a mummy's brew

This year Davyn said he wanted to be something "pooky" for Halloween.  And the big brother quickly agreed.  And the mom was well-pleased. 

Until the horrifying experience of looking at price tags. One child-sized mummy costume at the Halloween store: $50. Ya, it was cool. But, $50??! A vampire came with a much lighter $20 tag. But my dander was up after the first, and I decided to make & make do.  

Plus, it was well past time to get over my first homemade Halloween costume fiasco.  Aidan was one, and  I had zero sewing experience (unless you count 8th grade Home Ec, which I don't), complete & unfounded confidence (a dangerous combo), and visions of a turtle shell dancing in my head.

This is what happened:Yes, he had a cute little body.  But the costume screamed "homemade", and not in the good way. 

So I've stuck to the store bought in shame and am finally ready to change my spendy ways (okay, Jim is definitely rolling his eyes right now). 

Vampire costume: $4 for make-up, fake blood & fangs; tuxedo pants and black bow tiefrom Jenna's wedding; white button up shirt from Sunday wardrobe; black cape borrowed from Mandi; bloodsucking stances provided by D.

Mummy costume: $8 long johns (which I can probably claim as free since I've yet to repay Cyn for buying them in Utah...have you ever tried to buy long johns in the valley in the fall?); one king sized tattered white sheet from Kay.

I'm thinking $12 beats $70.  And how.

As I write, the mummy rags are steeping in a tea bath.  Because I have a boy who insists that the wraps "needs to look old".  And I'm wondering about their attaching...pretty positive it won't involve a sewing machine.  My own sewing surety may be shattered, but he has complete confidence in my costuming capacity. 

We'll see how it all wraps up tomorrow.  

Comments

[Katie A.]

Well, I think your turtle costume is ADORABLE! I could never take on such a task...although I did make my own Halloween costume a couple years ago--the skirt anyway, which consisted of wrapping one of our old curtains around me and tacking it in place with a quick stitch! It worked. I cannot wait to see pictures of your mummy and vampire. They certainly sound "pooky."

Mike's boys are always something trendy, like a Power Ranger or Spiderman. The costumes are neat and even complete with built-in muscles, but they just don't compare to the home-made classics, if you ask me.

[Shanon]

I loved the turtle! Can't wait to see the costumes this year. Good luck!

[Neighbor Jane Payne]

"he has complete confidence in my costuming capacity" . . . as do I, as do I, if it's anything like your ability to tell a story or cook or decorate a cake.

[lelly]

i love the turtle! i used coffee to dye a jedi tunic a few years ago. and just this morning, i was fondly reminiscing about the mummy costume i made for jack way back.

it breaks my heart a little that he is so excited to have a "buyable" costume this year... BUT, i am trying to focus on how relieved i actually am!

[Tiffany]

I can't wait to see what the boys look like!

I love the turtle costume--you shouldn't ever think it's "not in the good way"! All mom-made costumes are special (in a very good way).

For the kids I make a few random costume pieces here and there, use what I can, and buy a few things. It's a mix-mash at our home. Whatever is easiest is what happens here!

[Lucy]

I agree. I think the turtle costume is much better than you give it credit for. I have never "made" my boys costumes. They always want to be a certain thing, like Darth Vader or Optimus Prime, so I get to strut my skills as a savvy online shopper!

I think you've come up with some pretty creative costumes for very little moolah!

[Rachel]

Vampire Costume... $4. Mummy Costume...$8. The look on your little's face when you "wrap" them all up...Priceless.

Love it. And I thought you were being too hard on yourself about the costume...I was thinking, "Now that is the cutest little bug I've seen." Then I read that is was a turtle. Still cute, even with a little saggy shell. He looks pleased as punch about it. They have every reason to have faith in your costume making abilities.

[Mandi]

I, too, have complete confidence in your costume-making abilities. I'm so excited to see our "SCARY" kids (minus the snow-princess).

[carlo]

oh how sweet! love the turtle!

can't wait to see the end results.

[Megan]

You are so cool. Can't wait to see the costumes all put together and fabulous.

[Marie]

They will be brilliant! I have complete costuming confidence aswell.


Way to go on the economical costumes too!

[Annalisa]

I want to see the finished product! I think the turtle costume looks cute. And those mummy shreds will look so much cooler and old if they are tied right? You want to make me vampire costume? I wanted to be a vampire this year (to go to school and get the kids excited for Halloween) but couldn't scrounge up enough vampiresqe wear.

[michelle]

The tea dyeing was definitely just the right touch. Such a cute little mummy! Way to score on the costumes -- I think I only spent $8 this year, on a lightsaber, that is definitely a record for us.