When Halloween fell on a work day, the ‘dress-up terror’ gripped me until I started creating homemade costumes. Armed with a glue gun and access to the local Dollar Store, you too will be sporting your homemade Halloween costume this holiday.
The first creation was an accidental success. Goldie, my golden retriever, kept barking which interrupted my frantic rummaging for that year’s Halloween costume. When I picked up the bag of dog food in attempt to quell her barking, I realized I’d found my costume. Yes, I was dog food! I emptied the 50 lb. bag, and then cut a hole in the end for my head, and a hole in each side for my arms. I wore a dog mask found at the Family Dollar Store, www.familydollar.com, but you could use face paint for a nose and whiskers.
The next year I went with a similar theme – a Chia pet, www.americanchia.com, by using the dog face mask, from last year, and duct tape. I wrapped my torso with the tape, sticky side out and then placed crinkle cut shred (located in the gift wrap aisle) on the sticky duct tape. My husband joined in the fun with a slightly different look by placing his duct tape and crinkle cut shred around his head.
Another inexpensive homemade Halloween costume that brought great reviews was being a table. We cut holes for my head and arms in a large box. With a hot glue gun, we attached a fabric table cloth and then added plates, napkins, flatware, and glasses (plastic items are lighter). The centerpiece was a vase with feather flower bouquet and candles. Since most of the items were purchased at the Family Dollar.
One year I chose Flo, the Progressive Insurance spokesperson. I wore white pants, polo, tennis shoes and apron. Using iron-on computer transfer paper, I placed blue letters to spell “Progressive” across my chest. I made a round pin that said ‘I love insurance’ and wore it on the right side of my apron. (the word love was replaced with the symbol of a red heart). The local Office Max was able to craft an official looking name tag with the gold and blue bars at the top and “Flo”. The name tag was worn on the left side of the apron. I dyed my hair brown and wore red lipstick.
“Joski” the clown, pictured above, is my favorite homemade costume. I purchased a used crinoline and clown shoes from the local costume shop. At SAS Fabrics, I was able to purchase large quantities of fringe, ribbon, bells and sequins which were sewn to a pre-fabricated skirt and top bought at Goodwill. The adornments can be applied with a hot glue gun if you don’t sew. Top it off with a wig and professional clown make-up.
Happy Creative Halloween!
