Best Halloween Costume Ever -- Lil' Turkey

The best Halloween costume I've ever seen wasn't one I wore but one I made. A friend of mine asked if I could sew a turkey costume for her daughter (whose nickname is, appropriately, "Turkey"). After some looking, she found this pattern online.

Basically, you make a brown sack-shirt, sew on some stuffed feathers, cover the hat, and glue pretty fabric "feathers" onto the posterboard tail. (In fairness to the person who invented the pattern, I'm going to recommend that you visit her pattern for the details. The one thing I'd advice is that you use a gluegun for the tail, not sticky fabric spray...mine didn't want to stay on the posterboard) Since I made it by hand, this took a couple days. I expect that with a sewing machine, someone with a little experience should be able to finish it in a single Saturday.

Not only is it perfectly adorable and easy enough to make, the costume has some features which make it ideal for a baby.

First: The tail is detachable (using velcro strips)

This means that if your little one gets tired or fussy, you can just take the tail off. It also makes getting into the costume much easier, since it's just a matter of getting a sack over the baby's head. No messing with the tail until afterwards.

Plus, if you're using a stroller, you don't even have to attach the tail. You can just set it behind the baby. (note, if you're going to be using a stroller, make sure you cut the posterboard for the tail so that it will fit properly into the stroller.)

Second: Baby can wear warm pajamas under the sack.

Halloween can be a pretty cold night. Some costumes don't provide much warmth. The advantage of the lil' turkey is that your baby's already wearing a warm onesie or jammies underneath. They're meant to resemble the turkey's legs, but as long as you buy warm ones (or reuse a warm pair you already have), then you won't have to worry as much about the baby getting chilly. (I still wouldn't advise being out too long if it's cold.)

Third: Less hassle.