Making A Halloween Costume

The spookiest time of the year approaches! For those who dream of ghosts and ghouls year-round, planning the costume for old Hallow’s Eve can be stressful. Only one day to wear your creations? To become someone… or something, else? Well, we’re here to help with assistance from the world of Cosplay, comics, special effects makeup, and the basics of sewing to get you started.

If you’ve never made a costume before it can frankly seem daunting. Props, clothes, wigs, it can be a lot to tackle! If you feel lost, why not go to the people who wear costumes year-round: cosplayers! Many cosplayers make their own costumes from scratch or know how to make them from pieces they find in thrift stores or online. The basics of how to treat and buy a wig, accessorize, and do fantasy makeup are also the hallmarks of good cosplay.

*Click on the photos of the cosplay books below to reserve them in our catalog!*

**Creative Cosplay – Amanda Haas**
An inspirational guide to the art of making designer-quality costumes. From how to research and decide what costume you want to make, to fabric selection, to sewing guidelines, to how to ultimately wear your costume at a convention or with friends-this book has it all.

**How To Cosplay: Volume 1**
There are a number of books out there on making the costumes for cosplaying, but until now, there have been none that specialize in cosplay make-up. Taking full advantage of the know-how amassed through its publication of various how-to books, Graphic-sha has produced a detailed and thorough book on how to do cosplay make-up.

Me and My Sewing Machine by Kate Haxell — Learning how to sew and alter clothing is a life skill that can prove worthwhile outside of just costuming. With a little practice, you can make an entirely new wardrobe or even become a fashion designer!

*HINT: If you want to practice but are worried about your budget, check your local thrift store for bedsheets and curtains. These can provide much less expensive fabric to do a rough draft of your costume with before you move to your final fabric choice.*

If you’re more of a visual learner our Hoopla services (included with your library card) have instructional videos on sewing.

Click on the photo to the left to visit Hoopla and watch the Craftsy series on sewing now!

**A Complete Guide to Special Effects Makeup Volume 2**
A Complete Guide to Special Effects Makeup Volume 2 incorporates a variety of supernatural and sci-fi character and creature designs, from zombies to dark fantasy, with step-by-step tutorials and materials guides, as well as an extended gallery section showcasing work by the best of the best!

**Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual – Bobbi Brown**
Bobbi looks at everything from skincare basics to every aspect of facial makeup–from how to find the right color and type of foundation for any skin tone to how to apply every detail of eye makeup, no matter your eye color and shape.

Whether you’re looking to do a major transformation into a monster or creature from myth or are wanting to enhance your natural beauty to glow like an elf you’ll need to get your makeup skills on point!

Now comes the time to put everything together. You have the skills. You have the will! Now you need a costume to make. Manga and comics are a great place to look for interesting costumes outside of the Costume shop’s normal options. Click on any of the photos to look at and reserve your copy!