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Easy costume ideas
By Janet Simons, News Staff Writer

A bobbin:

(a) pulls a one-horse sleigh.

(b) holds back bangs.

(c) feeds out thread on a sewing machine.

The correct answer, of course, is (c). But even if you don't know a seam ripper from a snowplow and think selvage is something that goes into a septic system, you can make your child's Halloween costume.

Think of it. You won't be at the mercy of retailers who run out of Pikachu costumes three days before your 4-year-old tells you that's the only thing he wants to be. You won't have to insist that last year's Tweety Bird outfit is just fine.

If you've never set foot in a fabric store, you don't know that they're repositories for many useful items for the craft-impaired. Such as? How about fusible fabrics that can be ironed together - a sophisticated version of those iron-on denim patches your mother used for patching the knees of your jeans. And foam, vinyl, felt and fake fur that can be cut out and glued with a great new invention - fabric glue. And Velcro tape. And costumes that are imprinted on fabric so all you have to do is cut them out and glue them together. And even preassembled costumes, masks and witches' hats.

Worried that a costume won't hold together if you use glue instead of stitches? Remember, costumes have to survive only one day and one night.

A little sewing would be helpful, however, if you want to reuse the clothing that forms the basis for the costume.

"If you don't care if you hold onto the costume after Halloween, I'm all in favor of glue," said Kathryn Severns of Kathryn Severns Designs Inc., who created the three costumes pictured. "But if you want to reuse the sweat pants and sweat shirts, use some basic basting hand stitches to attach the decorations. That way you can remove the decorations after Halloween without ruining the fabric."

And if you can understand a simple pattern and sew in a straight line, either by hand or by machine, you could probably crank out McCall's new Pikachu pattern (No. 2511) within a couple of hours. The body of the yellow Pokemon is basically a sack. It wouldn't take much skill to make it, even without a pattern, Severns says.

"Just take a huge rectangle of fabric and sew a casing (hem) on the top and bottom," Severns said. "Then fold the rectangle in half and sew up the sides, leaving holes for the arms. Run a ribbon through the casing and gather the fabric, leaving a neck opening, and cut leg holes. You can use anything to stuff it - pieces of clothing, batting, newspaper. Finish it off with a turtleneck and tights."

Severns suggests that you eliminate the hunt for a mask and complete a costume with face paint. It's safer because vision isn't impaired by small eyeholes, and the supply is virtually unlimited at hobby shops, toy stores and discount stores.

Severns started her shopping at Goodwill, where she was surprised to find complete costumes and masks as well as inexpensive T-shirts and such to use in making original costumes. Garage sales and other thrift stores also are good places to shop. Consignment stores that specialize in children's clothing usually have a good supply of costumes, both handmade and commercial.

Capes, boas, plastic swords and armor, tiaras, devil horns, scythes and face glitter are all commonly found at hobby stores, party shops, discount stores and toy stores. Wizard's Chest, an independent toy and game store at 230 Fillmore St., in Cherry Creek North, specializes in costumes and costume supplies. If your child wants to portray a professional athlete, do your shopping at a store that sells team sports jerseys.

"The key is to tie your children's costumes to what their interests are," Severns said. "If they haven't decided yet, sit down with them and go through some magazines. Ask them what their favorite movie or television show is."