Halloween, Courtesy of Goodwill

As the little kids started telling me what they wanted to be this year for Halloween, I could feel my blood pressure start to rise.  Each costume idea sounded like it would be a significant sewing project.  And while I love to sew, I do not love to sew costumes.  (Or home-dec, fyi!)

I decided that I would go looking for costume parts at our local Goodwill.  I was thrilled with what I found there, and the sewing required ended up being relatively minimal.

Without further ado I present our Halloween, courtesy of Goodwill!

Rachel wanted to be an elf archer from Lord of the Rings.  I offered a green cape but she declined (whew!) and told me she wanted a green shirt and green pants, and would use Jared’s bow to complete her costume. 

We had green pants left from Jason’s costume last year, so I cut those up and made them into pants using an easy PJ pant pattern.  I bought a green tshirt at Goodwill and cut it in zigs and zags.  She was thrilled.  Well, she was thrilled until everyone at church asked her if she was Robin Hood!

Jenna wanted to be a spy.  With black everything.  I thought I could probably find what she wanted at Goodwill, but I really hit the jackpot.  I found a pair of black leather pants!  Who buys their 10 year old black leather pants???  I was very happy to plunk down my $2.59 for them!  I also bought her a black turtleneck.  When I realized that I had forgotten that she needed a black hat I panicked.  But then I got creative and cut the sleeve off of one of Russ’s old black tshirts and pulled it together at the top.  It was just great!

(I am not sure what made her think that spies wear blue flip-flops instead of black shoes…)

As you have already guessed, Jared’s costume was the most involved.  As he described to me what it would involve and I looked at pictures, I could see myself buying copious amounts of yellow fabric and doing lots of sewing.  I was not thrilled; but he was so excited about his costume I didn’t want to say no!

Well, once again Goodwill came through for me.  And to the unknown woman who once wore yellow capris made of a parachute type fabric, I will be forever in your debt.  Seriously, your sacrifice was not in vain.

Once I had the capris I found a matching men’s dress shirt, and a nice silk orange shirt.  Now that you’re dying of curiosity, here is the finished product.

Avatar, the Last Airbender!  (the tv version)

And another angle to give you a better view of the costume.

Jared’s costume was a total hit—I’d say it was one of the best at our ward’s trunk or treat.  Everyone was amazed that we’d let him shave his head and impressed that we had painted it!  It was awesome.

I’m just glad that it’s all over till next year.  (Except for the Goodwill part…I’ve sort of become attached to Goodwill!)

Rachel, Jenna, and Jared with their friend Olivia