The very best Halloween costumes are homemade. You don’t need to be crafty to make them, either. You just need an eye for the essential details, a few basic tools (duct tape and glue guns are helpful for most projects), and the time to assemble parts from different places. Cardboard boxes are useful if you have a small child intent on being a train or a ship or some kind of vehicle, or robot — or robot vehicle.
Here are some resources for those who are at work on original costumes:
Goodwill and Value Village
The big thrift stores do a brisk trade coming up to Halloween. Among the useful items they carry: hoodies and sweatpants in all colors of the rainbow. These sweatsuits can be the base for all kinds of critter costumes. For example, add ears, a tail and some markings to a yellow sweatsuit, and you have yourself a perfectly serviceable Pikachu.
These places are also good for accessories, be they cheap plastic helmets or silly shoes.
Both stores’ websites (Goodwill, Value Village) also are a wealth of information and inspiration.
JoAnn Fabric and Craft
2217 N.W. 57th St., Seattle Plus locations in Bellevue, Shoreline, Tukwila, Renton, Kent, Auburn, Lynnwood, Federal Way, Everett, Puyallup and Tacoma.They’ve got a hilarious variety of fabric and notions, plus a variety of craft supplies that just might come in handy for your Halloween costumes. Need foam? Golden duct tape? Glue of any kind? Have a look around here.
Seattle ReCreative
8408 Greenwood Ave NYou never know what kind of treasures you will find in this Greenwood crafting oasis (open at limited capacity for COVID precautions), so it’s worth taking a peek at what they have. Also, if you need space and equipment to assemble the costume, you can find it here. Seattle ReCreative’s maker space contains a variety of useful tools, including a sewing machine, serger and a mat cutter. Call 206-297-1528 in advance if you would like to use the maker space.
Made Sewing Studio
124 N 103rd St Suite AIf you have a sewing-intensive costume, you might want to call on the expertise of Made Sewing Studio. You can rent a machine there, take an online class, or ask them for advice.
Originally published October 2018. Updated for 2022
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