This is a small selection of Costume Pattern Photographs courtesy of McCall’s Pattern Company.
McCall’s, Butterick and Vogue Patterns are ½ OFF everyday at Haberman Fabrics.
Halloween and creativity go hand-in-hand. Haberman Fabrics encourages creating one-of-a kind costumes, developing imagination and re-establishing Halloween as a fun, enjoyable family activity, not just another shopping trip.
“Anyone can make a costume,” assures Toby Haberman, owner of the store. “You don’t have to be a seamstress. Go for the overall effect, not perfection. It’s easier and more fun than you imagine. Be daring and inventive for everyone in the family.”
COSTUME MAKING TIPS
● Involve your child when planning and, if possible, creating the costume. Home made costumes,
simple or elaborate, show your child you care enough to share your valuable time.
● Simple fabrics, cut into basic shapes, make it easy. Patterns are available too.
● Start planning early to eliminate last minute stress.
● Use fabric for costumes to get endless options and costumes that can last for years, for younger brothers and sisters.
● Kids love to pretend. Create a “dress-up” box where costumes are always available for play, not just on Halloween.
● To add years of enjoyment to costumes, cut the body and legs longer and sew in growth tucks to let out as your kids grow.
● Make costumes large enough to accommodate extra layers underneath for warmth.
● For safety, add strips of reflective tape for nighttime visibility. Also use make-up instead of masks.
● Faux fur coats in Elmo red, Cookie Monster blue and Big Bird yellow, made with warm linings; make practical costumes for young children that are fun to wear throughout fall and winter.
● If your little one can’t decide between being a cute elephant or a might super hero, just sew a big shiny lamé “S” on the front of the costume for “Super Elephant” and add a dramatic matching cape.
● Make look-alike costumes for Mom, Dad and kids. Some patterns come in both adult and child sizes.
● Reusable Trick or Treat Bags are a fun project. Kids can make or decorate (depending on their ages) large, sturdy tote bags. Use heavy duty fabric for the bag and webbing for handles. Glue, sew or paint on decorations to coordinate with costumes. Try this free Tote Bag project:
http://www.habermanfabrics.com/proj_eco_tote.htmPOPULAR THEMESCommercial patterns come in countless designs and often include variations in the envelope. Or try drawing your own pattern on old newspapers or grid-lined pattern-making fabric. Lots of costumes won’t require patterns.
● GREEN HALLOWEEN: Save a tree-Be a tree; Be a recycle bag overflowing with recyclable Containers;
● RETRO: Indulge in your favorite decade. For a great 50’s costume, cut a circle with a waist opening in felt, then cut out and glue or fuse a poodle onto it. Or use Butterick 4113.
● ANIMALS: Be a favorite pet or go wild; or showcase an endangered species ®like panda bears.
● HALLOWEEN HALLMARKS: Wizards, witches, ghosts, goblins. Get in the spooky spirit.
● SCREEN SCENE: A chance for fame and fortune when you become your favorite performer.
● FABULOUS FANTASY: You’re a romantic beauty, a goddess, fairy or princess.
● HEROES: Honor our everyday heroes: firefighters, doctors, nurses, soldiers, and police officers.
● EXOTIC FANTASY: Harem girls, belly dancers, and genies cast Halloween spells.
● ROMANTIC COUPLES: Pick a famous couple from history or pop culture.
● FAVORITE FOODS: Pizza, fries and ice cream cones make yummy costumes.
● STORYBOOK OR TV CHARACTERS: Little ones make adorable Cookie Monsters.
●RENAISSANCE: Gowns for her. Tops and tights (yes, tights!) for him.
●INTERNATIONAL, ETHNIC or HISTORICAL COSTUMES: Try them authentic or adapt for fun.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT FABRIC can make your project easier and better.
● Craft felt is wide, economical, very easy to handle, and because edges don’t fray, there’s no need to hem. Non-sewer? Use Fabri-Tac® glue from Haberman Fabrics. It stays flexible.
● Try warm, cuddly polyester fleece for character or animal costumes. No hemming here either.
Faux furs can be wild, fun or realistic. They’re great for costumes that do double-duty as cool weather jackets and coats.
● For capes, wings and a multitude of costumes, consider satin, taffeta, lame, knit “sequins”, and sparkling organza or net (tulle). No Halloween is complete without them in varying weights, styles and colors for effective embellishment or entire costumes. Polyester satin is available with lycra for stretch and comfortable playing.
● Ornately patterned brocade is ideal for Renaissance royalty.
Because the endless fabric and trim options can be overwhelming, the
ZANY staff of sewing experts at Haberman Fabrics are ready to guide both experienced and novice costume makers. Another alternative to making your costumes is hiring a sewing professional. Haberman Fabrics’ maintains a list of excellent seamstresses in the Royal Oak store, but you will need to act quickly if you hope to find one available.
Check out Haberman Fabrics MONSTER collection of fabulous fabrics for Halloween costume making!Subscribe to our free weekly mailing list! Click here
You'll receive Haberman Fabrics "love letters"; our instant email updates about classes and events, new merchandise arrivals, sales and more.
