Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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Homemade Jesse & Slinky Dog Costumes From Toy Story

Dude, I did it! I semi-DIYed my very first Halloween costumes, and I lived to tell the tale. It actually wasn’t too hard (do you believe that I didn’t sew a single thing?). Holla!

Halloween 1 Greeting

In case it’s not super obvious, Clara asked to go as Jessie (the cowgirl from Toy Story) and Burger gets to be Slinky Dog (also from Toy Story). Here were most of my supplies for Clara’s costume:

  • a “cowgirl hat” from a local pop-up Halloween store
  • red yarn and white duct tape from AC Moore
  • flared jeans from Old Navy (you know I used a coupon and bought them on discount Tuesdays)

Halloween 2 Materials

The first thing I tackled was making a long Jessie-ish braid from the yarn and used the white duct tape to connect it to the hat. Looks pretty bad from the inside, but thankfully it’s all covered up when Clara puts it on, and it doesn’t seem to bother her (she loves her Jessie hair, and it actually seems to help make the slightly-too-big hat fit her a bit better – even though it still slides around a little).

Halloween 3 Braid Taped

Oh and she needed winter shoes/boots, so I found these cowgirl-ish boots at Old Navy on sale, so they’ll not only serve as shoes for the costume but she’ll hopefully get lots of wear out of them this winter. I also picked up an on-sale white button down (in the boy’s section) that she can wear well beyond this costume. And speaking of wearing-beyond-the-costume, see the jeans? I cow-patterned them up with white duct tape that I cut into different cow-spot-ish shapes. So it’s 100% removable so the jeans, the shirt, and the boots can just be worn normally after Halloween until Clara outgrows them.

Halloween 4 Costume Done

As for slinky dog’s costume, I just got a quarter yard of brown felt from JoAnn (on sale for 50 cents), cut it into a small strip that wraps around Burger’s tummy, and used velcro at each side of the strip to secure it under his ribcage. Then for the “slinky” we just got two yards of silver trim (from the aisle with all the fringe and beaded trim that you buy by the yard at JoAnn). I didn’t even sew the slinky trim onto the felt since I secured it with safety pins on the outside of the costume under his belly (so they’re not against Burger’s skin, they’re on the outside of the felt sleeve). I intended to stitch it after pinning it just to see how it looked, but it seems to work as-is. Burger doesn’t exactly love Halloween costumes – he wiggles out of them in about 5.5 seconds – so I figured it wasn’t worth breaking out a needle.

Halloween 5 Burger Up Close

Oh man, and my favorite detail is the gold fringe that I added to the bottom of Clara’s flared jeans. She LOVES it (“look how they shake mommy!”) and I’m so excited that it was only $1 worth of trim from JoAnn which I safety pinned in place (so once again, it can be removed and Clara can wear these jeans for the rest of the year). Although she loves them so much, we might de-cow-spot them and leave the fringe on for a little while… just because she gets such a kick out of it.

Halloween 6 Clara Fringe Feet

Here’s Clara’s Jessie hair from the back. Isn’t that long braid adorable? Oh man, I think my brain will explode when she actually has hair I can braid. Squuuueeeee!

Halloween 7 Clara Back

Oh and the belt! I made that with another trim thing I found at JoAnn (it was woven leather-looking trim that was the perfect width for her pants). I secured it with a round plastic pin/button (you know, the ones people wear on their lapel that say “vote for me for student council”) but it was a clear fillable plastic button, so I opened it and put yellow construction paper in it with a star in front of it that I cut from leftover brown slinky dog felt. Since it has a safety pin on the back of it, it holds the woven trim together like a belt, so for around $4 I made her that little cowgirl accessory.

Halloween 8 Clara Smiling

Weirdly enough, Clara’s favorite Jessie activity so far has been sliding her legs out on the floor like this in her boots (and occasionally hurting Woody, if he’s nearby). She’s got the moves like Jagger.

Halloween 9 Stepping On Woody

What sort of costumes are you guys DIYing this year? Anyone else using odd things like white duct tape when it comes to your costume? Or are you happy to buy something cute off the rack if it grabs you? I gotta admit we did that last year…

Costumes Sucking Thumb

… and the year before…

Halloween Costumes

… and it was tons of fun too. Hope you guys all have a safe and happy Halloween!!! And I’d love to hear (and see!) what your kiddos are going to be this year. And any grown ups in costume = awesomeville. Links, links, y’all!

Comments

  1. Katie says

    I think I might be psychic! Just this weekend I was thinking how cute it would be if Clara went as Jessie. Is that weird? Well done on the costume and using items she can wear afterwards!

    Reply

  3. Bethany A says

    So cute!! You did a great job!! I have three kiddos and they are all dressing up like Despicable Me characters. My oldest (7) and only girl is going to be the oldest orphan girl and my two boys (2 and 6 mos) are little minions. We got their hats off etsy and then paired that with denim overalls and yellow shirts. SO CUTE! I’m just so glad that my daughter agreed to a theme with her brothers. Not sure how much longer she will allow that!! LOL!

    Reply

  5. Ellen says

    She is adorable!

    We pretty much semi-DIY our costumes every year. This year my husband and baby and I went as a sideshow – I was the fortune teller in a puffy blouse and broomstick skirt and lots of scarves and jewelry. Husband was the lion tamer in tan pants and shirt and a camo vest and bullwhip from the Halloween store. Baby was the strong man, in a white and blue striped romper (that he already owned), drawn on handlebar mustache, hair slicked into a center part and then his fake 500 lbs barbell, which was hacked from two plastic ball and chains from the Halloween store and a cut to size dowel. Two stepsons were Frodo and the internet horror meme Slender Man. I think you can see a pic here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lnboz/8141626969/in/photostream

    Reply

  6. Brittany J. says

    Love the Jesse costume! But I think slinky dog is too darn cute! I always DIY my costumes, it just makes it more fun that way.

    This year I’m bringing back the ‘Quailman’ costume I used for a superhero themed Relay for Life. All clothes I owned (except the cape and tightie whities) or bought cheap.

    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=686884800657&set=t.46603817&type=3&theater

    And back at home we did ‘Supergirl’ and ‘Underdog.’ All clothes we had (even for Underdog) and some felt.

    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=758277773567&set=a.639917633237.2101275.46603817&type=3&theater

    Happy Halloween!

    Reply

  7. Amy says

    Super cute. We love Jessie and the Toy Story gang! I made the kids costumes this year too. Actually came out really good considering I sewed the outfits together on my own. They are dressing up as Jake and Izzy from Jake and the Neverland Pirates. Despite the possibility of bad weather here in the RVA we hit up the Halloween events around town this past weekend so the kids could wear the costumes to their hearts content.

    Reply

  10. hillary says

    OH MY GOSH their costumes are awesome!! Definitely the best yet. My mom used to make my costumes when I was a kid too; I loved it. Maybe one year consider making her something that she can keep as-is into the future. 20+ years later I still have and cherish a butterfly costume my mom made for me at age 3 or 4 — a great memory and example of her love.

    On another note, I too am dressed up today! I lost a bet with my boss and had to wear a costume to work… I’m dressed as a German Beer Girl and brought in some St. Pauli Girl to go with my liderhosen :) Happy Halloween!

    Reply

  11. Heidi says

    Dear YHL,
    Clara’s costume is one class act. Love “Toy Story”. I cannot imagine what you could create if you sewed? You are so creative. A Home Economist–yup we are still out here–who wants you to start sewing! Anyway you do great work! Enjoy your book tour up North–sounds like an adventure

    Reply

  12. Kelly says

    I love it! She looks like she’s enjoying herself too! After making a scarecrow costume for my son last year, I feel lame for using a hand me down tiger costume this year. It looks really cute with his baby sister’s lion (also hand-me down) costume though. I’m trying to throw together last minute safari guide outfits for my husband and me, but we don’t seem to have the right hats.

    Reply

  13. Linda says

    Aughhh – duct tape!!! Why didn’t I think of that? My 9 year old is a dog this year, and we painted the spots on a jogging suit. Definitely not re-usable and the paint made the fabric a little “crunchy”. On the plus side, it was a great craft project that we worked on together!

    Reply

  14. Brenda says

    So adorable! That braid is fabulous. I love a good DIY costume! In 2011 I had a murder mystery birthday party and needed to dress up as a flapper. So I took a dress I already had and crocheted a beaded fringy belt that I tacked onto the dress with a little bit of sewing. I also crocheted a “feather” boa, so I was pretty styling.

    Reply

  17. Caity says

    We always DIY our costume by piecing together what we can find from thrift stores…and we’re always really pleased with the results :)

    Last year was probably my favorite couple costume my husband and I have done…Dexter and a victim:

    http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1594260703137.2076304.1434510079&type=3#!/photo.php?fbid=2090697513747&set=a.1594260703137.2076304.1434510079&type=3&theater

    And this year, I was Effie Trinket from the Hunger Games :)

    http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2939636936702.2120296.1434510079&type=3#!/photo.php?fbid=3740193310111&set=a.2939636936702.2120296.1434510079&type=3&theater

    Reply

  18. Elaina says

    I totally used duct tape to make designs on my costume this year too! I went out as the Riddler from Batman this past weekend and covered my green skirt and blazer with black duct tape question marks!!

    Awesome for turning the work blazer into a fun Halloween costume then back again… no one will ever know! lol

    Reply

  19. Kristina says

    Lovin it! Making costumes is so much fun, I love doing it. So far I have done a chicken from white boas (thanks Martha Stewart), a scarecrow (from tulle and burlap), and this year, my daughter is a monarch butterfly. Can’t wait till tonight!

    Reply

  21. Holly says

    Beyond precious! Glad everything ok for you and your family. Will keep an eye on the calendar on the BookEnds event for Friday evening in NJ :)

    Reply

  23. Amy D says

    Love the costumes – so creative! My puppyface was a dinosaur and a horse (the costume was a stuffed jockey that looks like he’s riding her). She didn’t mind the dinosaur costume because it was like a shirt, but she HATED the jockey one. She’d spin around like a maniac to try and get it off. Twas hilarious, but I only kept it on long enough to get a good pic. Hope you guys have a fun Halloween and safe travels on your tour stops!

    Reply

  25. Cristy says

    My oldest daughter decided that she wanted to go as Rapunzel, & fortunately her cousin dressed up as Rapunzel last year, so we just borrowed that costume. Then she decided that her little sisters should fit her theme and the 4 year old should be Pascal & the 2 year old should be Maximus…

    …no one makes Pascal or Maximus costumes. So, after some Pinterest & googling, I created a pascal costume out of a green tshirt, green leggings, green visor (w/styrofoam balls glued onto it) & some green fabric which I sewed & stuffed to create a tail (which honestly looks like green intestines)….

    then, I got a white hoodie & white fleece pants, sewed on some fringe trim down the middle of the back of the hoodie, & created a tail out of some white cording. I bought a few sheets of brown & black fleece from the fabric store and hot glued a saddle-ish shape to the back of the hoodie & hoof shapes to the ankle & wrists… I’m just now remembering this morning that I forgot to make Maximus’s ears… oh well…

    Reply

  27. Katy D says

    We’re all Going as the characters from Peter pan!

    A few years ago a friend of mine and her whole family went as the Mario Bros. characters. Then after halloween they went and rode go-carts at a local place. Talk about real-life Mario-cart!

    Reply

  29. Nora Rose says

    I was a boring cat this year (so easy to DIY a cat ear headband) but it was done in less than 15 minutes with supplies I already had. One year we did full on Ghostbusters outfits with Dickie’s jumpsuits… Just waiting a few more years to bring them back out again!

    Reply

  30. Morgan says

    I am so in love with this! I am just going to be a witch. I pulled some old Goodwill clothes out of my closet, bought a witch’s hat, and a broom. So excited. Have fun tonight! Happy Halloween, Petersiks!

    Reply

  31. Deena says

    My baby girl’s (who is just a couple of months younger than Clara!) costume is partially DIY-ed. She’s a (cute) witch. Her top is just a plain leotard that I had a friend embroider with “bewitching,” my friend also made the bow on the witch hat, I made the tutu with supplies from JoAnn (black sparkle mesh and Halloween themed tulle with stars), and striped leg warmers. Her hat is store bought – I stabbed it with a knife (ooh ahh) so that the bow’s barrette would go through – she can use the bow for years to come on Halloween. She’s wearing her winter boots as well!

    Pics: http://deenariley.com/happy-halloween

    Happy Halloween, Petersiks!!!

    Reply

  32. Jessica G. says

    Oh Clara, you kill me with cuteness! With all the storm updates on the news 24/7, I didn’t even remember it was Halloween today. I’m really glad the NYC event is being rescheduled. I am so excited to go see you guys but am stuck in Brooklyn until the subways start running again, which I guess will be quite a while. Good luck on the rest of your tour, and please keep us updated!

    Reply

  33. John says

    Looks great, she has grown up so fast. Remember to keep an eye out for leaves piling up on you sunroom roof, don’t need another leak.

    Reply

  34. Tara says

    So cute! I already celebrated at a friend’s Halloween party this past weekend, and went as Pinterest. It was kind of inconvenient to hold a piece of cardboard all night, but we take our costumes VERY seriously…one girl even created a working Operation game board on her body! Obviously I pinned my costume on Pinterest :)

    http://pinterest.com/pin/246994360785134979/

    Hope you guys have a fun time tonight! Happy Halloween!

    Reply

  35. Rachel says

    Homemade costumes are the best! Clara is the cutest Jesse!

    We never bought any from the store. My favorite was the Indian dress my mom made me out of tan colored thinner than velvet (I don’t know what it was, velour?) material and tied beads all over it. I still have it somewhere.

    Reply

  36. Skooks says

    DIYing some stuff this afternoon. Gotta love Halloween procrastination. Found a really nice lion costume off the rack for my 3 year old (returned from an online purchase so it was deeply discounted at Target), a witch hat & black skirt for $3/ea for my 5 year old, and I’m working on a cardboard box to make a wardrobe for my 6 month old. She’ll be peeking out of it as Lucy. :)

    Reply

  43. Kate says

    I’m super-lucky this year because my 10-year-old son is perfectly happy to wear the bat costume I made for my daughter two years ago(his bat costume from that year is outgrown). I took a black hoodie, cut a dollar store umbrella in half, sewed the pieces to each arm and side of the hoodie, and sewed on thick pieces of foam cut into ear shapes and spray-painted grey and black. Easy-peasy and all of it could come off so the hoodies could be used as hoodies. Oh, and about 11 bucks each. :)

    Reply

  44. Mallory says

    Love love love Clara’s costume! She is so adorable :)

    Every year my friends and I go to an interactive Rocky Horror Picture Show at a theatre nearby. Where we actually get to throw around toast and toilet paper.

    We have loads of fun. Here’s a link to a pic (not sure if it’ll work though – I’m the one in the blue doctors outfit lol)

    https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/?ui=2&ik=1048d94abd&view=att&th=13ab743057ab15a2&attid=0.1&disp=inline&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P9zwXyP3kWH6F75m7pHAh1i&sadet=1351694389448&sads=cOwv0aZk9vsC5t06zz1lwIkcYWU&sadssc=1

    Can’t wait to see you guys in the T-dot! (Toronto lol)

    Reply

  46. Jessica says

    So what are you and John dressing as??? :) we want to see your costume too. Clara looks adorable and great job on her costume.

    Has she actually watched the whole movie, my boy just wont sit still, I don’t know when we will get to watch a Disney movie with him.

    Reply

  48. The Undomesticated Wife says

    Love the costume pairings each year. Too cute! I love to dress up my dogs, but they hate it, so they only wear them for about a minute or two – long enough for pix.

    This year I am Rosie the Riveter! Not store bought – made it myself, including a victory roll in the front of my red bandana!

    Reply

  49. Marie Kovarik says

    I love that she can still wear everything. At first I thought the spots were painted on, but the removable duct tape was genius. She looks super cute.

    Reply

  50. ali says

    Awesome! I am so excited for this year now that the kids are 3 and 4 – they are so ready to go!
    Funny adult costume: My husband is Trey, someone saw another Trey at a party this weekend with paint chips taped all over his shirt…50 Shades of Trey :)

    Reply

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