Is that a homemade costume?

Damn rights it is! It was kind of a weird question, but maybe not. Back in the day, most of our costumes were homemade. I remember my mom made me a Wilma (Flintstone) costume one year. I suppose now, with Value Village, and Spirit Halloween, you can buy any number of ready made costumes. Some may be cheaper than making it yourself, but some can be quite expensive, full price.

The past few years, we've either been buying costumes, half price, right after Halloween, for the following year. Or, we get them second hand at stores like Once Upon a Child, and Value Village. This year, I decided to make my kids some Angry Birds costumes, for the outdoor, warmer costumes they could wear over their winter clothes, because it was that cold this year.

I found a website with step by step instructions. I sort of followed the template for the faces, but mainly used images of the birds online. I used fleece instead of felt. The fleece was on sale, and is warmer. The two costumes were a little over $55 to make. I think the Angry Bird costumes were selling for over $35 each at Spirit, but it was also the act of making the costume that is fun.

Check out the website. There are designs for many different Angry Bird characters. The felt colours do "pop" more than the fleece, but I am happy with how the costumes turned out. They were straight forward to sew, and did not take too much time. My main issue was sewing with the quilt batting exposed, as it kept getting caught in the foot of my sewing machine.

http://www.twindragonflydesigns.com/2011/09/angry-birds-family-costume-tutorial.html


The other modification I made was to sew the face details on, instead of using a glue gun. I am not sure which will last better if I ever do decide the costumes need washing. My son's costume was a little long, and he kept catching his feet on the front of it to go up steps to people's door. It does not look too dirty. The costume should fit him well next year, if he's still into Angry Birds. I figure, the costumes can double as plush toys, or big pillows, later.

Sewn facial detail

Pink Bird before fabric paint

Pink bird, finished.

Black bird, finished

Makes a great cat bed too.

Two Angry Birds ready for Halloween

I dressed up as an eyeball. Another homemade costume from last year. Used an old white sheet, and some fabric paint. My husband was busy scaring neighbourhood children dressed up like a werewolf. Many parents were telling their kids he was a nice "puppy". My kids would correct them to say he wasn't really a werewolf, it was just a costume. No need to be scared. Gotta love the logic of kids sometimes. I am glad they were not scared.

I hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween. Now, we start the prepping for the winter holidays.

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