Fox Costume

I know it's not knitting, but it is garment-making and I was quite proud of this thing, so I'm sharing it. Last year my daughter decided she wanted to be her favorite animal for Halloween. Her favorite animal is a fox...or more specifically, a red fox. I looked high and low for a costume that would work for her and the only one we found was in the UK and was priced at $50 (shipping not included).

Let's back up a little... When I was in Middle school I took sewing classes. Keep in mind that this was in the late 80's so a sewing class was not unheard of. In that class I made an ice cream pillow and a dog sweatshirt. I probably made one or two other things but I can't remember. Sad thing is that those items have disappeared--I'm guessing in my mother's basement, or given away by her. No matter, the point is the same. I haven't sewn anything since I was about 12 yrs. old. Still, I have my grandmother's sewing machine and Megan really wanted to be a fox, so I figured "what the hell."

I found a pattern that I could modify to make it more fox-like, and together, Megan and I picked out the main fabric (a rust colored fleece) for most of the costume, plus some white faux fur for the belly and ears. I didn't want to make mittens because I knew it would be difficult for her to hold the bucket and Trick or Treat, so I bought some white stretch gloves, some black "witch" fingernails, cut the nails down, and glued them to the gloves. Worked like a charm!

I will say that I was incredibly intimidated to make this costume. The pattern wasn't very helpful and most of the things I had to do I either hadn't done in forever, or had never done. I was so sure she would end up with a Gordon Cartrell costume (reference from the Cosby Show where Denise makes Theo a shirt that is all kinds of messed up). I fretted over sewing in the zipper--my first ever--and worried that one arm would be longer than the other. In the end, it came out quite nice. Not perfect...yet not too shabby. I decided not to sew in the elastic as I practiced with it and sucked. In the end I rolled up her sleeves and ankles inside and pinned them.

She was beyond thrilled! She was a little put off by people asking if she was a cat (she did kind of look like one), but in the end she could've cared less. I got a huge boost of self-confidence and even DH was proud of me. I can't say that I've sewn anything since, yet I do want to start quilting. One day... On to the costume pics:

First, the inspiration. This is the costume that we found but had a heart attack over the price. I didn't put the faux fur at the tip of the tail on Megan's, but wish I had. Live and learn.

Now, here is the costume I made full-length

Side view


Megan being silly