Halloween Hacks and a Treat for YOU

Today I am participating in the Swoodson Says Halloween Hacks tour!

 It's all about using everyday PDF patterns to create Halloween costumes. Hacking a pattern (or two, or three!) to create your costume gives you a look that is totally your own. Sure, you can go pick up a McCall's or Simplicity costume pattern. (and I have!) But, what if you want your little tricker treater to truly stand out or there simply isn't a pattern for the costume your little gem wants to be? Then, pattern hacking is for you!

Today I am going to share with you my nephew's costume. He wanted to be Captain America for Halloween and I knew I could deliver.

Can you guess which patterns I used?

When I saw Mac's Monster Shirt by Cole's Creations, I knew it was PERFECT for Captain American's shirt! For the pants, I used Peek-a-Boo's  Alex and Ann's Winter PJs.

(I am having issues with the color of my images changing upon uploading. I appologize for their inconsistency. Some images appear muted in color and other orangey and very contrasted.)

In the mid west, the weather around late October is very unpredictable. It is most often cold though, and a little wet. Because of this, I used fleece for the entire set to keep my nephew warm and toasty while he runs door to door adding to his candy stash.

I created the red and white striped fleece by cutting strips of fleece 2 1/2" wide and sewing them together. I did topstitch the seams to keep them from irritating his skin. Then, I just used it like purchased fabric. The star is a piece of white fleece cut out and sewn to the center of the shirt.

For his gauntlets, I used fleece again. I simply measured his arms to see how long to make them and then, traced the lower part of the sleeves pattern from Mac's Monster Shirt to that length, flaring out one side slightly to create my pattern piece. The ends are left raw because the fleece won't fray. Love fleece! The gauntlets simply slide up over the bottoms of his sleeves.

To make the look of the layered sleeve, I cut out the long sleeve option of the tee and decided visually how long I wanted the blue section (It's about an inch and a half longer than the short sleeve option of the pattern.). I drew a line at that point on the sleeve pattern piece and cut it out. While cutting out the fabric, I simply added a 1/4" seam allowance to both the new top and bottom portions of the sleeve pattern pieces along the line I created. I sewed the two pieces together to create one sleeve and then continued on as the directions in the pattern state for attaching the sleeve. Easy peasy and no bulkiness!

Clearly, he can move and run freely as Captain America. You get a little peak at the bottom of his shoe covers here. I have a tutorial on those is in the works They are super easy to make and because they are fleece, you don't need to hem them and they stay up really well on their own.

The shield and hat were purchased at a Halloween store. Perfect little accents to his handmade costume.

I am super happy about how this costume came together! What's even better is he can use it throughout the year for pajamas or he can even wear the shirt with jeans for an every day look. Bam! (as my son would say) That is a SUPER Halloween costume hack!

Be sure to check out the other great blogs sharing their Halloween Hacks!

Wednesday, October 1st: Rebekah Sews & Dog Under My Desk

Thursday, October 2nd: Friends Stitched Together & Sew Pandi

Friday, October 3rd: That's What She Crafted & Everything Your Mama Made & More

Monday, October 6th: Shawnta Sews & Handmade Boy

Tuesday, October 7th: Muse of the Morning & Swoodson Says

Wednesday, October 8th: Call Ajaire & Sew McCool

Thursday, October 9th: Once Upon A Sewing Machine  & imagine gnats

Friday, October 10th: The Sewing Geek & Feather's Flights

Monday, October 13th: Get Your Crap Together & Needle and Ted

Tuesday, October 14th: The Shaffer Sisters & The Inspired Wren

Wednesday, October 15th: Pattern Revolution & Just Joshin

Now it's time for the TREAT! It's a digital scavenger hunt! Go to each participating blog and search for this icon

within their September posts to sign up for a chance to win one of THREE awesome sewing prize packs!  Three winners will be chosen randomly (and their form completion verified) and emailed within 3 days of the hunt's closure.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A big thank you to all the sponsors who donated prizes!
Pack 1 { $30 to The Ribbon Retreat +2 patterns from GYCT Designs + 1 pattern from Dog Under My Desk}
Pack 2 {$30 to The Fabric Fairy + Kids Pattern Package from imagine gnats}
Pack 3 {$30 to Fat Quarter Shop + 2 patterns from Everything Your Mama Made & More +Ramblin' Raglan Mega Pattern Pack from Muse of the Morning}