This year’s Halloween is pretty monumental. It’s the very first year I’ve ever blogged about costumes here at Crafterhours! I know, right? And it’s a great year to start, because my older girls went as kids whose mom grew up in the 80s!* I present Rainbow Brite and Jem. My older daughter actually thinks she’s pop star barbie from the princess and the popstar, or some such foolishness. So, shh, don’t tell her she’s actually something awesome.
Alright girls, can we pose again, but this time with a little more attitude? You didn’t look like you were trying hard enough to look like a teenager in that last shot.
I had the Jem costume fabric sitting on my shelf all through Project Sewn but didn’t get started on it until three days ago when we returned from vacation. Nothing like procrastination to make the world go round. I just traced a bathing suit to make the top and it was super easy, probably took 10 minutes to construct. I need to attempt full bathing suits at some point. Ruby has two great free tutorials and patterns if you’re looking for one.
The skirt is a simple tiered skirt, but took FO-EVAH to make. Probably because I have three kids and errands and chores and dinner. But also because each ruffle is the entire width of the fabric and I made 6 of them. At least I didn’t have to hem them. (That’s Rule #1 of Halloween sewing, by the way. If it doesn’t fray, it doesn’t get hemmed.) But I love how full the skirt looks with all those ruffles. I’m thinking a 7 year old could probably pass it off as everyday wear, yes?
I finished Jem two days before Halloween and that’s when I decided I should make my middle daughter a costume too. She happened to be playing with a Rainbow Brite doll at the time, and it hit me that I’ve never made a Rainbow Brite costume before! How is that even possible?? So despite the fact that neither she nor her friends have any idea who Rainbow Brite is, I forced it on her. It wasn’t hard. She is covered in rainbows, after all. And really, what other costume could I make with only fabric found in my stash? I mean, really, who doesn’t always stand ready to make a Rainbow Brite costume at any moment?
The shirt is the ever versatile Bimaa, with an altered neckline and v-shaped sleeve hems. The skirt is a simple a-line, cut to a “v” in the center front. It has an elastic back waistband.
The shoes were my magnum opus. My friend had actually asked me if I had any idea how to replicate Rainbow Brite’s boots a couple months ago and I mentioned maybe using scrunchies? Well, I totally forgot about that conversation until it came time to make MY Rainbow Brite boots! So I guess our daughters are probably twinners 4000 miles apart tonight. (sup, Aubrey!) Anyway, yes. Scrunchies! They worked perfectly! Love when life is simple like that.
I had a couple parents stop her and take her picture. Children of the 80s unite! At least the adults enjoyed it. All she got from the other kids was, “what are you?” Kids these days, I tell ya…
Happy Halloween!
*in case you’re wondering, my youngest daughter went as a 1 year old who is still jet lagged and wants to go to bed at 5 pm every night. For authenticity, she randomly broke into sobbing during dinner. Best costume ever.
Hands down, the best costumes ever. My inner child is jumping for joy seeing these!
Aw, thanks Nikki! I sure love them :)
i’ve always wanted to force a rainbow brite costume onto one of my kids!!! maybe next year… as a bonus, mine actually kinda know who she is because i think they watched a movie once or something… love both outfits!
I say WE go as RB next year! I wouldn’t need much convincing.
Those are awesome! I love that Jem is on netflix now, my daughter has watched most of the episodes. Another one my daughters have enjoyed is She-Ra – my oldest daughter insisted on going as her for Halloween a few years ago and I put together a pretty rockin costume, gold lamé and all. No one knew who she was but she cared not a bit – just held her sword high for the honor of Grayskull.
Oh man, I need to youtube it. We don’t have Netflix here. She-Ra was my favorite – I might have to do that next year!
So so cute!!!
Thanks lady!
had the youngest dressed as something other than a one year old, i would have liked to seen her in an Alf costume to round out the 80s theme. these looks great! and how did i miss the tutorial on how to pose for a pic? everyone is doing this elbow thing, even your girls. i’m behind the times.
DUDE!!! ALF!! What a missed opportunity! Can I call a re-do?
I have no idea what the elbow thing is – they did all these poses on their own. I just aim and click.
Rainbow Brite… is a shining light…
I LOVE your little Rainbow Brite!! :)
Thanks Bethany!
awwwwahahahakkkkk awesome!!! ’80s costumes are totally amazing, you did such a good job. also, i’m on board with your “no hems” philosophy, though I did hem O’s since I think they’re quickly turning into every day wear. hers? nope.
Thanks Kristin! Yeah, I think I’ll probably get around to hemming the RB shirt because I’m hoping she’ll wear it in real life :) Always nice when costumes pull double duty!
Best. Costumes. Ever.
They remind me so much of my childhood – if I ever have little girls, I hope they let me dress them up as Jem and Rainbow Brite.
She thought she was Barbie but she was actually something awesome! I love it! I hope to pull off that sort of trickery on my daughter at some point.
Absolutely loving this! My kids were a My Little Pony and Spike the dragon for the second year in a row now, so we definitely need to get in on the Rainbow Brite action next year! Toss in a Care Bear, a Fraggle, maybe a She-Ra, and we’ve got ourselves a full fledged 80’s Halloween!
This is so rad! I was obsessed with rainbow brite and popples as a kid. You are my sewing hero. I swear.
Truly Outrageous :D