Growing up, my Halloween costumes were made by my mom. Those handmade costumes are a big part of my Halloween memories.
Wanting to create these same memories for Grace, the past few years, I've made her Halloween costumes.
This year, she decided to be an Indian, inspired by Dear Lillie's Indian Costume.
This costume, required me to make a trip to my local fabric/hobby store where I bought 2 different size leather fringe, a yard of each (roughly $9 total).
We bought some real turkey feathers from the local flea market ($2 for 3 feathers). Back at the fabric store, I bought a package of turquoise beads for $4 to add some color and there I also found a clearanced dollar feather barrette.
And, last but not least, I bought 5 yards of tulle for $5. 2 yards of a sparkly dark brown and 3 yards of tan. I also needed some ribbon (enough to fit around Grace's waist and tie closed), which I already had.
Every Indian needs a tutu, right? Well, my little Indian needed a tutu.
To prep for tutu making, I started cutting strips of tulle into 5-6 inch wide sections.
I layered the tulle, 1 section of tan and 1 section of brown. Loosely knotting the tulle around the ribbon, I maked a no sew tutu.
Your tutu will require scheduling a fitting with your Indian. By knotting the tulle to ribbon, the tutu will need to be tied on, so make sure you leave enough ribbon on both sides to tie it closed.
When the tutu was complete, I hot glued the 2 inch long leather fringe onto the top of the tulle knots.
To the center of the tutu, I added the feather barrette and, using fishing line, I strung and secured a turquoise bead.
What every Indian does need is a head dress. Using some fold over elastic, I started by making a headband.
To secure the turkey feathers, I added a 'pocket'. I sewed 1/2 an inch of no sew elastic on the side of the headband, in the inside. I then sewed down the center of the additional scrap of no sew elastic, creating 2 slots that the feathers snugly fit into.
To the center of the headband, using fishing line, I secured a turquoise bead.
Wanting to add more turquoise touches, a ring was made. Using a plain adjustable ring, a turquoise bead and some gorilla glue, the little Indian girl now had another frugal accessory.
Instead of investing in new shoes or moccasins for the sake of a costume, I embellished a pair of tan boots we already had. To the boots, I applied a few dabs of hot glue to the inside of the boot, near the zipper and strung some fishing line through a bead and then through the boot to secure a turquoise bead to each boot. (All of which I was able to remove without damage to the boots after Halloween).
The shoes, head dress and ring, were all easy to make, cost very little, yet had a big impact.
To finish the costume, I used a long sleeve white tee shirt and the smaller leather trim. Again, applying hot glue to the sleeves and collar, I added the leather trim.
And, that's how you transform a little girl into an Indian Puggle Wrangler.
Cost of homemade Indian Costume: $22
Cost of creating memories for your child: Priceless.
