| Five Tips for Making Your Own Costume |
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Costume parties can be fun, but at the same time, expensive. At most retail stores, the price of a costume can be $50 or more. Many people opt to skip costume parties simply because they don't have the money. Don't do that! Making your own costume is not as difficult as you may think, and it can save you a lot of money. Here are five tips for making your own costume: Tip #1: Start with a base. If you aren't a whiz at sewing, that's not a problem. Many discount stores sell the most basic costume pieces, like long black dresses or pink ball gowns. Use these cheap pieces as a starting point. From there, you can add your own details that will make the costume special, such as spider web designs with glitter paint. Tip #2: Shop for items in unusual places. Halloween stores aren't the only places you can find great costume pieces. For example, go shopping in your grandmother's closet for pieces for an old lady costume (just don't tell her that's your costume!) or look for old overalls at a thrift store for your hillbilly costume. These places are much less expensive and can help you find great articles of clothing to make your own costume. Tip #3: Think outside of the box with patterns. If you're set on sewing your own costume from scratch, patterns are the way to go. However, if you can't find a pattern for the creature you want to be, don't give up. Think outside of the box and modify patterns to make them fit your needs. For example, you can buy an Uncle Same costume pattern, use shades of green and purple instead of read, white, and blue, and create a Mad Hatter costume. Tip #4: Face paint goes a long way. When making your own costume, you don't even have to worry about your clothing if you don't want to. Instead, dress and black and use face paint for a dramatic look. With the help of a mirror and some brushes, you can turn into a skeleton, vampire, clown, mime, Frankenstein's monster, bat, or witch quite easily. Tip #5: Be thrifty and funny. Making your own costume can cause an eruption of laughter when you arrive at the party if you play your cards right. Humorous costumes usually take the least amount of time to make, and will be quite the conversation starter. Tape socks and dryer sheets to yourself and go as "static cling." Wrap yourself in tin foil and go as a baked potato. After all, costumes are supposed to be about having fun, right? At the end of the night, making your own costume is a great choice because you can stash it in the attic or throw it away without regretting all the money you spent. Instead of skipping the costume party, RSVP today and get to work making your costume! Article Written by: Peggy Schmitt |