The Part of Thirteens

Old-Fashioned Costumes

"Some costumes require only creative ingenuity.  Put on your thinking cap and brainstorm a little.  Sometimes a visit to the local thrift store will start your creative juices rolling on what to become.  Even if you have decided what to become there are extraordinary finds in places like these and you might even change your mind when you make a fantastic find."
~ Grandma Taylor

Black cat

• Black leotard & tights or sweatpants & sweatshirt
• Headband cat ears : can be constructed from plain black headband with glued felt ears.
• Long black tail : construct from 1/4 yd. black shiny fur from fabric store and black waistband or 2 yds. black ribbon.  Sew tail to ribbon and tie in bow around waist.

Robot

• Find suitable box.  Cut out armholes and neck.  Fold up flaps for legs.
• Decorate box with anything shiny (pie tins, old parts, etc.) or purchase silver contact paper & cover box.
• Dryer vent tubes work great for legs and arms.
• Tie a little twine around wires and fasten over shoulders before you put box on.

Mummy

• Tear long strips from an old white sheet (or look on the bargain fabric table for white or cream fabric that will work. Reserve enough for head and neck.
• Attach strips to a sweatshirt, pants, socks and gloves (grey or white) using thick string or embroidery floss. This will be easier if you are wearing the the clothing as you wrap and attach the strips (you might want some help for this). Don’t wrap too tightly (you’ll never get it off).

Ghost

• Use an old white sheet to create a ghost by tossing it over the head and trimming bottom to the proper length.
• Cut holes for eyes.
• For interest, wear a white (or any wild color you wish) necktie loosely. This will also help hold the sheet in place.
• Hat and sunglasses also make fun additions if you wish.

Ballerina

A ballerina costume simply needs a leotard, tights and a tutu. To make an easy tutu:

• Purchase several yards of net or tulle and a spool of matching ribbon.
• Lay fabric out cross-wise and cut to desired length.
• Gather the entire width of tulle or net to match waist measurement
• Center, and sew onto ribbon the leaving ample tie ends on both sides of equal length.
• Tie in pretty bow and let the remainder of the ribbon stream and flutter downward.

Knight

You’ll need a grey pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt.

• Make armor from cardboard so it hangs over shoulders and ties or snaps at sides. Cover cardboard with silver contact paper.
• Make shield out of cardboard also and cover with duct tape, taping a cardboard handle on at the same time (make sure it fits the arm and hand).
• Find a large bleach bottle to use as a helment. Wash thoroughly, cutout bottom and cut an upside-down "U" opposite to the handle for the face. Paint helmet silver.
• Attach long ribbon streamers to float in the breeze to handle and put large feather in the spout on top.
• Add a sword and voila!  A knight!

Gypsy

Any number of found items can make up a gypsy such as;

• Long skirt, gathered or circle, etc.
• Decorative metal belt, or wide sash.
• Peasant blouse.
• Lots of beads and necklaces, bracelets, etc.
• Scarf for head or wide ribbon:  tie in bow at back and let ends flutter down.
• Leather slippers or soft ballet slippers.
• Stick a flower in the hair.

Gangster

Another costume assembled from ’found’ items:

• Old black fedora hat
• Black (or other dark colored) dress shirt
• Funky tie
• Black pants
• Black belt, socks & black shiny shoes.
• Old violin case to carry around.

Sailor

• Work uniform: All white t-shirt, pants, shoes & socks.
• Dress uniform: Same as above only long-sleeved shirt. Add sailor collar made from 1/2 yard stiff white cotton trimmed with navy-blue soutache braid.
• Purchase sailor hat at party or costume shop.

Super-Quick Costumes

Black-eyed Pea

• Cut out a capital letter "P" from craft foam, fabric or cardstock and attach to a sweatshirt (craft foam with a sticky side is great for this).
• Give yourself one black eye with black grease paint.

Hall Pass

• Make a High School style "Hall Pass" out of any unusual or embarrassing object you can find. Example items: toilet seat cover, dilapidated frying pan, etc. (use your imagination).
• Be sure to mark it (or paint it) with a room number and the words "Hall Pass."
• Hang it around your neck with a piece of twine or light-weight rope.

Road Sign

• Drop into your local hardware store and get a "stop," "for sale," "out of order," or "beware of dog" sign and hang around your neck with a piece of twine or light-weight rope. Get 2 signs if you want one on your back as well.
• Alternately you could attach the sign to a sweatshirt with some super-strong double-sided tape or, if you have some time, heavy-duty glue.

Super Hero

All you need to be a super hero is a cape, right?

• Wear solid colors.
• Tie an oversize towel or brightly colored sheet around your neck to form your super hero cape.