When I was little, I think my mom made the best Halloween costumes. I was not one of those kids that went to the store and picked out her costume. I may have gone and helped to pick out a pattern for my mom to make, but no store-bought costumes for me! I was also one of those kids when asked to sign up for something to bring to a school party that would volunteer for brownies or homemade cookies. I don’t think it dawned on me that maybe my mom would have preferred if I’d pick chips, but somehow I think she would have signed up for brownies, too.
Not only is my mom super-creative and a talented seamstress, she is also quite clever. She wanted to get the most out of the costumes she could, and trust me; they got a lot of wear! The majority of the costumes started out being made for my older sister, Jill, and then I would get to wear them when I was the right size. With some of the costumes, I could hardly wait to get my turn! Then lots of the costumes also were worn years later by my nephews Justin and Kyle, and my niece, Courtney.
Thanks to my mom who went through some of our old family photo boxes to pick out some of the costumes throughout the years. What fun memories they brought back!
Buffy & Mrs. Beasley from the TV show Family Affair – we used to watch this TV show when we were little and my mom came up with a costume that worked great for both my sister and I. I think the shot of us walking in the parade is adorable. I am sure my mom told my sister not to let go of my hand!
Statue of Liberty & Uncle Sam – Here is my older sister Jill and I feeling a bit patriotic for a parade.
Geisha girls – We went a bit international to be geisha girls one year. I got to wear both costumes, the smaller one first & the bigger one second. I told you, clever.
Majorette – I was all set to “march” in the Halloween parade this year.
Raggedy Ann & Andy – I was a big fan of Raggedy Ann & Andy when I was little. My bedroom had a whole handmade theme. I’ll have to post photos sometime of that, too. The headboard my mom made was amazing. This costume lasted a few years with both my sister and I being able to wear both versions.
Mickey Mouse & Donald Duck – Here was another costume that my sister and I each got to wear both parts of. And then so did my nephews 30 years later. The best part was the tail actually stuck out in the back just like Donald Duck.
Half man/Half woman – This costume was ridiculously clever, I think. Yep, that’s right. It was a man from the front and a woman from the back. Here is a shot of my sister wearing it in a parade, and then years later, me wearing it. My nephews and niece also then got their turn. The best part is watching people’s reactions when they realized what it was as you turned.
Butterfly – I think this was the first costume that was made just for me. I loved it! I was dying to help my mom paint it, but I don’t think it would have been as cute if she agreed – I definitely wasn’t the most artistic when I was little. So here I am in 1974, and then my niece Courtney in it in 2005.
Jack in the box – This was another costume made just for me. I thought it was so fun to duck down and then jump out. It may be tough to see, but the handle on the side actually turned.
Siamese Twin – This one cracks me up. When I was in 7th grade, I convinced my mom to make my friend, Bophal and I a Siamese twin costume. My friend Bophal was from Cambodia – I think I may have not thought the Siamese twin aspect all the way through.
Corn on the Cob – Here is a cute costume my mom made for my nephew, Justin, which then my nephew Kyle and niece Courtney also wore. Don’t they look adorable?! She also made an adult version of the costume, which I wore to a Halloween wedding and my grandma wore to a bunch of Senior Center parties.
Cupcake – Here’s another cute one my mom made especially for my niece Courtney. I wish I thought of that idea when I was younger!
Cleopatra – My niece Courtney helped my mom to make this costume last year. She is growing into quite the little seamstress herself. Boy did she look adorable!
One costume we couldn’t find a photo of was an Upside Down man. That was a clever one!
Thanks mom for making all of the costumes throughout the years. I just loved them! What was your favorite costume you wore when you were younger?
