Handmade Halloween Costumes

Come with me to the Emerald City. No, not really! But how about on a journey to sew a Glinda the Witch of the North Halloween costume from a pattern? I don’t know why but I have a thing about making my kid’s Halloween costumes. I haven’t made them every year for the same reasons that most people probably don’t. You can buy pretty good ones now -- not like the crazy plastic ones they had when we were kids -- and honestly, sewing a costume can take a lot of time. But I like to make things when I can and to me, Halloween is the best time to try and sew garments because if they don’t come out perfect, who cares?

So this year, we are in a make-your-own year, and we are doing Glinda for my six-year-old. I’m a little concerned about the commitment factor for my two-year-old so we’ll get to her costume when we get closer to Halloween.

However, Glinda is a constant passion for my oldest. She loves the Wizard of Oz and the musical Wicked even more, so I know there will be no turning back. She’s been talking about being Glinda for Halloween since January when we saw her descend from the sky in Wicked.

We’re going to do a tweaked version of the dress on the bottom right.


Two years ago we made a princess costume – no princess in particular – just a straight up yellow princess dress. Let’s just say it was challenging and didn’t quite look like the picture (ahem). With two more years of sewing under my belt, I’m hoping for better success. And she is really into the process this year so that makes it so much more fun. But it already looks daunting - - so that is why I’m starting in early September.


First lesson learned from princess dress #1: Start way earlier than you think you have to.

Second lesson learned from princess dress #2: Buy the pattern in advance and write down exactly how much fabric and what notions (elastic, ribbons, buttons, etc.) you need. Do not try to read it and calculate the measurements in the store with two kids begging you to buy random buttons and candy. You have been warned that no matter how good a multi-tasker you think you are, if you do this, you will be back in the store several times.

Next up, buying fabric and cutting the pattern pieces. Stay tuned.

-- Crafty Mom