Trick or Treat!- Mime Costume Complete

Okay, so I didn't mean to rhyme the title, but once it was up I just decided to leave it.

I have very few personal titles, but one that has held true through the years is "World's Worst Procrastinator".  I am horrible about it.  That's why my going to school online is like a circus at the end of the semester (rushing to cram everything in), and why Halloween costumes sometimes aren't finished until Halloween.

This year, Kai wanted to be a Mexican Wrestler after seeing the cover of "Nacho Libre".  No problem.... done.  Cam wanted to come up with his own Harry Potter costume... got it.  Scarlett, however, was going to be a mime.

Do you know how hard it is to find a black and white striped shirt for a little girl?  One that is plain without Minnie Mouse, some kind of heart, or cutesy saying?  Impossible.  Impossible unless you are willing to pay designer prices and special order something that you've never even seen.  Call me thrifty, call me cheap, I just decided that rather than deal with that funk... I'd just make it myself.

Ordered the knit striped fabric from Etsy, got some sparkly red sequined elastic trim from Joann's, and pulled out some tulle from my stash.

The end result?

I can't believe I didn't take more pictures, but I do have some videos (if I can figure out how to post one, I will). 

The shirt was completely my own pattern.  I LOVE how it came out.  I don't know how to describe it other than a semi-cowlneck/mock turtleneck.  I plan on buying more knit fabric and recreating it for a tutorial. 

The tutu was made out of 3/4" elastic that was 1" shorter than her waist measurement and the ends sewn together.  After that, I made the tutu the same way that I did on my "Ribbon Tutu-rial".  (See Tutorial section above for link.)  Alternated the colors for a cute stripe-like effect.

The suspenders were the trim material that I talked about above.  I got grumpy about not being able to locate clips that were affordable, until I came across some ironing board cover clips.  PERFECT!  I got a package of 6 for the same cost as a pack of 2 at Joann's.  (Both are at Joann's.)  Cut the elastic off the ironing board clips and sewed the elastic trim on.  Used an "o" keyring at the "y" joint in the suspenders.  Thank goodness that elastic suspenders are super forgiving.  I only had to measure and sew once.  Yay!

The black leggings were purchased at Old Navy.  And her gloves were a set of $1 cheap-o winter gloves.  So funny trying to watch her put candy into her bag.  Poor girl needed help every time.

Oh, and the hairbows were made out of felt.  I used this tutorial from "C.I.N.O."

Hope you all had a happy and safe Halloween!

Gearing up for Halloween- Mexican Wrestling Costume

Kai came up to me a few months ago and handed me the cover to "Nacho Libre", saying, "I love this guy, he's a superhero."  So I decided to make him a Mexican Wrestler for Halloween. 

I have to admit, it is definitely one of the more interesting things I've sewn!

Here is the completed outfit.  I didn't photograph him with the forearm bands, but they're red with yellow lightning bolts to match his lightning bolt cape:

And here's one of the first pictures I took before I had added the velcro the the mask and started on the bodysuit (I've fixed the point above the nose on the mask):

Also been working on a few couponing trips.  I went out and did a few separate trips.  It was a high OOP (out of pocket), but I think the overall savings were awesome!

Target and Publix- $72.96

CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid- $77.07

CVS- $42.38

We are stocked up on laundry detergent for the foreseeable future, as well as ready to battle colds and change poopy butts.  I'm kind of liking the coupon thing.  It's almost like playing some kind of game.  Staring to build up a little teeny stockpile.  It's not much, but it's something.