Why I Sew Costumes

I am a bad sewer...I would never ever lead anyone to believe that I could possibly make something with a sewing machine that should be worn in public.
Except for halloween costumes....

I get that halloween is a bit of a controversial event in some circles, but I like it. We have a neighbourhood of aging people and my kids are the ONLY kids in our block that go out. We might get a couple of teenagers knocking at the door, but that's it. It brings great joy for our elderly neighbours to see the kids all dressed up in a fun costume and give them some candy (handfuls, bucketfuls usually because they know no one else is coming).

There's nothing like the smell and feel of the once-annual use of my sewing machine that used to be my grandmothers. I pull it out of the furnace room (it's baby blue) and it runs like a dream as soon as I put my foot to the pedal. The smell is a cross between sewing oil, mildew and a fabric store. I breathe it in deeply...and then cough!

Here are the rules in our house regarding Halloween and costumes...

1. If I make it, I get to pick what you are being. This is very true. If I am going to sit at a sewing machine for hours and then walk around the neighbourhood with you, then I'm going to like what you are.

This started years ago when we just had the 2 boys. My best costume ever for them was when Ethan was Colonel Sanders and Nolan was the plump juicy chicken.
This is a bad photo of it, but you can see the Colonel in his white suit, black ribbon tie and moustache. The chicken refused to get in the bucket for us, but I just love his yellow juicy legs...if only I had some herbs and spices...

The kids have also been the three blind mice, cowboys, knights and a princess etc.

2. I must always ALWAYS sew with fleece. Because it's warm and Halloween is cold.

3. I must always ALWAYS sew with fleece. Because it's extremely forgiving and you cannot see your seams (hence it doesn't matter what colour your thread is, so use up all those old bobbins.)

4. I must alway ALWAYS sew with fleece. Because it doesn't fray so there are no hems required.

5. I must be inspired with a costume idea or it's a no go. Like the year I was pregnant with Jack and the kids wore their camo pants and I painted their faces green and they went as soldiers.

6. This is the only time I would let anyone in public with a costume I made on them...why, you ask? Because when you go out for Halloween, it's dark.

So that's why I sew costumes. I bet you're dying to know what the kids are going to be this Friday. Well I'm not going to tell you...but it's a good one. Not as good as the Colonel and the chicken but close. When I'm done I'll put them on the kids and post a pic for you to see....but you'll have to wait until Friday!