Quick and Easy Halloween Costumes

QUICK and EASY HALLOWEEN COSTUMES

Photo Credit: BH&G.com

Ok, so my philosphy is you shouldn't spend more than say $5.00 dollars putting together a childs halloween costume. cheap and easy costumes is my motto.  I also think you should strike a balance between making one completely from scratch and store bought.  I know a lady who spent many months out of a year conceiving of each child's costume and then constructing these elaborate, very creative costumes. It was definately amazing,  but I always wondered how much did the kids enjoy the awkward to wear costumes after trick or treating for a few houses.


When the kids were very young, I created several little "No Sew " Costumes  that could be worn over any clothing, so they could dress warm if it was cold and still have their costumes on.  I made several little felt poncho's that could be slipped over their clothes. I made a pumpkin, a black witches/wizard poncho, and a super hero.  I have long since lost the original pattern, but I found some similar ones and am posting them here.  


Another  way I liked to make quick and easy costumes for the little ones is to use white contact paper.  The kind that you peel and stick onto shelving to protect them.  You can cut out the white contact paper into bone shapes and stick directly onto your toddlers black sweat shirt and sweat pants to make a cute skeleton.  You can color brown spots and stick them onto a hooded sweat outfit for a cut puppy.  Add some peel and stick ears to the hood .  When you get home, just pull off the contact paper and throw it away!  I


Another cute way to use hooded sweatshirt would be a cute animal, lets say an alligator.  Buy a green sweat shirt.  using white contact paper and markers color a little yellow oval type shape with brownish markings for the "belly" peel and stick to the front of the costume.  buy googly eyes and glue to the front of the hood, above the childs forhead.  Using white felt cut out teeth shaped triangles or a long zigzag that you can attach to the inside of the hood around the opening with iron on fusible webbing., for a mouth full of teeth that frames the childs head while he wears the hood.  


Also, every time you go to yard sales, look for clothes, jewelry, hats, boa's, etc. that can be used to build a fantastic "go to" box for when your kids are older.  When they need a costume, just have them go to the dress up box to come up with their own costumes.  Makes sure some basic black capes, plastic fang teeth, crowns, swords, pirate patches etc are in there.  
I liked to pick those types of basics up after Halloween at Walmart to add to the box. 


Ok, so here is the poncho idea. It can be used for so many ideas, this is just to stir your imagination!  
Below find two directions:
1) Link to the instructions for these cuties from simplicity.com:
Bats, Ghosts, and Pumpkins are found here:

2) This is from mommysavers.com:

Make a No-Sew Fleece Poncho by Kimberly Danger

One of the characteristics of fleece is that it won’t ravel, therefore no sewing is required! Best of all, it’s cheap. With one yard of fleece you can make two adorable no-sew ponchos. The fabric I found was a little over $5 per yard at Walmart, making each poncho just about $2.50.  There are dozens of cute fabric patterns and colors available too.  These fleece ponchos are not only stylish and snuggly, they’ll fit your budget just right!

You’ll Need:

One yard of 60” fleece of your choice (this will make two ponchos for a  small girl; if you have a toddler you can get by with 3/4 yard).
Scissors
Large beads (optional)

Instructions:

1.  Cut your large piece of fleece in half.  Trim so that the pieces are perfectly square (approx. 30″ x 30″ for a girl; 27″ x 27″ for a toddler).  The two pieces should be large enough to make two ponchos for a toddler or young child.

2. Fold fleece in half diagonally

3. Find center of fold

4.  Cut a semi-circle around the center 5” inches across for neck (I traced a small bowl to help with this).

5. Cut fringe all the way around the bottom

Optional:  Tie a knot at the base of each fringe tassel

Optional: String one wooden bead on each fringe tassel before tying the knot.

If you already have a poncho that fits, you can use that as a basic pattern.  That goes with other items you may want to make with fleece:  see if you can find an item you already have

that is about the right size that you can use to make a pattern out of