I’m not sure why but something about each of my kid’s first Halloweens gets me feeling crafty. Hart was a Dalmatian in 2018 – Smith was Hercules from The Sandlot in 2019 – and this year I have something special planned for Merritt. Well, really Hart planned it – because he orchestrated our family costume this year! We are being pirates – and skeleton pirates – and a skeleton monkey, of course. And my clever little three-and-a-half-year-old decided Merritt should be a Parrot, since it rhymes. Ha! Since I’m not a full-on-seamstress, I consider this one semi-home-made – and it turned out so cute I just wanted to share all of the steps, materials and details! I partnered with Walmart for these supplies, pulling items from their fall craft favorites look book to bring Hart’s family costume vision to life.
You Will Need:
- Soft onesie
- Gold fabric
- Feathers
- More feathers
- Felt
- Sewing supplies
- Hot Glue Gun
I’ve started all of my babies’ costumes with a soft onesie, and added to it! In my experience, babies are much more comfortable in “normal” clothes and likely to keep their costumes on all night if they aren’t bulky or scratchy. After I found this bright blue fleece onesie, feathers and felt – I had the basics. But it wasn’t until I found this sewing kit that I felt truly ready to tackle this creative costume.
The Sewing Kit
Okay, this one deserves its own spotlight. YOU GUYS. I can’t tell you how many travel sewing kits I’ve gone through in the last 10 years. Fixing buttons, shortening hems, working on random crafts. Why haven’t I invested in one of these before? So reasonably priced, well organized and well stocked! I finally have more than 5 colors of thread! I finally have nice fabric scissors! I finally have more than one needle! Seriously – best $25 I’ve spent in a long long time. Okay, now back to the costume.
Merritt the Parrot
First, I cut some wings and a tail out of blue felt. I layered the feathers in a colorful ombre using bright blue, green and yellow feathers to mimic the markings of a Macaw parrot. I first secured the feathers with hot glue, then stitched them in place (because I knew the boys would be fascinated with them and didn’t want to lose TOO many feathers throughout the night!) I went through the same process for the tail, and sewed the tail and wings onto the onesie, then glued more feathers on the belly and at the ankles. I made a beak with gold fabric and lined the edges with wire before sewing it to the hood. I just love how this turned out!
Ahoy, Mateys!
Hart’s vision wouldn’t be complete without face paint! He fell in love with face paint at the zoo earlier this year, and I was so excited to find these non-toxic face crayons to make the kids’ transformations easy! Hart and Smith will be dressed as a Skeleton Pirate and his Skeleton Monkey (of course) and mom just gets to be a “Normal Pirate” with a cute little parrot perched on her shoulder. I’ll be sure to show you the whole gang on Halloween!
Be sure to check out Walmart‘s selection of craft and sewing supplies to create a fun family costume of your own! Create DIY costumes don’t have to be crazy expensive or time consuming so long as you have the right supplies. I have accepted monetary compensation and free product or services from Walmart in exchange for my endorsement of Walmart. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
