Easy Costumes

Laura the Carrot

Long about ten years ago, Tim made his theatrical debut as the back end of a camel.

I'm not even making that up.

If there was a bright spot in this otherwise inauspicious entry into the world of drama, it was this: The costume was provided.

For many mothers costumes are hmmm, a challenge? No, more like a cross to bear, the near occasion of a panic attic or a bout of swearing, the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back.

And why is this?

Costumes almost always come hand in hand with some other Big Event. A costume and a diorama. A costume and a speech. A costume and a major holiday. You're putting together Thanksgiving dinner solo . . . and now scrounging together something a Pilgrim might have worn, maybe.

Insert primal groan reminiscent of Lurch the Butler.

A long, long time ago, I produced a few really cool costumes. I had a sewing machine, not a fancy one, but a steady Eddie kind of machine that offered a wide variety of decorative stitches.  For All Saints one year, Tim was decked out as Pope John Paul II, and his costume flat rocked.

He was an only child at the time.

We then entered a dry season. My old, rugged machine went belly up, and I had three more children. When Tim played Prospero in The Tempest, I might have stapled his cape together.

Last year Santa brought me an updated version of my old machine, and the little people progressed from babies/toddlers to little people. Once again, we are fashioning costumes.

For those challenged in the craft department, for those kindred spirits who get a note home from school, and the note just happens to mention the dreaded word Costume, and maybe your stomach begins to churn, well, sister, just relax. Let me share a cheap and easy way out.

1. Scrounge up a paint stick.

2. Buy craft foam at Walmart, Michael's, Hobby Lobby, Joanne's etc..

3. Google the animal, character, etc. and click Image to get a vision of what you might like.

4. Cut and glue the craft foam pieces together.

5. Fasten the mask to the stick with packing tape.

These masks on a stick are especially helpful for little kids who a) might not like the elastic on a real mask or b) are expected to sing while in costume.

As for the rest of the costume, estimate the child's height (shoulder to ankle) and buy double the fabric. Fold it in half long ways. Cut a hole for the head. Scrounge a belt or rope to cinch the waist.

Done!

P.S. Above all, do not even think about checking Pinterest. Your child wont; why should you?