Juicy Bits: 229: animated characters

This year we actually had halloween. Yay! Last year was such a let down.

The kids both picked characters from animated films.

Aurora wanted to be Vanellope Von Schweetz from Wreck it Ralph. If you're not familiar, this is her:

Super cute. Both the character and the girl. :)

For the most part it wasn't a ridiculously challenging costume to make, except then it kinda was. The sweatshirt was store bought (Thank you, Target). It's not exactly the right color, but I can live with that. But finding leggings that were in a close color proved impossible. So I decided to make them. Just go buy some turquoise and white knit fabrics and bust out the serger, right? Nope. No knit fabric at all close in color. I attempted painting some tights. Disaster. Finally in a last desperate search of the mall I found an XL woman's Tshirt that was close in color to cut up. Turned out to be a slinky material that got holes kinda easily, but the leggings made it through the holiday with only one repair.

Then came the wig. Ever made a yarn wig before? In theory it's easy. And probably for ones that hang down, not too bad. But this was a challenge to get it in a decent looking ponytail and stay in place. The sewing on of the yarn was easy enough, but I definitely was a little too liberal and the pony tail ended up being like 6" in diameter. So my advice is to start with less and add as needed. I used the top of a pair of tights as the base (knotted and sewn up). The elastic made a snug fit but it didn't come close to staying put. But I found some wig clips (little combs that snap like barrettes) to sew in around the edge and they did the trick. Overall, not on my list of things I want to make again.

Theo's was a bit easier. Of course it was the second choice. At first we were going with Toad from Super Mario brothers, but boy that mushroom head is challenging to get right. I have a mostly formed foam base that's all ready for a try again next year. :)

But when I suggested that he and his buddy go as minions, well, the friend aspect won him over. If you don't know, they're from Despicable Me.

His costume was mostly about finding the right stuff. Overalls bigger than toddler size are hard to come by. And funny thing is if you searched for them on Amazon, yellow sweatshirts and googles come up too. Obviously a popular costume this year. I found the overalls at a local tracor supply store. And the sweatshirts online. I'm not thrilled they had writing on them, but again, yellow hoodies weren't exactly in every store.

I made the google from the rings of mason jar lids. They're help together with a metal epoxy and the rest is hot glued on. I sewed the patches on the overalls and used pie cleaners for the hair. I did agree to make 2 costumes, but still easier than Toad's hat.