Halloween and dress-up costume sewing patterns

Last-minute picks

Short on time? These take an hour or less: the superhero cape and the fabric crown (about 45 minutes each), and the wings and the wizard hat (about an hour).

The wings are quilted, which is what keeps them standing out instead of flopping down. You layer the front, batting and back, sew around, turn, then stitch the veins through all the layers. Elastic loops go over the shoulders. They come in toddler, kid and adult sizes: pick your size in the app and print just that one.

The dinosaur tail is sized by waist: 18 to 22, 22 to 26 and 26 to 30 inches. The spikes can be felt, which needs no turning. The cape comes in three lengths, for ages 1 to 3, 4 to 7 and 8 to 12, and ends between the knee and the calf. For young children, use a hook-and-loop closure at the neck so it pulls apart easily.

The wizard hat is sized by head: 20.5, 22 and 23½ inches. The jester hat goes from kid to adult large, and the crown from baby to child. The Santa and elf hats are in the Christmas collection too. And if the dog wants in on it, the dog cap comes in four sizes, XS to L.

Sizes and times

Dress the goose too

If there is a porch goose at your door, it can have a costume as well: witch, ghost and pumpkin are on the Halloween goose page.

For planning a costume from start to finish, read DIY Halloween costumes to sew.