Costumes of Halloween's Past

For the last four Halloweens, I have made my daughter a homemade costume. Since I JUST finished this year's costume today, I thought it would be fun to look back at four year's worth of Halloween costume fun!

Many people ask me why I make her costume every year instead of purchasing them...and honestly, I have a couple of reasons for doing so. Reason number one is that store bought costumes are often times very expensive. I spend my fair share of money on silly things, but I cannot seem to justify spending up to $50 dollars for a costume that is worn for a whopping two hours. Reason number two is that, most of the time, I am disappointed in the lack of costume options available at the stores. And of course, reason number three is that Halloween gives me an excuse to be crafty and hang out at the fabric store...one of my (secret) favorite past times! So, let's jump right in with the costumes of Halloween's Past...

2009 (AKA 1st Halloween) Ladybug

For this costume, I used black and red tulle to create a tutu. I also dressed her in red and black tights and a red onesie that I painted with black polka dots

2010 Cindy Lou Who

We decided on Cindy Lou Who this year because my Dad thought she looked just like the cartoon version of her every time I would put her hair in pigtails. My Step Mom helped me sew a smock dress out of pink felt like fabric, and she wore red bows in her pigtails and carried a Grinch doll. The Grinch doll came in handy when people asked the golden question "what is she supposed to be?"

2011 Snow White

This was the first year that Felicity had a say in what she wanted to be for Halloween, and of course she picked a Disney princes...Snow White to be exact. My husband (who takes Halloween a little too seriously at times) tried to convince her to be Cinderella instead, because he couldn't picture a blonde Snow White! Haha! I had to remind him that she wasn't trying out for a part in the upcoming Snow White film, just going Trick or Treating. :) For this costume, I made a long tutu out of yellow tulle and pinned red, blue and yellow felt flowers that I made onto a red shirt. Felicity also carried a red apple with her on Halloween night.

2012 Peacock

This year, I asked Felicity what she wanted to be for Halloween and she replied "a peacock." I honestly have no idea where she came up with that one, and I also had no idea how I was going to manage to make a peacock costume. Of course, I scanned Pinterest for some inspiration and was able to come up with some direction. I created a half tutu that is open in the front and forms a tail in the back. I started with brown tulle on the sides and blended into a variety of blues and green. I then tied some peacock feathers into the tulle. The tutu looks super cute when she walks, it sort of humps up in the back like a real peacock's feathers! I also created a headband for her to wear using two feathers. She will be wearing the tutu and headband with brown leggings and a blue turtle neck shirt. I will also paint a design around her eyes using blue and green face paint. I will be sure to post a picture of the whole costume together once Trick or Treating is all said and done this year!

So, tell me...do you make your kid's costumes or purchase them? What have you or your kids been for Halloween in the past? Discuss in the comments!

P.S. How crazy is it to see how much a child has grown and changed just by looking through old Halloween pictures!! Time definitely flies :)

Linking up with The DIY Showoff and My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia and Savvy Southern Style