Erica Jancelewicz
Angel • Raychel (5)
Start with a white dress as the centerpiece for this angel costume. Make wings using foam board (oversized for effect). Then staple coffee filters folded in half and facing down and toward the body. Thick white pipe cleaners or a feather boa will trim out the edges. You can make the halo from large white pipe cleaners, too.
Craft supplies from Michael’s, model from Colours agency
Robot • Will (7)
Find a medium-sized cardboard box that fits over your child’s torso, cut holes for arms and head. Paint box with silver spray paint. Use nuts, screws, a light switch, and dryer vent hoses to make your robot look 50’s high tech. Wrap comfy shoes or rain boots in tin foil and hold into place with clear tape.
Supplies from Home Depot.
Pirate • Jevin (4)
A pair of black pants and a sporty white shirt can quickly become a pirate’s costume. Use a red fabric to create a sash for the belt, with a little extra tied around the head for a colorful headband. Tuck pants into rain boots. Buy a hat or cut out a pirate skull from felt to adorn. Arrr!
Fabric from Hancock’s
Cat in the Hat • Estelle (6)
Use black tights, long-sleeved black tee, and tutu as your base. To embellish tutu, cut white and red tulle fabric into long, 2-inch wide strips that reach to the knee. Tie strips onto elastic. Cut a small piece of furry fabric in the shape of an arch and sew onto front of top. Make a red bow and attach to fur. Purchase hat at a toy shop.
Supplies from Hancock Fabrics, hat from Village Toymaker
Flower child • Kathryn (10)
Pull out that tie-dyed shirt your kid made at camp last summer and pair with a some groovy, faded jeans from Goodwill. Sew on a colorful patch, use scrap fabric for belt, then add a headband or some funky glasses (think Janis Joplin) to complete this hippie look.
Craft supplies from Michael’s
Lady bug • Arianna (6)
Start with black top and tights. Make tutu from four-inch wide red tulle strips sewn together. Use black felt for the polka dots, cut into circles (trace around a cup for size), then glue felt circles onto the skirt. The antennae are made from two black pipe cleaners attached to a headband, with fuzzy balls glued on the ends. Craft the wings from large black pipe cleaners and tie together at the back.
Supplies from Michael’s
Production and photography by Erica Jancelewicz • Photography by Erica Makeup and Hair by Anna VanWinkle Cat in the Hat costume by Jen Duckworth
Special thanks to our models (and their moms): Arianna, Estelle, Jevin, Kathryn, Raychel, & Will