It is a decision I seem to struggle with every year: to take the time to make a unique, quality costume, to buy something that is quality but will take a bite out of my wallet, or to just get something cheap and disposable?
With Xander’s Friday the 13th birthday coming up this week, my mind is on Halloween and all the creepy that comes with it a bit early. The problem with Halloween costumes is they rarely get worn again. I really love to make things, but when I put money and quite a bit of time into something that only gets used a few hours, I struggle with the idea that it’s really worth it.
Last year I did a bit of both. Xander really wanted to be Super Why. I never thought there would be a costume to purchase, but there was. I knew that it would take a lot of time and effort to make something he would probably not wear again, so for around $25, I couldn’t pass this costume up.
He loved it, and we already had some hand-me-down shoes from his older cousin to match.
I searched for something to purchase for Milly, but there wasn’t anything I just had to have. Often the costumes at pop-up Halloween shops are very limited and chances are a lot of other kids will be wearing them (yes, I like to try and be different if possible). While you can find some decent things online, you never know what the fit will be like and it really is hard to find anything under size 6 months. A witch is a classic, and I knew that I could put something together with pieces I could use again.
I started with this little hat. I did a guest post on a friend’s blog last year with a tutorial that you can find here. I figured it was something that would fit her this year as well, and it’s made a nice little accessory to display on one of the shelves in her room.
Mrs. DeVore says
That broom and that hat are too cute! I made my daughter's halloween costume last year because I wanted it to be special and different. I love making things too, but it sure was a lot of work! 🙂 I'm contemplating what to do for this year too…
themakerista@gmail.com says
I hear ya! It's fun but exhausting. 🙂
Julia Konya says
Oh they are both so cute. Love the little witch!
I kinda hate buying them because most costumes are so junky. I let my kids wear their costumes through the year, that way they get lots of use out of them. If I buy then I splurge at stores like "chasing fireflies". Love their stuff. The splurge mostly was a birthday present for them then.
themakerista@gmail.com says
They do have really cute costumes! I'm hoping when Milly gets older she'll want to dress in something she can play dress up in and yes, then I can see spending the money. Thanks for the perspective!
Racheal Kendrick says
I am relatively new to reading your blog (Hello from a fellow Kansas City girl!), but you seem very crafty. I love handmade costumes, and I think you did a wonderful job with your daughter's last year.
They don't have to be really fancy, but if you make them they are so much fun to look back at and remember.
This is my daughter's first Halloween and I am trying to decide what she should be. Thanks for the inspiration to make her a costume!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Oh, glad you found me Racheal and thanks for reading!
You are so right, costumes don't have to be super elaborate to be meaningful.
I don't know how old your daughter will be, but if Milly would have been a bit smaller, I really wanted to make her a mermaid. A little knitted or crocheted tail would be cozy for a small baby and a wig out of yarn would be so funny!
Thanks for commenting and have a lovely week!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
so cute!!! my mom makes my kids costumes because she honestly enjoys making something for them- i am lucky! 🙂 and just noticed tagline- best tagline ever!
themakerista@gmail.com says
That is lucky!
And yes, I thought of my tagline long before I started this little blog…I speak the truth! 🙂
Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home says
I've never bought yet – we've been able to piece my girls' costumes together from things we have or I've made them. I usually try to get pieces that can be repurposed later too, like you did Milly. Who, by the way, I want to gobble up. The cuteness!
Alecia says
soooo cute. I think if I had kids – I would like the idea of making costumes but then probably in reality I wouldn't plan and have to find something to buy the day of. I'm not a good planner or DIY-er for that matter. 🙂
xx Alecia with http://www.likesof.us
themakerista@gmail.com says
I have ideas way ahead of time, but then often procrastinate. 🙂 Sometimes the costumes you put together at the last minute can be the best. I remember when I was little, one Halloween we last minute took some of our parents lab coats and used some things around the house to go as mad scientists. It will always be one of my fondest memories of Halloween. Thanks for reading, Alecia!
happeningsofourhome says
Love Milly's little witch costume from last year! I try & do a little bit of both–piecing a little bit of new & a little bit of handmade together. It keeps the costumes manageable & not so store-bought looking.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks for sharing, friend! I can't wait to see what your little ones wear this year, I loved last year's!
Deb says
I love making the kids costumes and especially love how excited they are when they receive compliments on them! I made a Bucky the Badger (Wisconsin mascot) costume 3 years ago. My oldest wore it one year and then my youngest wore it last year. He will be wearing it again because of all the compliments he received! It made his day to have a "cool" costume!:)
themakerista@gmail.com says
That's so great that you've gotten so much wear out of it! I'm sure it is very cool, and it probably feels great to have your boys feel proud to wear something you put a lot of time into. Thanks for sharing, Deb!
Erin and Laura House Envy says
Gwen,
Oh my, Milly's costume is so cute!! I guess if you put the extra effort in your can always take one of those great pics and use it on a Holiday card, right?! I know what you mean though! I feel like the kids won't recognize how cool it is to have a unique hand made costume till they are older and think back to how cool it was that you put the time into it and it was unique! Either way your kiddos are cute and will look great:) Happy birthday to your little guy!!
Laura
House Envy
themakerista@gmail.com says
I actually used one of these images to make notepads for christmas gifts. 🙂 You are so right! My mom often made costumes for us, and I never thought much about it at the time, but looking back I am so thankful!
Thanks so much, Laura!
Sandy a la Mode says
eeks! i haven't even thought about a halloween costume for Austin, but i need to!!! this will be his real first trick or treating experience!!
xo,
Sandy
Sandy a la Mode
themakerista@gmail.com says
That's so exciting that he will get to trick or treat this year! I know Xander's favorite thing to do still is to hand out the candy. I'm hoping this year he wants to go around too!
Autumn Beach says
An opera singer?! Girl, is there anything you CAN'T do?! You are uuber talented! In so many different ways. I can't get over Milly's hat, broom and SKIRT. Adorable! When you don't sew, you have no choice. So, we're store-bought all the way over here. Sigh. Maybe someday I will learn how to sew and be tempted to make their costumes. Can't wait to see what you come up with for this year!
themakerista@gmail.com says
I don't think that's bad, Autumn! It's way less stress and I'm sure my kids will hit a phase where they only want something they see in a catalog!
Katie M says
My mother made our Halloween costumes every year growing up. They were beautiful and creative and great quality, and we still to this day have them stored in plastic bins. I say, if you have the time and talent, DO IT! Even as adults, we love digging through those costumes, putting together bits and pieces and re-using the same classics over and over. As kids we re-used them, our neighbors often borrowed, and now as adults, the next generation has already started to wear them. These costumes, the stories and memories of all the years past, and all the love that went into them by my mother are some of my favorite bits of childhood.
*Full disclosure…I am not much of a seamstress, and I am sure my children will never wear a handmade costume (by me) haha
themakerista@gmail.com says
Oh, that's great Katie! And maybe your mom will help with that…I know in our family, if someone knows how to do something, the others don't usually learn, they just ask the person who knows how to do it. 🙂
Chelsea says
This is definitely a dilemma for me every year. Last year was the first (in 6 years!) that I didn't make my kids costumes because we had moved 2 weeks before. The 2 youngest wore old ones I had made and I let my 6 year old get the cheapo disposable version that he was begging for. 😉
themakerista@gmail.com says
Glad I'm not alone in this, Chelsea. 🙂
Jesse @ Scout & Nimble says
This is the exact question I was asking myself today. Henry is obsessed with Skylanders and the very few costumes that they do have are terrible. So, I am debating. I know if I put the time in, he would be so excited to wear it and he'd probably sport it on the weekends, too. But there is just something so nice and easy about a store bought costume. The little costume you made for Milly is adorable…love the little feather in her hat! 😉
themakerista@gmail.com says
It is a tough decision, isn't it? Thanks! I'm sure whether you buy or make he will love it regardless!
Christina Bourne says
LOVE!!! I am dressing my 4 month old up as a witch this year. Inspired by this post! Do you happen to have a pattern for the broom and would you be willing to e-mail me the pattern for the hat? I have tried downloading it but am unable to without paying a 3rd party PDF viewer for it. Not sure what that's all about.
lyckligila says
I love your Halloween outfits, so inspiring. I am deathly afraid of making my own costume even the ghost one. I've search for ghost costumes online and yours was the only one I really liked.My 3 year old is insisting on being one and you can't really buy good ones for toddlers. Do you mind letting me know how you did yours and what the material is that you used for the mouth and eyes? thanks! – Malin
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks! It's just a few layers of tulle that I had on hand. Best of luck!
Noelle Day says
I love the little witch costume! Any idea where I could find a pattern to help me with making the skirt?
themakerista@gmail.com says
Noelle I would check on Pinterest to find a tutorial for a little girls elastic waist skirt, and I just added the ruffles with some ribbon for something extra. Good luck!