Actual Hallowe’en photo
Okay, why is it so hard to get good Hallowe’en photos? every year I vow that I will, and every year I end up with a couple of fuzzy shots of kids running away to the next house while trick-or-treating. >_<
The best actual Hallowe’en picture.
Anyway, I’d say the Steampunk costumes were a success, at least as costumes. As costumes for Hallowe’en in Saskatchewan… not so much. I think the last several years in balmy southern Alberta kind of messed with my head in the Hallowe’en-costume-planning department. Note To Tanit: Saskatchewan Hallowe’en costumes should be: showing NO skin, ideally can cover a snow suit. Scarves are a bonus.
It took me the better part of a month to work up the energy to wrangle the girls back into costume (and makeup), and at this point I’m really too tired of all of it to do much introspection. Which is too bad, because there’s probably a fair bit left to say, if only about the jackets.
Yes, so late the Christmas tree is already up.
(Note—I didn’t put the tree up.)
OK, I know you pretty much saw that one already. Anyway, prepare for pretty much a photo essay, with minimal commentary.
Tyo, giving me crap for taking the photos so late.
Pocket watches were an important elements of the costumes.
A long-awaited closeup of Syo’s hat
I must confess, I think Syo’s hat with the painted holly berries actually crosses the seasons nicely.
Syo’s pocketwatch. All pocketwatches courtesy of my mother. (Without whom these costumes really wouldn’t have happened, I think.)
The tailcoats were adapted from the much-maligned McCall’s 5312. Originally Syo didn’t want one, but it turned out the size 10 was too small for Tyo, and Syo consented to wear it (thankfully, as she would’ve been even colder than she was already without it). She’s been wearing it at least weekly since, so I think that’s a win.
Tailcoat and monocle.
Syo requested an internal pocket for her pocketwatch. Tyo didn’t, but I should’ve included one anyway. Oops.
Internal pocketwatch pocket.
Syo’s monocle actually turned out really cool (and had an actual magnifying lens, too). It’s made from an old earring and some kind of jeweller’s loupe. Unfortunately it spent the entire actual Hallowe’en tucked in a pocket with the pocketwatch.
Syo with monocle
I had a lot of fun painting the jackets with black, brown, and silver. Why? Well, mostly because. Also, it was fun. I lined the jackets with this fun printed quilted lining fabric I picked up at Value Village on a whim sometime last spring—it was one of those things I really wasn’t sure I should ever have bought, since it’s right on the border between awesome (a cool print) and horrible (quilted lining is one of those things I generally loathe). However, it really came into its own here, I think—giving body to the wimpy suiting fabric I was using for the shells, and adding much-needed warmth. Seriously, I can’t believe how long my kids wore these outside. It was -7C, -14C with the wind chill, and we were out for almost three hours, with only a couple of warm-up stops.
Jackets. Also, I want to eat your brains. But your hat first.
My mom offloaded generously gave us a bag of old stenciling supplies a week or two before Hallowe’en, including a lovely, delicate rose stencil. I couldn’t resist adding it to the coats in a couple of places. I just used the same acrylic paint I used on the rest of the coats. I don’t particularly expect a lot from this down the road, but it served the purpose at the time.
Painted jacket: ruffle trim and stenciled rose.
I think that’s about enough. I added length to the sleeves of the coats, and the tails, of course. I think I didn’t get the button positioning quite right, as the lapels (which I interfaced) rolled nicely but sat better before I put the buttons on.
And now, on to more recent things. I have a backlog building up, as those (few) of you following on twitter or instagram probably know already…
Of course, none of it’s been for me. *pout*
Tanit-Isis Sews 
These are fantastic! I love both outfits, and am super impressed by the girls stamina in cold Halloween temps. Granted, as I remember, nothing helps keep you motivated when wearing skimpy costumes than the prospect of free candy! 😀
I want those jackets. lol
Oh oh oh oh. That AMAZING hat! The frilled tail coat! The high waisted shorts and braces! The rose stencil! The pleather shorts with corset lacing! The goggles! Is it ok that I am TOTALLY lusting after both of these outfits for myself? What amazing personality in these garments. I love them and am totally inspired by the creativity the three of you (and your mum) put into this. Just incredible.
Seeing your “actual” Halloween photos reminds me of the confusion I experienced when we moved to Saskatchewan. In BC or the Yukon, kids don’t go out trick or treating until it’s dark, our first Halloween in the flatland was a Sunday, and we had kids coming to the house in the very early afternoon. It just seems so wrong.
However, your kids definitely score a 10 on the coolness scale (not temperature!), I bet they were the only steampunk in a sea of princesses and witches. Great job!
Well, these photos were from when we first went out, around 5. In our defense, we had preschoolers in the group, otherwise probably wouldn’t have gone before 7(and then I really wouldn’t have any photos 😉 ). I get taking the really little kids out around 4-5 but would never do before that.
In BC even little ones don’t go out until after dark, even ones that have to be carried. Cultural differences in Canada, eh?
Both costumes are so cool. I can’t believe how grown up Tyo looks! That was a really impressive amount of work that went in to making those.
Those are really wonderful costumes! Well done! But next year, when they won’t pose for you on Halloween, remind them they will just have to do it in November.
Very cool – I especially like the details on the hats and the lining of the tailcoat. I’m amazed the girls were able to dash about — maybe they can be yettis next year. much warmer.
You know that you are the coolest mum don’t you? And -7? For 3 hours? Wow, that’s endurance in the name of candy and costumes.
Seriously impressed here. Both by what you were able to whip out, and by the girls’ ability to stand wearing those costumes in the snow! Apparently steampunk costumes = +3 to cold resistance.
Those are great costumes, it isn’t something that would ever have crossed my mind but I’d love to have costumes like that showing up at my door. We are always trying to rush home to make sure we don’t miss any kids and anxiously waiting at 6 but not many show up before 6:30 really.
You really went all out this year… I cannot believe you managed to make such awesome costumes for the whole family!!! Way to go – you really knocked it out of the park – they look amazing! 🙂
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