child catcher halloween costume

yes

i know

halloween is in the past

and we have moved rapidly on to

the next big holiday

but

i want to share something

i am not a seamstress

there was that one quarter of sewing

in jr. high school

where we made pillows and wrap skirts

really, i don't even know 

how to sew

legitimately

but 

i do it anyway

i act unafraid

i improvise

i'm sharing with you

so you understand

it is possible

with little or no training

combined

with a bit of creative thinking

anyone can make

these costumes

for the child catcher coat

i used simplicity pattern 5386--closed the back and didn't add the collar or cuffs

i cut the sleeve pattern as prescribed, then pinned parchment paper to it, and fashioned it around my arm to the desired shape...and cut the parchment to match. opened it up..and had a new sleeve pattern.

all of the colors and patterns, are added on top of the the original coat giving it heft.  i made this in one afternoon

the glove is a black glove with a piece of oasis duck-taped on it. the lollipops are simply stuck and hot glued.

for the planet of the apes costume

i used butterick pattern  b4574--instead of an open collar for the shirt, i kept it closed and added a rolled collar, and hemmed the shirt cuff rather than adding elastic.  from the same pattern, i was able to make the vest--eliminating the cap sleeves and shortening it to hit at the hip.  the vest is made of pleather. i was able to make the ridges by taking strips of the pleather hot-gluing 1/4" cording down the center, then sewing the strips onto the vest.  the ammo belt is also pleather, with a covering of fishnet. 

i know this all seems rather simplified...but it is to make a point

it is rather simple

the work with sewing

is in the preparation

much like carpentry

measure twice

cut once

prepare your materials

pay attention to the directions

and

don't sweat it

i doubt anyone will criticize your costume

while you are handing them candy

i hope you had a great halloween

and 

aren't freaked by the notion

that 

christmas is only 52 days away

Happy Halloween

tonight

we are going to the home of a friend

who lives in one of those great neighborhoods

one where the kids come from all over los angeles to trick or treat 

because apparently

miley, the jonas boys and several other "celebrities" live there

it is safe

the homes are all decorated

and 

 everyone dresses up

i love it

and i work the door

 those kids who really make an effort

on their costume

get a big candy bar

but the ones who wear a baseball cap

and say

i'm a fan

or a laker jersey

and say

i'm kobe

get candy from the grab bag

for the record

i

do not believe

that you are ever too old to trick or treat

but if you are in college

and can't get it together to put on a costume

that looks like a costume

 not a tshirt that says

this is my costume

then what you get from me

is a piece of paper that says

this is my treat

i'm all about the effort

hubster and i dress up

i make the costumes

and he does the scary makeup

last year we were

the hunchback of notre dame and a peacock

beauty and the beast, if you will

this year is a secret

have a fun and safe night!