Things You'll Need:
- Scissors
- Dressmaking pins
- Tailor's chalk
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Step 1
Start the costume process about a month before Halloween. That way, there's enough time to obtain a ready-made costume if something happens to the homemade creation. Be honest during the process and keep cognizant of time constraints.
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Step 2
Ask your teen if he's thought of any good concepts for a costume. It'll be no surprise to hear that many ideas are pop-culture driven. If his choice is unfamiliar, take a few moments to research and find photos on the Internet in order to come to a better understanding.
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Step 3
Determine a spending limit. Put a cap on how much the different components will cost. If there are no boundaries set from the beginning, expenses can get high. Figure out if money will come from allowance, wages or parental donation. There's usually no need to spend three figures on a costume, so be ready to say no to any extras.
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Step 4
Figure out who, exactly, will be making or buying the costume. Parents with full schedules don't want a nasty surprise two days before the big high school holiday bash. Offer to assist your teen in making the costume, or be certain that you have the time to do the work yourself before making any promises.
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Step 1
Make a list of the different components necessary, including shoes, makeup and hair. After that, formulate a list of places to shop for supplies. It's best to do all shopping in one trip to minimize confusion down the road.
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Step 2
Make use of the local thrift store to buy costume pieces. Thrift store purchases will save time, money and headaches, since the clothing is cheap and potentially disposable. Keep an eye open for old garments that have interesting trim, fabrics and designs. Keep an eye out for shoes to paint and embellish.The dollar store is another source for extras such as balloons, barrettes, accessories and certain pieces of junk clothing.
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Step 3
Go to the craft store. This is the place for fabric glue, rhinestones, paint, flowers and other trimmings. Take the different outfit components along for the ride so you can match colors and shapes. Even though it can be tempting to overbuy supplies, don't.
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Step 4
As a last resort, buy a pattern and fabric to make a costume from scratch. This is a good bet if there is a talented sewer in the home with extra time on her hands. Stitching time would be better spent altering already existing clothing.
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Step 1
Gather all pieces and lay them out on a flat surface. Make a list of what needs altering or modification. Place small things such as jewelry and wigs someplace safe but accessible.
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Step 2
Have your teen try on the different pieces together. Ask him what sticks out the most in his eyes. If he's not satisfied, he'll fuss about wearing the finished product. Make a list of things to change, and tackle the tasks in order of importance.
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Step 3
Start modifying the clothing. Before cutting, use dressmaking pins to make sure that cuts and modifications will be correct. Use a ruler and tailor's chalk to mark straight lines and to position trim before attachment. Only work on one garment at a time to avoid rushing and mistakes. Periodically fit the costume and check it against pictures.
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Step 4
Finally, fit the finished costume and try it on all together. Take a picture of your teen in the costume, show it to her, and make certain that it's satisfactory. Put the costume and all pieces away in a dry cleaning bag until use to avoid soil and loss.
