halloween Archives

Lucinda November 6, 2012

Zombies Like to Sew, You Know…

This year for Halloween, we took a cue from a shared favorite TV show for our costume inspiration – The Walking Dead. It started with going back and forth on different “couples costumes” we could do: Princess Leia and Han Solo, Decker and Rachel, Sid and Nancy. Since time and budgets were tight, we decided to fall back on the zombie idea we had from last year, except with a twist. I’d be the zombie, he’d be a zombie survivor.

I think his favorite part of the costume was the toy gun he bought a month in advance – seriously. Boys will be boys, always.

Zombie looooove.

I was having a bad hair day…

This is the skirt I made for my “Zombie Housewife” costume. It’s from Vogue 8749 and is simply a circle skirt that comes in three different lengths. This was my first time working with plaid (eek!) but it turned out pretty well, considering that the skirt was intended to be only for this costume. I think I had an issue with the fabric being off-grain when I cut out the pieces and should have tugged the opposite corners to get the fabric back on-grain. Plus, I think the bias contributed to some wonky stuff happening after I cut out the pattern pieces. Instead, my plaids curve at the waist instead of being straight, but hey. It’s a costume.

Look at that matching plaid

I tried some new couture techniques based on what I learned from Gertie’s book as well as Claire Shaeffer’s Couture Sewing Techniques (review to come this week!). Being my first time sewing plaid, it seemed easier to sew a hand-picked zipper and not risk the plaid shifting. I loved it! It was much easier and not as intimidating as I thought it would be. I also used a grosgrain ribbon waistband facing, a finish that’s used in Chanel garments. Nothing wrong with a little zombie couture.

After winning Best Costume at the party, I don’t know how we’re going to top this next year. If I start way in advance, maybe I can get those Princess Leia and Han Solo costumes whipped up in time. I’m thinking June…

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Lucinda October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween! Pattern Review: Simplicity 2054 [Grim Reaper]

Pattern: Simplicity 2054 (View A)
Fabric: poly knit from Joann Fabrics
Size: 10/12

Tights: iParty
Boots: Michael Kors

No, this isn’t my zombie Halloween costume I’ve been working on, but instead a costume to wear to work today (you know, zombies aren’t a work-place friendly costume. Blood and everything). After seeing Sarah’s Grim Reaper costume, it seemed like a quick and easy idea to whip up. The most challenging part was getting the makeup right. Sadly, I didn’t make any little children scared today but I did get some gasps and double takes from customers.

As far as sewing the pattern goes, the only part I needed the instructions for was the construction of the cowl scarf. Other than that, it’s a simple straight up-and-down long sleeve knit dress. If I was to make this again (out of a cozy sweater knit or something), I’d do a complete size 10 instead of a 10 graded into a 12 – it was little baggy and I like my knit dresses fitted. A belt I had in my closet was an easy solution.

The cowl also double as a fabulous hood.

What are your Halloween plans? Did you get rained/blown away by Sandy and have parties later this week? My Halloween party is Saturday night, so I’ll definitely post pictures next week of my real costume, complete with a “zombie survivor” boyfriend that I’ll try to attack all night long.

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Lucinda October 20, 2012

Saturday Stitching

My sister couldn’t make it up for the sister-weekend we’ve been planning (she’s been really sick for the past three weeks), so I started making my Halloween costume this afternoon. If you haven’t seen my Twitter updates, I’m going as a zombie housewife this year and my boyfriend is going as a zombie survivor (he bought a cowboy hat and shotgun a la The Walking Dead).

The skirt is a simple circle skirt pattern but it’s my first time sewing with plaid, eek! I’m pretty happy with how it turned out even though the alignment of the intersections isn’t exactly perfect…I think I had some issues with the fabric being off grain when I cut out the pattern pieces. All that’s left is the hem and some hand-stitching inside. See that green? That’s a grosgrain ribbon waistband technique that I tried out from Claire Shaeffer’s Couture Sewing Techniques (psst it’s the October book for the Sewing Book Club).

Ok, now I need to finish that Carnac sweater! Happy crafting!

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Lucinda October 31, 2011

Ooo Foxy Lady!

If there’s anything I’ve learned about me and Halloween this year, it’s that I can’t pick my costume six weeks ahead of time since I always seem to change my mind. Such is the case with this year: I originally decided to go as a zombie, and then at the last minute I got the idea that it would be cute to go as a fox instead. Here’s my pattern for quick, 2-hour fox ears in case you’re in the same predicament this Halloween.

Quick-as-a-Fox Ears

MATERIALS:

Yarn

A: 1 skein Quince and Co Osprey in Nasturtium

B: 1 skein Classic Elite Lush in Natural

Needles

US 10.5 DPNs

Notions

Yarn needle

Plastic headband

Gauge
4 sts = 1″

DIRECTIONS:

CO 20 sts with yarn A. Join to form round and place marker to indicate beginning of round.

K 3 rounds

Shaping

K 9 sts, k2tog, k 7 sts, k2tog

K 1 round

K 8 sts, k2tog, k 6 sts, k2tog

K 1 round

K 7 sts, k2tog, k 5 sts, k2tog

K 6 sts, k2tog, k 4 sts, k2tog

K 5 sts, k2tog, k 3 sts, k2tog

K 4 sts, k2tog, k 2 sts, k2tog

K 3 sts, k2tog, k 1 st, k2tog

K2tog for entire round. Break yarn, leaving a 5″ tail.

Thread tail through remaining stitches and pull to close opening. Weave in end.

Thread yarn needle with yarn B. Using duplicate stitch, start Inner Ear Pattern two stitches in from edge of ear.

Inner Ear Pattern

Repeat above steps for other ear

FINISHING:

Position ears on headband according to preference, making sure to wrap opening of ear over headband. Using a whip-stitch, sew ears to headband and close ear opening.

Happy Halloween!