If you’re the type of person who prefers to make their own costume, a pirate costume pattern will get you off on the right foot!
If you’d like to make your own costume to save money, you should remember to take into consideration your sewing experience. If you don’t have craft talent or experience, you may be able to find a friend who will share the task with you if you’ll provide the materials for two.
Also, you’ll want to make sure that you’ve got the time needed to get a costume completed before Halloween. You want the experience to be fun, not to feel like a chore after a full day’s work! You also don’t want to be rushing at the last minute only to find out you’re half a yard short of material. Give yourself time to get the job done right.
If you’ve got the time and the talent (or a crafty friend!) sewing your own costume can save you quite a bit of money. The materials for making a costume can be purchased in a much higher quality and for less money than most of the costumes that are available ready to wear. A good quality costume that is made to last can run well over $100, but a hand made costume plus accessories can easily be created for under $50. And this will be a costume made from quality material, in your exact size – and can be used year after year.
And don’t forget, most sewing patterns can be used to create 2 or 3 styles, so you’ve got patterns for more than one costume for the same price. Create a pair of matching costumes for you and a friend to go out partying together!
Of course, sewing the costume is only the first part of creating your own Halloween disguise. Even the best made costume will need to be accessorized! There are quite a few things you can do to accessorize your costume to make it original. Try sewing a little plush monkey or parrot to the shoulder – it’s a touch that not many people would bother to do. Eyepatches are of course always expected for pirates, as well as a hook for a hand.
Another accessory you’ll definitely want to invest in is a pirate hat. While inexpensive hats can be found, if it’s still out of your budget, no worries! Just slap on a bandana and a big gold hoop earring.
For male pirates, a weapon and an eyepatch may be all that’s needed to complete the costume. If you’re trying to for the full “Pirates of the Caribbean” Jack Sparrow look, you’ll need gold chains, a vest and scarves. A long dreadlocked wig also helps complete the look! You can purchase stick-on braided beard, too! Of course, if you can get away with it at work, just let your beard grow out a little bit and go with the “scruffy” look.
For women who want a sexier look, fishnet stockings are a great way to accessorize the costume. Headwraps and scarves are also good accessories, as well as plenty of gold jewelry – look at thrift stores and secondhand shops for rings with large gaudy stones and long dangling pendant necklaces.
It only takes a bit of creativity and a touch of sewing experience to create an original costume at a much lower cost than buying one. Have as much fun making your costume as you will wearing it!
