Consider yourself fortunate if you know how to sew. Not only can you save money by sewing your own clothes and costumes, you know that the quality is there in every piece you make, in the materials you purchase and in your craftsmanship.

Free Online Costume Patterns

On the Internet you will find many sites that allow you to print your own free costume patterns for children and adults. HGTV, the home and garden television network, offers many hours of craft-based programming. Because of the network's emphasis on crafts and home arts, the network's web site provides free printable costumes.

You can use these costume patterns to make your own skeleton, ghoul, duck, or wizard costumes for children or adults. HGTV also offers costume patterns for toddler and baby costumes like a mermaid, rubber ducky, bunny, cow, and sheep.

Another web site, called the Catt Box, offers fun costumes in an Elvis Presley theme. At the Catt Box, you will find costume patterns for Elvis capes and collars, and ideas for creating an entire look as an Elvis impersonator.

Kid's Domain offers a fun variety of costume patterns. Make your own Halloween or pretend play costumes, like M&M candies, grapes, or traditional scary Halloween characters: witches, eyeballs, ghosts, and scarecrows.

If you want to make a costume that looks like a fictional character, you will find costume patterns online to make everything from the entire character list of the Rocky Horror Picture Show to the doughboy hat that the Pillsbury doughboy wears. Superheroes like Batman, Spiderman, and Superman are perennial favorites, and patterns for these costumes are easy to find and make.

If you wish to purchase your costume patterns, go to a traditional fabric and sewing supply store. Virtually every pattern book has a costume section where you can browse for the latest in costume fashions and trends.

Accessories

After you have your costume completed, you will still need to select accessories and props: things like wigs, hats, shoes, belts, jewelry, makeup, and other accessories to make your costume complete. Garage sales and thrift stores are a great source of inexpensive costume accessories you can use to make your costume truly special and unique.

Care

Always make your costumes out of the very best materials you can afford to use. After the holiday or the party is over, inspect the costume for stains or tears and repair any damage or have it cleaned before you put it away until the next time.