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Wizard’s Halloween Lantern

Complete your little wizard's costume with a safe working lantern to light the way on Halloween night!

Materials

• 2 juice or milk cartons (1/2 gallon size)
• 2 packages Presto stick-on felt, black
• 1 package Wrights® antique gold rickrack
• 3 yards Wrights® black gimp braid
• 1/2 yard Wrights® black twisted cord
• 1 battery-operated Jo-Ann Welcome Candle Lamp
• Hook-and-loop tape
• Fabric glue

Directions

1. Measure 7-1/2" from bottom of one carton. Cut off top portion.

2. Measure 4" from bottom of second carton. Cut off top portion.

3. Tape boxes together along outside. Cover surface with black felt.

4. From top of box, measure 1" down and cut a 2" x 6" rectangle in center of three sides.

5. Glue rickrack around openings.

6. Glue gimp braid over long corners, around the top and bottom edges, and 7-1/2" down from top.

7. Glue rickrack over gimp along top and bottom.

8. Punch holes in two opposite window sides, halfway between the top of the box and window.

9. Thread cord through holes for handle and tie knots to secure.

10. Put batteries in candle. Apply hook-tape in center bottom of lantern; apply loop-tape on the bottom of the candle. Insert candle in lantern.

Due to seasonal nature of project, supplies are available for a limited time only. Please read all instructions prior to beginning; read and follow all manufacturers' instructions for all tools and materials used. Provide adult supervision if children participate in this and all craft projects. Because Jo-Ann Stores, Inc. and joann.com have no control over the use of materials and tools, nor surroundings, during construction of projects, Jo-Ann Stores, Inc. and joann.com disclaim any liability for injury, damage or other untoward results. Content of this project sheet is presented in good faith, but no warranty is given, nor results guaranteed.

Halloween Masks

Customize your favorite Halloween costume with masks! It’s easy to decorate them and develop your theme with an assortment of trims and appliqués from your sewing box. Rick-rack, sequins, a furry trim . . . once you begin, you’ll come up with dozens of ideas.

Materials

• Mask Pattern (pdf)

Our basic mask pattern is all you need to get started. Try adding ears to create an animal. Crown a king or queen with gilded points. Add bells to exaggerated points and a jester is born. There’s no limit to your creativity. And trick-or-treaters of every age will want to join in the fun of decorating their own masks.

Spooky Soft Pumpkin

This soft, stuffed pumpkin is a cheerful addition to your autumn and Halloween décor. Feel free to make it in any fabric combination.

Approximate Crafting Time: 3 hours
Skill Level: Sewing experience helpful

Materials

• 7 pumpkin-colored calico fat quarters
• 1 brown calico fat quarter
• 1/2 yard green felt for leaves and vines
• scrap of orange felt for nose
• chenille stems
• two 1" buttons for eyes
• three 16-ounce bags of fiberfill
• embroidery floss, perle cotton
• basic sewing supplies, glue
• Patterns - pumpkin and leaves

Directions

1. Enlarge pattern pieces (pumpkin and leaves) 250 percent.

2. From one calico fat quarter, trace and cut out circle for pumpkin bottom.

3. Trace and cut out 6 pumpkin sections from remaining calico fat quarters. If desired, stitch several smaller pieces of calico together in a crazy-quilt style. Embroider as desired.

4. Stitch/embroider face on one pumpkin section.

5. Stitch pumpkin sections right sides together, leaving an opening to turn; the stem piece will cover opening.

6. Stitch circle to bottom, easing where necessary. Turn and stuff.

7. Cut out stem piece. Stitch right sides together. Gather short ends of stem, pull gathering threads tightly, and tie off. Turn stem right side out and stuff lightly.

8. Turning raw edge of stem under 1/4", stitch stem to top of pumpkin.

9. To make vines, cut several 2” x 12” lengths of felt. Fold felt around chenille stem. Stitch close to chenille stem, and trim close to stitching. To make vine curly, twist felt-covered chenille stem around a dowel or marker. Glue vines to top of pumpkin.

10. Trace pumpkin leaves on felt and cut out. Stitch small tuck at rounded end of leaf as desired to create dimension. Glue or stitch to top of pumpkin.

http://www.sewing.org/enthusiast/wizard_hat_cape.pdf

Medieval Hat

Any girl would enjoy having a medieval lady-in-waiting hat, whether for a Halloween costume party or just for dressing up and having fun. This style features a long, sheer veil that flows from the top of a tall crown.

For the boys, the same hat without the veil would be a great crowning touch for a wizard costume. For additional embellishment, celestial shapes could be appliquéd to the crown.

You Will Need

• 3/4 yd (0.68 m) medium-weight fabric, at least 45"-wide (115 cm), for crown and brim
• 5/8 yd (0.68 m) medium-weight fusible interfacing
• 1-1/2 yd (1.37 m) light-weight sheer fabric, up to 45"-wide (115 cm), for veil
• Grosgrain ribbon, 1"-wide (2.5 cm), with length equal to circumference of head plus 2" (5.1 cm), for hat without veil
• 1 yd. (0.9 m) narrow ribbon, for ties
• Jumbo cording
• Light-weight cording, such as pearl cotton
• Wooden dowel, 1/4” (0.6cm) in diameter

Making the Pattern

For the crown of the hat: Measure the circumference of the head oosely, just above the ears. Multiply this measurement by 4, and divide the answer by 6.28. Draw a quarter circle with this radius. The straight edges are center back of the crown. Figure 1.

To develop the brim: Divide the head circumference measurement by 6.28 to determine the radius of the inner brim. Draw a circle with this radius. Draw another circle from the same center point with a radius of 1" (25 cm). Figure 2.

To finish the brim pattern: Add 1/2" (1.3 cm) seam allowances to all curved edges. Add 3/4" (1.9 cm) seam allowances to center back edges of the hat crown. Figure 3.

For the veil: Draw an arc with radius of 1” (2.5 cm) from point of crown and trim away.

Cutting Directions

Cut one crown from the fabric, using the above pattern. For the brim, cut a strip of fabric 6" (15.2 cm) wide using the full width of the crosswise grain of the fabric. Cut a piece of jumbo cording, with the length equal to the circumference of the head plus 8" (20.3 cm). Cut one crown from the interfacing.

How to Sew

1. Fuse interfacing to crown of hat. Stay stitch 1/2" (1.3 cm) along upper and lower curves, machine sewing with short stitches. Clip upper seam allowance to stitching line every 1/4" (0.6 cm). Figure 4.

2. Turn down the upper seam allowance, rolling stitching line to wrong side; press. Stitch 1/4" (0.6 cm) from pressed edge, securing seam allowance to crown.

3. Stitch center back seam of crown, right sides together, stitching 3/4" (2.0 cm) from raw edges. Clip seam allowances to stitching line, 5/8” (1.6 cm) above lower curved edge. Figure 5.

4. Stitch seam allowances together, from clip to upper edge, 1/8” (0.3 cm) from raw edges. Pivot and stitch to seamline, 1/4” (0.6 cm) from top; backstitch to secure. Press seam allowance to one side. Press seam allowances open below clip.

5. Stitch short edges of brim strip together into a continuous circle, leaving a 3” (7.6 cm) opening at center of seam; press seam allowance open. Divide circle into fourths and mark.

6. Fold circle in half, having long raw edges match, wrong sides together. Zigzag over a cord, stitching 3/8” (1.0 cm) from the raw edges. Figure 6.

7. Divide the lower edge of crown into fourths and mark. Pin brim to crown, right sides together, matching marks, pulling up on cord to distribute gathers evenly. Stitch 1/2” (1.3 cm) from raw edge. For hat without veil, omit instructions and references to veil in following steps. Figure 7.

8. Finish one cut edge of veil, using overlock stitch or narrow hem. Run two rows of gathering stitches within the 1/2” (1.3 cm) seam allowance on opposite cut edge; divide edge into fourths, and mark.

9. Pin ribbon ties at side marks, if desired. Pin veil to lower edge of hat, matching marks; align selvages of veil to back seamline of crown. Pull up on threads to distribute gathers evenly. Stitch 1/2” (1.3 cm) from raw edges. Trim seam allowances of veil and brim. Figure 8.

10. Turn veil, seam allowances, and ribbon into crown. Pull veil through inside of hat and out hole at top of crown. Edgestitch through crown, seam allowances, and veil, just above the brim, keeping back crown seam allowances free. Figure 9.

11. Cut dowel 3/4” (1.9 cm) shorter than length of center back seam; insert dowel into space between stitching lines on crown seam. Tack opening closed.

12. Wrap ends of jumbo cording with tape. Insert cording through opening in brim; butt ends and hand stitch together through tape. Hand stitch opening closed.

10/03

Sewing a Cape

A cape is a dramatic and very versatile costume element. Distinguished royalty, wizards, magicians, and witches can benefit from the use of a cape. In its simplest form, a cape is a circle of fabric that is tied at the neck and open down the front. An inexpensive cape can be made with minimal sewing, using felt. A cape can be made with or without a collar, and both are secured at the neck with ribbon ties.

The length of cape can be varied, depending on the desired look. Fabric can be pieced to acquire a circle with the necessary diameter for a long cape. If you want to avoid piecing, the circle diameter must be no more than 72” (183 cm).

You Will Need

• Felt or other fabric. (To determine the amount, see “Cutting Directions” below)
• Single fold bias tape
• 1 yard (91.4 cm) ribbon, for ties

Cutting Directions

Cut a square of felt or other fabric twice the desired length of the cape, plus about 3" (7.6 cm).

How to Sew a Cape With a Collar

1. Fold square of fabric for cape in half lengthwise, then crosswise. Pin layers together. Measure around base of the wearer’s neck. To find the radius, divide measurement by 3.14; then divide result by 2. Mark an arc on fabric for neck opening, measuring from folded center of fabric a distance equal to radius, using straightedge and pencil. Figure 1.

2. Mark an arc for lower edge of cape, measuring from folded center of fabric a distance equal to the desired length of cape, plus measurement of radius determined in Step 1. Figure 2.

3. Cut on marked lines through all layers. Cut along one folded edge; this will be center front opening of cape. Figure 3.

4. Measure the distance around the neck edge of cape from center front to center front, 1/2” (1.3 cm) down from the neck edge. The rectangle for the collar should be this length. The collar width can range from 2” to 4” (5.2 cm to 10.2 cm). Cut out a rectangle for the collar from leftover fabric. Figure 4.

5. Stay stitch around neck edge of cape, 3/8” (1.0 cm) from raw edge. Clip neck edges of cape to stay stitching. Pin-mark middle of collar and center back neck edge of cape.

6. Pin collar to cape along neck edge, right sides up, positioning ends of collar even with center front edges, and matching pin marks. Stitch collar to cape 1/2” (1.3 cm) from raw edges. Trim seam allowances to scant 1/4” (0.6 cm). Figure 5.

7. Cut bias tape to length of seam of neck opening, plus 1” (2.5 cm). Open one fold of bias tape. Pin bias tape to wrong side of cape along neck edge, aligning tape fold line to stitching line; extend bias tape 1/2” (1.3 cm) beyond edges at center front. Stitch on fold line.

8. Turn under the 1/2" (1.3 cm) of bias tape at each end. Fold bias tape over seam allowances; pin. Stitch close to tape edge, encasing seam allowances. Finger-press encased seam allowances toward cape at center fronts and pin.

9. Cut ribbon for ties to desired length. Turn under 1/2” (1.3 cm) on one short end; pin to cape front, 1/2” (1.3 cm) from edge at center front, centering over neck seam. Stitch tie to cape close to edges and along edge at center front.

How to Sew a Cape Without a Collar

1. Follow Steps 1 through 3 above. Cut bias tape to length of neck opening, plus 1” (2.5 cm). Open one fold of bias tape. Pin bias tape to right side of cape around neck edge, aligning raw edges; extend bias tape 1/2” (1.3 cm) beyond edges at center front. Stitch bias tape to neckline, stitching on fold line. Figure 6.

2. Press seam allowances toward bias tape. Clip the neck seam allowances as necessary. Turn under 1/2” (1.3 cm) of bias tape at each end. Fold bias tape to wrong side of cape and pin. Stitch close to remaining fold in bias tape. Follow Step 9 above, pinning ties to center front at neck edge.

Trick or Treat Bag

A fun, easy project for kids ages 5 and up! Teach them how to sew and the fun will last long after the candy is gone! You Will Need 2 pieces of orange felt, 14" x 10" (35.5cm x 25.5cm) each 1 piece of black felt 6" x 8" (15cm x 20.5cm) 1" (25mm) wide ribbon, 24" (61cm) long fabric glue thread 1. Trace the pattern pieces (download one HERE and the other HERE) onto paper. Fold orange felt in half, pin pumpkin pattern piece to the felt with the straight edge on the fold; cut two. Pin eye, nose, and mouth pattern pieces to the black felt and cut out. Remember to cut two eyes. 2. Glue the face pieces to the pumpkin. As an option, you can sew the pieces to the pumpkin by hand or by machine, using black thread. Be creative and use your own face shapes, or use fabric paint to draw the face or add embellishments. 3. Pin the ribbon handle in place on the pumpkin section without the face pieces. Baste the ribbon in place. You can use any 1" (25mm) wide ribbon. For safety, use ribbon with reflective tape. 4. Place the pumpkin section with the face on top of the pumpkin section without the face (wrong sides together), sandwiching the ribbon in-between. Pin around the outer edge. Now you're ready to sew. 5. By hand or machine, stitch around the outside of the pumpkin approximately 1/4" (6mm) from the edge. Leave a 4" (10cm) opening at the top between the handles. 6. Remove the pins and get ready to go trick or treating! More Great Ideas: Make mini pumpkins for party favors! Use a photocopier to reduce the pattern pieces 50%. Fill the pumpkins with candy corn or other treats. Have a pumpkin party! Provide felt, ribbon, and glue. Everyone goes home with a bag!

Ten Tips for Sewing Halloween Costumes

1. Costumes don’t necessarily need to be as perfect as clothing or other projects you sew. Decide whether you want your costume beautifully sewn right down to the last detail, or if you’d rather achieve the overall effect quickly.

2. Inexpensive fabrics are usually fine for costumes.

3. Since many costume fabrics are either sheer and filmy, or thick and plush, choosing a machine needle that is the appropriate type and size will help you sew these fabrics.

4. Pinking shears are great for cutting out costumes – a pinked edge is often just enough of a seam finish.

5. Add trims, appliqués, and other embellishments to dress up your costumes so they make a strong impact.

6. Most trims can be easily sewn onto costumes using a zigzag stitch.

7. Because costumes are often viewed from a short distance (and not always close up), design elements and embellishments should be exaggerated.

8. To put your costume together more quickly, consider using fusible hem tapes, spray adhesives to temporarily hold trims or appliqués in place, and fusible tapes for basting in zippers.

9. Machine accessories such as a rolling foot, a walking foot, and a Teflon foot will help you sew on slick, rubbery, or piled fabrics.

10. Glue guns can be a big help when making props and accessories such as fairy wings, royal crowns, and witch’s hats. Some parts will need to be sewn; other parts can often be glued.

Simplicity’s Halloween Tips for Safe Fun!

All of Simplicity’s costumes are designed with comfort and safety in mind. Costumes are worn not only for trick-or-treating, but also for parties, pageants, and other events. Make sure to sew your costume with the event in mind, focusing on any special needs you may have. The following tips will help you make this a safe and fun Halloween for all!

1. Hem costumes short enough to avoid accidents.

2. Most Simplicity costumes leave faces uncovered for ease of vision. If a costume requires a mask, make sure that all eyeholes are large, and that the mask fits firmly over the face.

3. An alternative to masks is face paint. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s application instructions, and test for skin sensitivity by dabbing a small amount on the inside of your arm. Leave on for at least an hour and check for rash or irritation.

4. For safe nighttime fun, add reflective-tape trim to costumes for increased visibility. Sequins and sequin tape are also good reflectors.

5. For cold weather wearing, note that all Simplicity costumes are developed with enough room for clothing underneath. Costumes that have hoods or are made out of fake fur will provide extra warmth. Another option is to make your costume out of fleece.

6. For additional warmth where fur or fleece won’t do, you can line the costume with an insulating fabric such as flannel. To do this, simply cut out all of the pattern pieces except facings in both the fashion fabric and the lining material. Before sewing the costume, stitch each piece of lining to each piece of fashion fabric. Then, sew costume as directed on guide sheet.

7. Since all fabrics are not flame retardant, take extra care near jack-o-lanterns and candles.