Halloween Costumes: Half-Homemade

I know - we're past Halloween, and even past Thanksgiving now, but I really wanted to share with you the costumes I put together for the kids this year - and maybe they'll serve as inspiration for someone else's costumes next year. Or maybe you're like me and occasionally gift costumes for Christmas gifts.

My kids have always had definite ideas about what they need to be for Halloween. Are your kids that particular? Sometimes, I think it might be fun to dress them up in a while family theme. I won't deny good fun it is saying how excited they get as their costumes begin to take shape, though. 

This year, G started the third grade. With that, he is now old enough to participate in the Oregon Battle of the Books. If you're curious, my guess for the most popular book on the list is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. It definitely got G hooked on the series (books, movies, video games...) 

The costume is comprised of a white button up shirt for $10 from Walmart, grey slacks he already owned, Gryffindor tie and scarf from Etsy shop Parties and Fun, wand from Party City, glasses found on Amazon here, and I made the robe using the pattern from Etsy shop Sewing Pattern Pixie. I used the lines version of the pattern and flannel (to keep G warm while trick-or-treating), and misdirected the pattern slightly by adding a wand pocket to the interior. I also purchased this patch for his robe from a seller on Amazon. Unfortunately, it for lost in the mail, and the replacement didn't arrive until after Halloween, and I've been lazy, so it is STILL not attached to the robe.

Both girls opted for more traditional superhero costumes. Some might argue that it would be more accurate to say that N opted for the girls to both be superheroes, and E just went along with it, but they were both pretty happy with the outcome.

N was Batgirl. Hers was the simplest costume to poor together. She already has the black leggings. I picked up a plain long sleeved black T-shirt and skirt for cheap, and went from there. I found some faux gold leather at JoAnn's and used that for the chest and cape emblems, (I made the cape using a Superman cape I made years ago as a template, but then added the scalloped edge at the bottom). The utility belt was made from a wide piece of gold elastic, with four pouches attached also made from the faux leather. The pouches and cape all have hook and loop closures. In order to skip a true mask (although I could have skipped this all together), I painted get mask on.

E was Wonder Woman, and she will very proudly tell you that she IS Wonder Woman.

He's costume started off with matching plain red long sleeved T-shirt and leggings. The short is yards and yards of blue tulle, gathered and attached to some elastic. I used the same faux leather for dessert chest emblem, belt, cuffs, and tiara. The cuffs are actually one toilet paper roll city in half with the faux leather glued on worth a glue stick. The belt is tied in the back with a yellow ribbon so I can adjust the fit. The lasso of truth is some cording I found at JoAnn's that I thought looked good. The tiara is made with Annie's soft and stable to be soft but hold its shape. The red star is leftover red flannel from G's robe. The back is elastic, encased in more of that wonderful faux leather.

The kids had a really great time. Of course, in our house, dressing up in costumes is occasionally done regardless of the time of year. I encourage it.

Of course, I had to include this next picture, because of all the pictures I posted to Instagram from Halloween, this one actually got the most likes. I give you: Professor McGonagall

And if you don't get that reference, then I'm not really sure what you're doing reading this post.

Come back soon! Because it's almost December, and I have real Christmas related posts coming! Hooray! I mean, if I don't share some other random holiday related something first, right?