Ottobre + Ananda = One Smooth Criminal

This year is probably the last year that Duncan won't have an opinion about his Halloween costume, so I kind of struggled with what to make for him.

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that Duncan is something of an escape artist. We talked about several variations on that theme, but finally settled on classic jailbird stripes.

It's also a plus that this is basically a sweatsuit with stripes. Super comfy and cozy for trick or treating or just hanging around the cell block.

The shirt is from the 01/2010 issue of Ottobre. I made the size 98 because I already had it traced and his 92s are all too small. It looks like the sleeves are a little long, but I kinda like the ragamuffin look it gives.

The pants are my new favorite comfy kids pant, the Ananda. They are so comfy and go together so quickly. And since they don't have side seams, I only had to match the stripes on the inseam and crotch. Bonus!

I made the waistband (and the cuffs and neckband of the shirt) from a white rib knit. I wish it had slightly better recovery, as the pants got a little saggy with wear, but I think that was also because I hemmed them a little too long so he was stepping on them.

Wasn't it nice of him to mark the new hemline with mud? Considerate kid, I tell ya.

Even though this is "just" a costume, I did go to the trouble of matching the stripes across the seams. I didn't have quite enough fabric to match the stripes across the sleeves, but he moves so much, I don't think anyone would be able to tell either way.

The fabric I used is a soft sweatshirt fleece from Nature's Fabrics. You may have noticed that it isn't the traditional black and white stripe. I could pretend that I did that on purpose so that he could get more wear out of the ensemble, but the honest truth is that I just wasn't paying attention. I still think it gets the point across and he actually will at least be able to wear the sweatshirt after Halloween, so whatever.

Better move fast, Copper! He's outta here! And as you all know, #childproofingisfutile .

Bimaa Sweater + Ananda Pants = The Great and Powerful Trixie!

Myra spent a lot of time debating which My Little Pony she was going to be for Halloween. When she finally decided on The Great and Powerful Trixie, I was a little surprised, but thrilled that I wasn't going to have to sew Princess Celestia's wings and golden hooves. Once I pinned her down, it was time to choose patterns, and the SewFab bundle had just been released. The Bimaa hoodie and the Ananda pants seemed like the obvious choice! And they were.

Myra LOVES her Trixie costume, and I'm pretty thrilled with how easily it came together. For the top, the Bimaa sweater pattern is absolutely perfect for adding ears. The hood has a center panel that is seamed right where a pair of ears would sit, so you don't have to manipulate the pattern at all.

For her horn, I elected to use a separate headband. The horn itself is just a piece of fleece that I twisted around itself and hand sewed to the headband. Super easy. For her mane, I did add a center seam to the center panel of the hood, and inserted the mane just below the ears. In retrospect, I sort of wish I had continued her "hairline" a little farther forward, and trimmed the from shorter to simulate a forelock.

The main body of the costume is poly fleece to keep her cozy on Halloween night. For the mane, tail, hood lining and waistband of the pants, I used a cotton-lycra jersey from Chez Ami. The mane and tail are cut into thin strips to simulate hair. I love how it curls up on the ends, just like Trixie's hair.

Trixie's cutie mark is a magic wand with a "swoosh" of magic sparkles. For the wand, I used more of the same jersey and painted the stick part with fabric paint. The "swoosh" is a bit of silver sparkle knit, appliqued in place and decorated with some glitter star buttons.

The Ananda Pants are so perfect for this costume! The pant has a nice easy fit, and the waist is finished with a knit waistband. Since Myra is carrying around that heavy tail, I did reinforce the waistband with some 1 3/4 inch wide elastic, which I just inserted into the knit waistband itself. It's still super comfy, but it holds up the extra weight well.

From the back, you can see I just inserted the tail into the center back seam of the pants. I seriously love how well that waistband covers Myra's lower back! She has a bit of a ghetto booty, but these pants are perfect. She asked me to make her another pair in pink to wear to school, so I know they are a winner.

Now we just have to wait for Halloween! Are you ready to rumble, Twilight Sparkle?! Trixie's coming for you!