Mantra: Yes, you can design your own Hallowe'en costume! Even if you are looking at this article, saying, "eeeewh - there's no way I am going to be doing a fashion show next Hallowe'en", start out small. Convince yourself that you are just going to do one outfit, and you need to get this outfit done six months in advance; as you are going to submit photos of yourself wearing this costume to every greeting card company on the face of the planet.
Checklist for finding your objects to apply fashion alchemy to: Dig through your clothing for torn, worn, stained, and thread-bare clothing
Search for items of attire that are obviously dated (no-name labels 10+ years old)
Those craft projects you meant to finish
Those handmade gifts that are starting to fall apart
Home office supplies that you have too many of
Extra rags from your rag bag that are oil-free, tar-free, chemical-free
Worn-out sheets and linens that you don't want to mend anymore
Beat-up Hallowe'en, Thanksgiving, and Christmas decorations
Most of us will now have a large laundry basket full of material, and possibly a small plastic organizer full of things to use for our amateur hour costuming projects. These are things you own that your local charity does not even need nor want. Now you have a way to turn these things into money-savers, if not money-makers.
Tip: Obviously, a 2' x 3' rectangle makes a cape for a large child, a 3' x 4' rectangle makes a cape for an adult; however, the obvious is not necessarily what this is about. Make certain that the cape does not droop past an adult's ankles, or a child's knees. If in doubt, trim some more off during a costume fitting prior to sewing the bottom hem.
If you need the basics of costuming, that is easily done - just search through any thrift store that sells ancient patterns - .10 cents, .25 cents, maybe .50 cents, and the directions are right there. Just cut the fabric into "crazy" patchwork patterns, and you will have the most hideously disastrous attempt at fashion design ever seen in your town, perhaps your entire state. Bent paper clips make extremely stupid looking buttons, especially when bent slightly out of shape with a needle-nose plier.
Take your bent-out of shape demented genius out of the closet, and do something useful with your neglected creative subconscious. They're just rags, after all, have fun, be creative - don't be afraid, you probably have enough material for several failures.
Here's a tip: Make a rag skirt out of droopy diagonal bits, and make fun of last year's "Tinkerbelle" look.
Angie Jane Gray, BS Business and Management, member of the Stanford Cooperative, thrown off Stanford campus when Angie Gray became IMDB listed.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
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