Generations ago, there wasn't the option kids have today to walk into practically any retail store, point to a complete Halloween costume, fork over some cash (from mom or dad's wallet, of course) and be on their way. Instead, moms or grandmothers would start week's in advance, measuring, sewing and measuring again for the family tike looking to outdo his costume (and his friends) from the year before.
Has the art of the homemade costume faded into a distant memory? We lifted rocks, peered behind trees and climbed a proverbial flagpole or two in search of finding someone, anyone that still believes in making versus buying for this annual event. Here's what some folks had to say:
"It's a lot of fun looking at common materials and finding ways to transform them into a wearable costume," says Gary Frisch, dad to Jordan and Jillian of Laurel Springs, New Jersey.
"I usually begin the first or second week of October, so I don't have to do a rush job. I'm somewhat of a perfectionist. I suppose I like to make the costumes because I don't want to spend the money on the commercial variety," he adds, citing that the [cost of ] materials do add up.
Sabrina Paynter of Walnut Creek, California is also a strong supporter of the homemade costume variety. Paynter makes costumes every year for her young niece and nephew. "It generally takes me one day to make both of their costumes and I try to make sure to have all of my fabrics and supplies by the beginning of October so the kids have plenty of time to use the costumes for various Halloween themed events throughout the month," she says.
In our search for finding folks that make costumes for their little ones, we came across a mom that sits on both sides of the Halloween costume fence. "I usually do not buy my kids their Halloween costumes at the stores, nor do I make them with a sewing machine. Rather, I try to encourage my kids to be creative," says Anne Giberson, a mom to some of the world's most adorable kids (No, seriously. Check out her blog after you finish reading this article).
"We look at the stuff we already have around the house and then we take a trip to Goodwill. Of course, we do supplement from the Halloween stores from time to time to score the perfect scary mask or the odd rat accessory, but I love the old school way of creating costumes best," Giberson adds.
Sewing teacher and pattern maker, Wendi Gratz of Penland, North Carolina says, "I'm pretty passionate
about keeping the art of sewing alive. Halloween is a great opportunity for that. I always made my own costumes, with help, as a kid and my husband made his too; mostly because it's way more fun than buying one! Also, the quality of a homemade costume is always better. Store bought costumes are almost never washable and almost always itchy."
Proving that kids can make great costumes with a little guidance, Wendi's daughter Jo made the Sally costume from A Nightmare Before Christmas this year. "I drafted the pattern, but she did all the sewing," says Gratz. "She also tea-dyed the fabric to get the colors right and drew or appliqued the polka dots and stripes to more accurately match the costume in the movie." Impressive, we say!
Casey Slide, a mom in Sugar Hill, Georgia and author for the Money Crashers personal finance blog, recalls costumes her mom made for her and her sister. "Having a homemade costume from my mother made me feel extra special since no one ever had my exact costume. Not only do I value a unique costume, but now that I'm a mother myself, I can appreciate how much money I can save on Halloween costumes making them for my son."
So there you have it. Despite the ease of just walking into a store and choosing a mass produced costume, Americans are still keeping the art of Halloween costume making alive. Have a fond memory of your own Halloween costume as a kid? Leave it in the comments section below.
Shannon Duffy is the Palm Springs Parenting Editor and co-author of the YA book, Stormy Knight: Prom Queen of the Undead - currently available for only .99 in e-book format. Have a story or event you'd like covered? Or are you a company with a family related product you'd like reviewed or tested? She can be reached at ParentingEditor@yahoo.com
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