Matching Costumes

You don't have to give up on Halloween just because you've hit 25 and don't have kids to use as a convenient excuse.

If you have pets, you can dress them up for a party or just for the heck of it. Go Trick-or-Treating under the guise of taking them for a walk, or just to see the reactions from people who are still fooling themselves that costumes are for kids.

For simplicity's sake, I've limited myself to three of the more common pets: Dogs, Cats and Lizards. Each costume will have a simple "how to make it", and what you should wear to match.

How to Make

1. Buy or make a collar a few sizes up from your dog's usual fit.
2. Buy two stuffed dog plushies, the same breed or similar as your dog.
3. Behead the plushies just below the neck.
4. Stitch the bottom seams closed. Do not gather.
5. Sew the bottom seam of the plushie head to one side of the collar. (A fabric based collar is your best choice here. Suede or a soft leather, if you absolutely must. Sewing hard leather takes specialized needles and hole punchers, and is not really for DIY beginners.)
6. Repeat with second plushie head.
7. Ignore your dog's hard-done-by expression, as they bewail the tribulations of having you for an owner. They'll forgive you after some gratuitous petting.

How to Match

1. Buy two lengths of fabric, one linen or cotton, one wool (October nights can be cold). Fabric length should be about 2.5 times the width of your shoulders, or the widest point of your body.
2. Fold the fabric in half, and sew up one side, making a tube. The bottom hem should be knee-length for Hades, or ankle-length for Persephone.
3. Hem the top and bottom. If you feel fancy, sew a ribbon with a geometric pattern at the hem.
4. Mark the shoulder points, and sew about one inch. If you are only doing one shoulder, mark the point with the fabric tight against your opposite side, to avoid any wardrobe malfunctions
5. Using a running stitch, gather the shoulder points.
6. Sew a button, or fasten a broach at the shoulder seam.
7. Use a long cord, chain or ribbon as a belt

How to Make

1. Buy fabric that either matches or contrasts with your cat's coloring. Felt or linen are your best options.
2. Cut out two sets of wing shapes. For a more flared look, make the top edge of the second wing shape about an inch taller than the first.
3. Sew the two sets together. I use a blanket stitch in a matching colour, but it's up to you
4. To stiffen the fabric, mix one part PVA glue with two parts water. Apply onto one side of the fabric, allowing it to soak in, and leave to dry overnight on baking paper or a plastic sheet. Leave a small area untreated, matching where you will sew the wings onto a pet harness.
5. Beware: Your cat will probably try to send you to Hell personally for this.

How to Match

Any basic Angel or Devil outfit from a costume store will do to match. Alternatively, you can go as yourself.

How to Make

This is a bit more complicated than the Cat-Demon wings, but the same basic principle.

1. Follow Steps 1-4 for the cat wings.
2. Using plastic or LARP armor foam, cut the desired shape for bone ridges
3. Glue into place
4. Paint or decorate according to the look you're going for. Netting laid flat and spray-painted over makes for a good scale pattern.
5. Attach to the lizard harness.
6. Ignore your pet's attempts to breathe fire. If attempts are successful, seek professional advice immediately.

How to Match

Any Princess, Knight or Prince* costume. For the very adventurous, go as a treasure hoard

*It's 2021. Dragons can insist on virgin princes, too, if they want.

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Also, check out my other entry for this challenge.