More DIY Easy Halloween Costumes Anyone Can Sew

Hi there! Have you been psyching up for Halloween? Or rather, are your kids getting crazy for Halloween? Let’s be honest, in the end, rambling through the neighbourhood trick-or-treating is more for their benefit than ours. Right? Nevertheless, I will admit that I am also getting a little excited.

When I prowl the neighbourhood with my kids on the 31^st October, it’s not as though I’m going to have a fistful of lollies thrust my way. (*Psst!!* There are however, a couple of neighbours who like to share a quick slurp of some fiery type of liquid that is definitely NOT for the little ones! Nudge nudge, wink wink)

What I do enjoy is watching the kids each year get bolder and more adventurous and confident, relishing the thrill of dressing up and dashing so free-spirited around the neighbourhood after dark. And we bump into so many of their friends also doing the rounds, so it’s practically like a street party. 😊

I know that last week I posted here a few home-sewn DIY Halloween costumes. But guess what I also enjoy?

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More sewing!

And I love sharing that passion for creating with YOU. So that’s why I’m here talking about Halloween costumes again! If you’re a little “last minute” and still looking for some super easy ideas, here’s the place to grab a couple of quick, simple to finish costume ideas- with fabric and styling tips!- for your little ones.

Halloween is just days away! *squeal* Time is of the essence, so let’s do this!

Ahoy! Pirate Costume

This is one of the easiest costumes ever! I bought some cheap and nasty piece of black polyester for the vest, although a light felt or stretch jersey would work well too.

Cut the fabric using a shirt or jacket pattern for your little buccaneer. I would recommend using 1 size larger than their regular clothing. No need to cut sleeves, just the front and back pieces! (If you are using a shirt pattern, remember to cut the front as 2 separate pieces. Don’t cut on the fold 😉.) Sew the shoulders and sides together as per your pattern instructions. If you are using a fabric which frays (such as polyester) you might need to sew a zig-zag or overlock [serger] stitch along the edges to prevent it from unravelling. This is the basic vest.

Sure, now, you probably want to pep the vest up a bit! Perhaps a skull and crossbones patch or applique, sewed or even glued on. Perhaps a couple of pockets in a pirate-y fabric. You could cut along the ends to make it look tattered. Pair the vest with a pair of pirate pants. An eye patch would look convincing, or you could try a pirate’s hat and cutlass.

Obviously you can make it as simple or as grandiose as you like. The possibilities are endless! And if you’re really lucky, your little pirate might even share their treasure with you 😉.

Shadowy Bat Costume

These batwings surely rival the Pirate vest for an easy peasy DIY costume. You can use a sewing machine for the few stitches and or you could actually just sew by hand. Suitable fabrics include: stretch jersey, polyester or a light felt. I even used a cheap type of lightweight velour.

You need to measure from the base of your child’s neck lengthways down their back to how long the batwings should be. This will be the length of the piece of fabric needed. Next, measure from the base of your child’s neck outwards along one outstretched arm. Aim for just past the wrist. Cut your fabric on the fold for this width. (This means, for example, if the measurement from neck to wrist is 50cm, cut the fabric on the fold 50cm wide, unfold and- hey presto!- you now have a piece 100cm wide.)

Next step: start doodling! Sketch out directly on the fabric those curved shapes you want for the batwings. When you’re happy with the look, cut ‘em out!

All that’s left to do is stitch on some loops of elastic to hold the wings in place. Depending on how old your child is, you may only need loops for the shoulders and wrists. My daughter is 11 years old, and accordingly, has a wide arm span. I sewed 3 loops for each arm: one over each shoulder, one around each elbow, and one to loop over her middle finger.

Batwings done! Again, accessorise as much or as little as you want. Face paint, Vampire fangs (or not!), a headband with cute little black bat ears, whatever suits your little nocturnal critter 😊.

Lego Ninjago Ultimate Ninja Costume

This outfit took me the most time, but it’s actually an easy-sew project too. Preferred fabric is definitely stretch jersey. I have a Lego Ninjago fan here in the house, and specifically a Lloyd fan. That means the right colour fabric for this costume is definitely toxic green. But if your little Ninja prefers Kai, Nya, Zane or any of the others (out of touch Ninjago Mama >>here<<) you’ll need to choose another colour!

I found a pattern for a simple fleece jacket to use for the jacket. No pockets, no hood, no extras. (Like the pirate vest above you could also use a pattern for a shirt, but cut the front in 2 separate pieces rather than on the fold.) Rather than having the front of the jacket open straight down the middle, I cut the pieces a little wider and at an angle, so there is room to overlap the jacket like a real Ninja! I would also recommend cutting the fabric at least 1 size bigger than the regular clothing size. Sew the front, back and sleeves together following the pattern directions.

Now you can fancy it up, if you’re feeling up to it, although as a green Lloyd-ish Ninja jacket it would be fine how it is. The benefit of stretch jersey is that it doesn’t fray 😉. As you can see in the photos, I did sew a thin strip of black jersey as trim around the edges of the jacket. You know, for a bit of Ninja pizzazz, LOL!

Next up, you’re going to want a belt. Easiest, quickest, no-sew solution? One long strip of black jersey! (For my little 5-year-old Lloyd I made this belt 6cm wide and 140cm long.)

Perhaps you’ll want to add some matching trousers??? Thank goodness my guy had some green trousers from his Incredible Hulk costume that did the trick. I sewed them from a simple pyjama trousers pattern

Last but not least, the Ninja mask. I used the pattern for a hood (such as from a hoodie jacket) BUT! 1. It needs to be cut a few centimetres longer than the pattern so it reaches over the face and down to the base of the neck and 2. Cut the front of the hood on the fold (rather than curved to allow the face through). Sew the 2 halves together around the outer edge. You will now have what looks like a balaclava without the eye holes! Have your Ninja try it on, gently mark the section you need to cut out. Be sure to remove the mask from your child’s head BEFORE attempting to cut out the eye holes, duh! And that’s it!

OK, Ninjago costume… Jacket: check! Belt: check! Trousers: check! Face Mask: check! It probably sounds more complicated and daunting than it really is. Honestly, this costume is not too challenging or fiddly at all. If I can manage it, you definitely can too.

Your own Ninja will be leaping and spinning with joy when they get to wear this elite Ninjago costume 😉.

I hope you are having fun and getting inspired by looking at these fun Halloween costumes, and realising that YOU too can sew them. Give them a go! I’d love to see which costumes you tried out! Share some photos with us in the comments section below.

Now, off I go to finish sewing some cute frightful, terrifying, gruesome bags for the kids to collect and carry their Halloween trick-or-treat booty. Ah yes, a sewing Mama’s projects never end 😉…

By the way, if you are needing a pattern to sew your own trick or treat bags this Halloween, take a look at the super simple printable pattern HERE.