloween costumes. You can create unique Halloween costumes and save money
by recycling items.
Create your own unique Halloween costumes. Use
your imagination and resources to come up with great Halloween costume ideas. Remember
that Halloween costumes exaggerate to be most effective. So the more
accessories, the better. Children will learn to be resourceful and creative.
Keep their minds strong. Exercise the imagination!
...by
observing you, children learn how to create and they learn craft. These
powerful memories imprint a more important message. They come to understand the
superiority of the creative tightwad method.,
You can get many Halloween costume ideas from
life around you. You only need to look around in the real world to come up with
some great Halloween costume ideas. Here are some timeless, easy to
make, Halloween costume ideas using items around the house, borrowed from
friends and/or relatives, or purchased for next to nothing at your local thrift
store.
· Animal Halloween costume ideas:
One-piece basic costumes - Use fabric 45” wide using 2 yards for a child 3 foot high
or 3 yards for 4 foot child. Fold the material in half (right sides facing each
other) and lay it on the floor. Lie down
the child on the fabric with their shoulders along the fold with their arms
outstretched. Trace around the body with
chalk. Before cutting out the pattern,
add 6 inches to the traced edge to allow for the body width and the seam
allowance. Also add 4 inches to the ends
of the arm and leg openings for ease.
Cut along the seam line, also, around the middle of the fold, cut a
small circle 4 inches in diameter. The
diameter is the width of a circle across its center, the widest part. To draw a circle with a 4 inch diameter, tie
a piece of string to a pencil and then, measuring the string from the pencil
cut the string at the point that is half the diameter of the circle you are
drawing. For a circle with a 4 inch
diameter, cut the string 2 inches from the pencil. Hold the end of the string in the middle of
the material (or whatever you are drawing the circle on) with your finger
keeping the string tight while you draw the pencil in a circle around your
finger. In this way you can draw any
size circle that you want. Cut a 4 inch
slit for the neck opening. With the
right sides together, sew along the seam lines and sew on a snap to close the
slit at the neck edge. Sleeve, neck, and
leg openings may be hemmed, if you like.
Tiger – Use yellow or orange
material. After you have finished
sewing, paint black stripes onto the material.
Sew a tube out of a piece of material approximately 24 inches long and 3
inches wide. Stuff it with newspaper and
sew it on the back of the costume for a tail.
Skeleton – Use black
material. After you’ve finished sewing,
paint bones of the material with white paint.
For toddlers: Use one piece pajamas as a starting point. An extra bonus: the pajamas
are warm clothing for what is typically a cool weather night in many areas. For
example.. a fuzzy white, brown, black, or even pink footed pajama can easily
become a kitten, rabbit, or dog. Add a home made tail using scrap fabrics
(attach with safety pin), a headband with the appropriate ears attached, or if
you use a hooded outfit attach ears directly to hood, some creative face
painting using home made face paint (below), and you've got a cute little
costume that can be used as a comfy outfit after trick or treat!
For older children use tights or stretch pants,
and turtleneck shirts, sweaters, hooded sweatshirts all in the desired color
instead of the pajamas. Use desired color of mittens or gloves for paws. Bats,
lions, tigers, even a skunk can be created in much the same way as the above
animals!
Halloween Costume Ideas Recycling Tip: Remove the stuffing from an unwanted large stuffed animal (through a
cut slit down back), launder, and use sections or fabric for costume. Or, cut a
hole for the face and your toddler may be small enough to fit right in and use
for hooded costume.
* Bat Costume – Outstretch your arms and
measure across the shoulders from fingertip to fingertip. Ask a friend to help you measure. Cut a piece of black fabric as wide as the
measurement and 36” long. If you are
small, adjust the length to suit your size.
In the middle of the top edge cut out an oval (with an opening along the
top edge) that is large enough to fit around your neck. Sew on a snap. Using white chalk, draw the scalloped edge
that looks like the wing shape of a bat and cut the fabric along the chalk line
to form your bat wings. Sew a small loop
of material at each corner to fit over your index finger as this will enable
you to raise your arms and extend the bat wings. Using the same black fabric, make a hood
shaped like a pillow case, but with two rounded corners. Draw facial features on the hood with white
chalk and cut them out. Cut two
triangles out of the felt for the ears and sew these onto the top of the
hood. Wear a black shirt and pants to
complete your costume.
· The Big Baby: This is an amusing Halloween
costume idea for an older child. Return to the diaper zone! A bottle or
pacifier, a bib, a homemade cloth diaper (over tights or pants of course), and
a rattle, complete this costume; Add
some rosy cheeks and your youngster will be ready to laugh (or cry) his/her way
through trick or treat.
· The Graduate - Have an old graduation cap and
gown? If it doesn't hold too much sentimental value, you can use it to create a
very simple, easy, costume. Create a fake diploma and drape it from the waist
tied by a string or yarn of same color or wear like a necklace. You don't want
the trick or treater to have to carry it. I've discovered these types of
accessories usually end up in Mom's or Dad's hands to carry after a short time.
Halloween Costume Ideas Recycling Tip: Any discarded or unwanted work uniform (nursing, military, fireman,
policeman) can be used as a Halloween costume.
· Hobo - Recycle some unwanted clothing. Paint on or
put on patches, rip some areas (especially around the bottoms of pants, ends of
sleeves, elbows and knees, since these areas show wear first). Use black or
brown makeup to smudge the face a little to look un-kept. Blush the nose to
look a little reddish. (hobos get cold outside) Sport the oldest pair of worn
looking shoes you can find (or even better, two different shoes) and a tattered
hat and you're good to go!
·
Little old Lady or Man - This Halloween costume
idea is a classic. Dress accordingly in an older man's (a suit is great) or
woman's clothing. A hat is a nice touch. If you don't have a real walking cane
you can substitute an appropriate size stick. Add some creative face painting
with lots of wrinkles of course. Be sure to add the cracking voice and a
prominent limp.
* Pumpkin Costume – One package of 1-ply orange crepe paper. Using the entire package, glue the ends of
all the sheets together to form one big circular piece. With heavy thread, gather loosely both the
top and bottom edges of the circle of paper.
Leave the ends of the thread hanging loosely for now. Wear dark pants. Ask a friend to help you
place the crepe paper around yourself, from shoulders to hips. Gather the top tightly and knot the threads
together. Cut holes in the sides for
arms. Stuff the pumpkin with newspapers
and then gather bottom tightly. Knot the
threads. Cut eyes, a nose and a mouth
out of black construction paper and then glue them in place on the crepe
paper. Sew a black hood (in the shape of
a pillow case) to fit your head, and cut holes for the eyes, nose and
mouth. Or you can use a plain black mask
instead.
· Princess - I think every little girl wants to be a
princess at least once. This Halloween costume idea may not be original, but it
can by very unique. So, don't rush out and buy the frilliest princess costume
you see. The princess is merely an expression of elegance. As long as your
little girl feels elegant she is a princess.
If you don't already have a full length fancy
party dress, check the thrift store for a low cost floor length party dress.
Just pick one that looks "princessy." Even better, borrow one if
possible.
A princess wand can be easily made with a dowel
or stick and a cardboard star covered with foil. Add frills with duster
feathers or ribbons if desired.
Make a crown. You can easily make one using a
headband and craft materials. Here's a great tip: Recycle a Burger King Crown.
You know the crowns they give out to all the little kiddies at Burger King. You
can cover with foil or paint and add beads or gemstones to decorate. They also
make a great pattern for a crown if you want to create it out of some other
material you have.
· Scarecrow - cut
up some old jeans and a flannel shirt in scarecrow fashion. Cut sleeve ends and
pants leg ends in strips to look tattered. Use straw or an old straw broom's
bristles and glue or tape along inside edges of sleeves, pants legs, along
bottom of shirt to appear as if bursting out of the scarecrow. Or tie string around the ankles and writs so
the straw will not fall out. Add a straw
hat or a floppy hat and broom to complete the costume.. For a mask, crumble a
large brown paper bag until it is soft.
Cut out the eyes and a nose, and draw on a mouth. Glue pieces of straw or strips of brown paper
to the top and sides of the bag for hair.
Put the bag on your head and tie it loosely around your neck with
string.
· The Witch - A long black dress or all over
black pants with black top can be combined with a witch hat and black cape(make
your own if you're crafty). Add black boots and make up face to suit.
These are all good Halloween costume ideas and
I'm sure you get the picture by now. The idea is to use as many items as you
have on hand to create these timeless Halloween costumes. Halloween costume
ideas and possibilities are limited only by your imagination.
Don't let that little girl cry because you
can't find her the purrrrrrrrrrr-fect cat costume. You can create a much nicer
one from everyday items and a few craft materials. Chances are it will look
more realistic than that store bought costume.
As a bonus, many of the costume pieces (i.e.
shirts, pants, tights, gloves/mittens) are reusable after Halloween!
A few other Halloween
Costume Ideas Tips:
· Use spray paints or craft
paints. Fabric dye, fabric paints and/or pens, to color recycled items to
desired color. One year I used silver spray paint to color and entire outfit
for my son's tin man costume. We recycled aluminium foil to use in making the
hat and the axe. Some silver body glitter on the hands and face put the
finishing touches on this costume!
· Use regular clothing to create
an all over color effect as with the animal costumes.
· consider mittens or gloves when
you need hand color
· A gallon ice cream bucket
w/handle makes a perfect trick or treat bucket. I save these throughout the
year and recycle for hundreds of other uses. Use neon paint or stickers to add
bright decorations. This is a good safety technique to make kids more visible
while trick or treating
· Make your own face paint: You
will need Corn starch, Water, Cold cream, and Food coloring.
Use several different cups (custard cups,
recycled single serve yogurt or Jell-O containers, a foam egg carton) Prepare 1
tsp cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon each of cold cream and water for each color
desired. Mix different color food coloring (one drop at a time) in each cup.
For Cream Make Up:
2 tsp white shortening
5 tsp corn starch
1 tsp white all purpose flour
glycerin (get at drug store)
Food coloring as desired
To make enough for one child's face - Use a
rubber spatula, blend the first three ingredients until a smooth paste forms.
Add 3/4 drops glycerin for a creamier consistency. Add coloring if desired one
drop at a time blending after each drop until you have the desired shade. For
easy removal use shortening, cold cream or baby oil.
Remember your Halloween Safety
Here are a few, but certainly not all
inclusive, reminders of safe trick or treat rules.
1. Small children should always be accompanied
by an adult.
2. Use flashlights, bright costumes or decorations to make trick or treaters
more visible.
3. Try to frequent the same limited area each year or limit visits to friends
and families.
4. Remind children not to eat candy until they get home and have moms and dads
check and approve.
5. A safe costume should not block or restrict a child's vision or interfere
with mobility. Make sure costumes are of a safe length so as not to trip the
child.
6. As mentioned above, avoid accessories that have to be carried. I've
discovered these types of accessories usually end up in Mom's or Dad's hands to
carry after a short time anyway. I eventually learned to be prepared and
carried a bag with me to carry any discarded Halloween costume parts or accessories.
Recycling for Halloween Costume Ideas - Items that can be recycled for Halloween:
1. Large stuffed toys - remove stuffing and
launder. Use fabric for animal costumes. Sometimes the head can be used as hood
w/ears or adapt the entire head to create a safe mask. Cut holes for eyes
(vision should not be restricted) cut mouth for breathing.
2. Plastic milk jugs - cut shape as desired to
make masks. i.e. make just an eye mask or make a whole face mask. Line the
outside with some sort of tape (masking, craft tape, duct) to soften edges.
Decorate accordingly to suit your costume using fabric, paints, ribbon, etc.
Punch holes in appropriate area to attach elastic band or use a paper clip.
Insert paper clip (or you can use key chain rings) into punched hole on mask -
one on each side. Attach appropriate sized rubber band (to fit head) between
the two clips and you have an elastic band!
3. One gallon ice cream buckets make the
perfect size trick or treat bucket. Decorate for the occasion. I recommend
using bright neon or glow in the dark decorations or paint. You can even
personalize with the child's name.
4. Save some unwanted clothing or costumes from
previous years in a storage container just for Halloween. Almost any clothing
can be recycled for costumes. Even accessories like belts, ties, sashes,
scarves, shoes, costume jewelry, and any kind of uniform.
5. Use sections of panty hose to use as a hair
net under wigs or full head masks. Keeps the hair under control and out of the
way.
6. An old broom can be used for a witch's broom
or an old straw broom's bristles can be used in the creation of a scarecrow
costume.
I hope these Halloween costume ideas help you
create your own unique Halloween costume.
Have a safe and Happy Halloween!
Hartson S. Dowd
hsdowd@telus.net
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