Monday, November 1, 2010

Makeover Monday: Halloween Edition



Back in the day, it was cooler to have a homemade costume than store bought. Store boughts were plastic and cheapo looking; mama-made suits were the finest quality. Times have changed it seems, and Target, The Children's Place and Pottery Barn seem to be making out like bandits on Halloween. For four years, I've been right there myself, buying my girl the best outfit I could find for whatever she wanted to *be*. This year she wanted to *be* a mummy. Oh, heavens! Mommy had to conquer her fear of making a costume!
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So, I found a lovely pair of ecru long johns to serve as the mummy undersuit. Then we went to the fabric store and purchased a couple of yards of unbleached muslin and some cheesecloth. I was all set, though I had no idea exactly how to go about putting this together. I didn't want to use pins, I can't sew more than a button. Hmmm. Think, think. Aha! My glue gun is my friend.
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I tore the muslin into strips and fashioned a headpiece, vest, armbands, and a kind of skirt that could all be tied on. At the last minute Sophie wanted her whole face covered, so we did a makeshift cheesecloth mask.

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She looks pretty great, doesn't she? Very mummy if I do say so myself. It was really special when she'd put her arms out straight in front of her and mutter some sort of made up trick or treating rhyme about giving candy to the undead. Eh- zombies, mummies- what's the difference, right?
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So, while I had no idea what I was doing, and while the bottom did start to kind of loosen and drag around as the trick or treating wore on, the homemade costume was an overall success. When people complimented her on her get-up, she proudly said, "My mom made it for me!" Now that was a treat better than anything found in the candy bowl :)

4 comments:

CelticKnot said...

This is SO adorable, and such a special time you both will remember. That's so sweet she gave you credit. :-)

Evelyn said...

oh, she looks adorable! Great job on the handmade costume! I slacked off this year and made a run to the nearest Walmart the last minute.

p.s. Thanks for the lovely shout out Jennie!
xoxo

Ribbons Undone said...

Oh, I totally agree! Since we're DIY'ers we must put it altogether ourselves. I pieced my kids' Halloween outfits together using storebought accessories, thrift shop finds, and bits & pieces from craft stores.

Catherine was a "pretty witch." Glenn Jr. was Luke Skywalker.

Ribbons Undone said...

Oh, by the way, Sophie looks great. Such a brave young lady to look so spooky!