How to make the perfect costume on a budget

by Rosie Lukanc and Laura Arenschield
Staff Writers

Halloween in Athens is a time for students and community members alike to flex their creative muscles and come up with an original, entertaining costume. Uptown on Halloween Saturday is a costume fashion show, a myriad of Britneys, fairies, swimmers and milk cartons, giving everyone a chance to show their true colors under the guise of a holiday.

Although choosing a costume can be difficult, figuring out how to make it can be even harder.

Beth Adams, a Jo Ann Fabrics Halloween consultant, said most students don't have sewing machines, so they have to find other options to hold their costumes in place.

She said the store carries several glues that will hold a costume together without sewing.

"Stitch-witchery or Unique Stitch are glues, and they don't require sewing," she said. "They're permanent, but if you're going to have the costume forever, you should sew it. But if you're just going to wear it for Halloween, it's fine."

Finding a costume on a budget is not as difficult as it might seem. Many craft stores have bargain bins to find the perfect fabrics and accessories.

"The first thing we find out when someone comes in for a costume is how much they want to spend," Adams said. "If they're looking to save money, we have the Fabric Bonanza section in the back with cheaper fabrics."
Thrift store shopping also is a viable option.

Marsha Egleston, owner of Second Hand Rose, 90 N. Court St., said the store always gets busy right before Halloween.

"This is just the early group," she said. "We get really busy next week. Most of our sales are right before Halloween."

Egleston said this year, for the first time ever, she put together pre-made costume sets. Those already have sold out.

Finding inspiration for the perfect costume can be a challenge, too.

Jo Ann Fabrics has put together a Costume Consultant Guide, which suggests creative costume ideas. The pamphlet suggests strolling down the aisles of fabric, costume and thrift stores for ideas.

Fabric stores also carry pattern books, and almost all have a "costume" section to help with brainstorming.

Adams said Jo Ann Fabrics will order any pattern it doesn't already have in stock if someone wants one.

Janet Santone is a costume salesperson at Schoolkids Music and Clothing, 12 S. Court St.

She said the easiest costumes for students are pre-packaged or made using the person's own clothes.

"Get an Elvis wig, some Elvis glasses, open up your shirt collar and you're

ready to go," she said.

She said this year's most popular costumes have been basically the same as in year's past.

"(We've had) lots of angels, like always, there's always French maids, naughty nuns, naughty nurses, lots of sex-based costumes," Santone said. "People do a lot of mix and match, with new accessories and vintage clothes. People like to mix it up."