When 10-year-old Andrea McLeod from London, Ontario, spotted a mushroom costume while out shopping, she instantly knew it was the perfect Halloween outfit for this year.
However, there was a slight hiccup: The only available costume at the store was sized for toddlers.
Undeterred, McLeod took matters into her own hands and decided to craft the costume herself.
She recounted, “I purchased fabric and followed instructions, with guidance from my sewing instructor to piece it together. The hat section was stuffed with foam, while the bottom part resembled a hoodie.”
It took McLeod approximately five hours to complete her homemade red and beige mushroom costume, which she plans to showcase to her friends on Friday.
Excited about her creation, McLeod shared, “When I tried it on, it looked pretty cool. They are going to find it adorable.”
This year, McLeod and others are opting for DIY costumes over store-bought options.
Lindy Creswick, the proprietor of Lindy Cosplay Supplies in Chatham, Ontario, encourages families to engage in the creativity and fun of crafting costumes together.
Creswick, who previously worked in the costume industry and now operates cosplay repair stations at Comic-Con events across the region, revealed that she used to create many Halloween costumes for her son as he grew up.
As her son matured, Creswick and her son began collaborating on costume creations, and their love for dressing up has continued into adulthood — to the extent that Creswick’s son has chosen Halloween day for his wedding and is advocating for costumes at the reception.
Creswick noted, “Children are usually enthusiastic about the idea of making costumes. It is essential for parents to empower kids to take the lead in designing their Halloween attire.”
“Allowing children to express their creativity is crucial because their perspective and vision may differ from that of adults. This collaborative approach is especially significant when working on projects together,” she added.
Prepare in Advance, Utilize Glue Strategically
According to Riley Papp, co-owner of Sew It Goes sewing studio in London, where McLeod crafted her costume, planning is key when embarking on a costume-making endeavor.