i know this post is kinda old now, but i usually work at a halloween store every year, and know just how crappy and expensive the store bought shit can be. plus, its not halloween unless it is handmade, here are some pictures of costumes i have made in the past. but, last years, 2009, did win me first place. not to toot my own horn, lol. enjoy, maybe they can give you ideas for this year, 2010. oh and yeah, i do get paid for making them, i already have someone who wants to be dead santa this year. awesome.
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my costume: 2009. Flo from Progressive Insurance.
Apron was made of a thrifted crib sheet, Progressive logo was traced on w/ pencil from a logo print-out then painted on with regular ol' acrylic paint. Name tag was another print-out i made in paint, glued onto cardboard, then given a clear coat of spray paint. The "I Love Insurance" pin was a thrifted pin, with another print-out and a clear coat.
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Dr. Girlfriend from Venture Brothers: 2009 Made from scratch and tailored for beautiful Miss Karen.
First two pictures are to short the "pill-box" like hat, made from cardboard and thrifted fabric. I glued in four large bobby-pins to be secured, I wanted to use a headband, but this work just aswell.
Third and Fourth pictures are Miss Karen modeling at home with the costume. The shirt was a tiny bit snug, and the skirt was a bit hip-y. But I like to blame that on measurements being traded over myspace since we live about 45 minutes apart. =( But the hip-y sorta worked since it was much more comfortable that way rther than when i pinned it closer to her body, you have to be comfortable on halloween!
Fifth pictures are showing the closures in back, zipper on the skirt, and velcro on the top. Also some sort of messy darts, the top was completely freehand work, and it was a bitch.
Had enough pictures YET? Sorry ladies, there is more....
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Shredder (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles): 2008 as modeled by my bf.
Ok, Helmet, Elbow Spikes, and Knee Spikes are all paper mache, staples, and silver spray paint. The face mask of the Helmet is a silver plastic-y fabric. Purple cape was thrifted material, very easily draped, the seams were basted, not even finished off properly, but you couldnt tell, thankfully. =) The shirt and Muscle shirt were also thrifted, great find on the muscle shirt since those things are so damn expensive in the stores.
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Seth from Super Bad: 2008 as modeled by Mister Aaron.
Ok, Shirt and Pants were thrifted, Shirt was painted with white fabric paint, Pants were stained with god ol' fake blood. The laundry detergent container, was OBVIOUSLY spray painted, and not very well, ha!
I was April O'Neil from the Ninja Turtles, but, I loathe the pictures, plus nothing really diy'd there, all thrifted.
OH GOD THERE IS MORE?!?!? yes, yes there is. I really love halloween.
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Gangsta Jesus and Gangsta Moses: 2007 as modeled by Bradford and Robert.
Made the robes from patterns, and a red bandanna long vest for Moses, and a blue bandanna sash for Jesus. The patterns we super simple. I actually made two styofoam tablets for Moses with Gangsta 10 Commandments. And that is when I learned spray paint melts styofoam. Ha! Even though you couldnt read them all clearly, because of the melting, it still looked cool.
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Nurse from Silent Hill: 2007 (actually my poor attempt) as worn by mua.
I am the one being groped, and the Second picture shows a little Jesus too. The Nurse costume was store bought, it is actually the exact same costume being worn by the nurse feeling me up. I spray painted it to get a worn look and remove the red cross. You cant really tell from the pictures but it was rough and blotch-y, which I wanted. The costume actually had a plaster mask, but I never wore it. I made it from a kick-ass easy, fast drying kit, and then I covered it in the same gauze I used to made the head piece. The Head Piece is panty hose and gauze sewn to my head. The mask fit under and looked cool when worn, but not cool enough for me to get someone to snap a photo I guess. Mask are no fun for halloween.
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Last but not least, I present to you Aaron, as Shaun (Shaun of the Dead) and myself as Peggy Bundy.
Shaun- Same technique for the Flo name tag, thrifted shirt covered in fake blood, but couldnt find a cricket bat, so he is the "American" version.
Peggy- Thrifted maternity shirt, sewn to fit me, and silly red hair spray.
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Hope these give you some ideas for halloween cotumes or diy projects, thanks for looking, Ghouls!
Sorry it was so long.
Taken at a party, after I put more white on
Eating Harry Potter's brain.
