As you may or may not know I am a halloween advocate to the fullest. You can see in one of my previous costume posts that I love thinking of creative costumes and making them myself. Nothing better than hearing the question "where did you buy that?" and being able to respond with "I made it myself!". Not to mention the comfort you feel knowing that no one else at any halloween gathering is going to have your costume. This year is my husbands first halloween in 2 years that he is not spending deployed, so naturally he felt as though it was his right to get to choose our costume theme.
Being true to his comic book loving self he decided he wanted to be the Joker from Batman. This decision only put me as one character, Joker's obsessed girlfriend Harley Quinn.
If I was going to have to be a well known character that is repeated at every costume party known to man, then I was going to find a way to make Harley my own. Something I love about Harley is that she's fun, genuine and always herself no matter what. That is what I needed to make my costume version of her.
That is when a 1950's pin-up Harley came to mind. I absolutely love the 50's and its trends are easily recognizable. So I then I did a little brain storming and a some terrible sketching (I had it pictured much better in my mind). Getting the perfect amount of cute/sexy Harley from the original and 1950's pin-up was not easy to figure out, but I think the outfit turned out pretty well. It was a bit time consuming since I am not exactly a professional seamstress but was totally possible given the time (I started making my costume mid september).
Costume Supplies:
*Simplicity 1426 1950's Vintage
*Wrapping paper/Newspaper (for circle skirt)
*Fabric
*Sewing Machine
*Thread
*Scissors
I started with the circle skirt and used this super easy tutorial. (I would suggest you watch it before you go purchase fabric).
A look at my circle skirt construction process.
I used a couple of tutu-torials (hehe), to get the fluff in the skirt. Super easy and cheap.
I then began making the crop top with my fabric.
Cork Gun Supplies:
*Toy Gun
*Cylinder
*Floral Foam
*Metallic Spray paint
*Cork Color Spray Paint
*Twine
Purchased at the dollar tree except the spray paint.
Took the cylinder and cut it to fit the toy gun. Then I hot glued it in place.
I happened to find the round floral foam that looked like an enlarged cork so i scored there. If you don't find it just shape what you have (it will be messy).
I spray painted my gun a metallic gray and the cork a brown. I let it sit over night then just glued all the pieces together. Using the brown twine as the cork rope.
I added diamond accents on my heels with a piece of matching black elastic. I sewed felt diamonds in the layout I wanted and then just wrapped it around the heel. This way you can use shoes you like without ruining them.
The final details were the wrist cuffs, purchased black and red (jester) gloves and the 50's glasses.
I used this how to video to make the cuffs, but I just used fabric instead of ribbon. FYI using ribbon is easier but I already had the white fabric so I used it.
Then I just added felt diamonds in opposite colors to coordinate with the characters catsuit.
Oh yea! Can't forget the red lipstick and the cat eyeliner.
I also sewed my husbands Joker shirt, vest and pants :) Kinda explained why I started creating so early. I hope this was helpful and somewhat inspirational for your next costume creation. Remember it's never too early to start deciding your next costume!
