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!
~*~
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.
~*~
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.
~*~
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?
~*~
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 :)
I was fortunate to have someone stop by sosorosey and purchase several of my bright bowls last week. Lucky me, I get to restock the shelves with color! I chose this ultrabold tie dyed t-shirt as a good start.
Not sure what to give your child's teacher for the holidays? Maybe an upcycled apple is the way to go! These two are heading off to Connecticut as Christmas gifts, but I'd be happy to whip one or some up for you- just ask! The leaf lid comes off to provide a nice little storage place for all of the teacher-y things that tend to accumulate and sprawl over his or her desk. Just $15, and sure to be a standout from the usual mugs and candy.
Posts
