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Inspiration, Directions and Patterns to Sew Halloween & Stage Costumes

Sew Halloween & Stage Costumes

By Debbie Colgrove, About.com

Halloween, school plays, church and group productions wouldn't be the same without costumes. Your sewing skill don't have to be perfect, fun and creativity rule when making a costume.
Browse these ideas and use your imagination to create a costume that will be remembered for years.

1. Sew Clown Collar and Cuffs for a Clown Costume

How to Sew a Clown CollarDebbie Colgrove, Licensed to About.com
Use these free directions to transform a sweat suit or pajamas in to a clown costume and have usable clothing when Halloween is over. Decorate the costume with removable fabric pompoms that match your collar.

2. Pattern and Directions to Sew a Clown Hat

Sew a Clown HatDebbie Colgrove, Licensed to About.com
A clown hat is not a complicated project. These free step by step directions make sewing a clown hat easy. Dress it up with fabric pompoms.

3. Sew a Tutu For a Ballerina Costume

Sew a Ballerina CostumeDebbie Colgrove, Licensed to About.com
Sew a tutu for a simple ballerina costume! Tulle is very inexpensive so adding a tutu to a body suit and tights will not break the bank. You'll find free step by step directions here.

4. Pirate Costume Skirt Pattern and directions

Pirate SkirtDebbie Colgrove, Licensed to About.com
My daughter was a pirate in a school production. After scouring the thrift stores we could not find an appropriate skirt. So we designed one... and a spare that was used by another pirate. You'll find free directions to design any size pirate skirt here.

5. Free Pattern and Directions to Sew A Pirate Eye Patch

Pirates and Clown CostumesDebbie Colgrove, Licensed to About.com
The local thrift store for the clothing, cutting ragged edges to the clothing, a plastic sword and an eye patch create a simple pirate costume. Add glued on glitter to buckles and sew on gold trim to make the costume sparkle. Don't hesitate to try you hand at the free pirate skirt directions for a female pirate.

6. How to Sew a Nun Habit Costume Pattern

One of the most commonly asked about costume is a Nun's Habit. Unfortunately I have not seen a pattern for one since sometime before 2005. Necessity being the mother of invention, I went on a search. Although I didn't find a child's nun costume, I did find a few "convertible" options.

7. Viewer Submitted Costume Gallery

Raggedy Ann & Andy by Judy AkersJudy Akers, Licensed to About.com
Gather ideas and inspiration from the costumes others have made. You'll find pictures and a brief description of how each costume was made.

If you've made a great costume and would like to share your experience,Submit Your Halloween Costumes to Inspire Others

8. Costume Foot Covering

Sew Costume Foot CoveringsDebbie Colgrove, Licensed to About.com
Cowboys need boots, pirates need black boots, a dragon needs foot coverings to match the costume... but who wants to break the bank to have that total look? Not me! Try your hand at using fabric to cover the shoes and continue the costume to the floor.

9. Pajamas To Dinosaur Costume

Convert a PJ PatternDebbie Colgrove, Licensed to About.com
A simple conversion to a basic pajama pattern will make a dinosaur or tailed animal costume ... a probably be a favorite pair of pajamas even when they are outgrown. Follow theses directions to learn how.

10. Felt Costume Aprons

School Christmas Mouse Vest ApronDebbie Colgrove, Licensed to About.com
Costume aprons are a great way to mass produce costumes for school and church performances. The method described here allows the costumes to be used year after year and fit almost anyone in a size range.

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