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Hello! I'm Suzannah, a serious DIYer and mom of two little ones. Follow along with my DIY fixer upper house renovations, sewing and crafty projects, real food recipes, and de-stressing goals.
I believe you can love your home just the way it is, AND have the power to design and make big changes to make it better.
I'm also the author of DIY Wardrobe Makeovers!

Halloween!!! I actually made a costume this year and it rocks!

Big news from a DIYer at Halloween! I haven't had a reason to make a costume in years, and in college when I had parties to go to I usually just wore some funky vintage combination and called it a character. But this year I'm so excited--I actually made myself a super awesome costume, put a lot of work into it, and had lots of fun!

In August I finally saw The Avengers, and decided: Yep, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow would be a pretty cool Halloween costume. Gee, if only I could sew my own... (I'm sure there are storebought ones out there, but I've never liked the look of those packaged Halloween bag costumes... I'm a DIYer, anyway.) Here she is:


Jumpsuit with cool accessories, right? I studied it closely, and bought some heavier stretch suedecloth from JoAnn and used the wrong side, which looks kind of like the neoprene-ish fabric of her suit. I couldn't find a unitard or jumpsuit pattern, so I bought a dumpy fleece jacket pattern and cut it WAY smaller for the bodice. Then I traced a pair of skinny pants and cut them way larger, and then folded halfway down the center front and back of each leg and made a tuck, which I topstitched for the center seam look. I sewed the pants and jacket together, and the seam is covered with the waist belt.

Ta-da!

Another photo I studied, for the sleeves, collar, and V-shape panel details...


My version!

I was so excited about being something from a cool movie that I really wanted to do themed costumes... I wanted my husband to wear another cool costume from the Avengers, but the only one he wanted to be was Iron Man. And of course you can't just be Iron Man, without a 12' tall metal suit and all... but as we were getting the fabric cut for my costume, the girl at the cutting counter mentioned that ThinkGeek makes an LED arc reactor t-shirt that lights up and everything!

That gave us an idea. I figured, we could buy it for the $30, not too bad, or... maybe we could make one. So I picked up a bunch of stuff at Dollar Tree and I MADE this little "arc reactor" out of a closet light, circular pill organizer, and some strategically trimmed tape. I found a sort of sheer but dark t-shirt at Goodwill that the LED light showed through super well. It was a closet light base, so it already had an adhesive circle, and he just stuck it on under the shirt! Haha!

So we had a pretty cool themed costume look to wear at a party last weekend. If you follow me on Instagram (@adventuresindressmaking), you saw the sneek peek! Jason tried to make a smug Tony Stark face, haha.
My IG
I do really like Halloween, and love when everyone gets creative and dresses up! But like I said, never really made myself something before. I hope I have an inspiration next year and can do it again (although, this Black Widow costume will have to come out of the closet again sometime... too much work and too cool not to wear more than once!). Did you DIY your costume this year??!

33 comments

  1. Excellent Job! Happy Halloween!

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  2. Anonymous10/31/2012

    Looks absolutely amazing, had to scroll back and forth to catch that one was you and one was SJ :) I was lazy and just ironed on a decal - next year we'll have a house and reason to dress up with trick or treaters visiting! Stephanie

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  3. Anonymous10/31/2012

    Very nice! Lots of attention to detail. I made my costume too- I was an owl.

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  4. This is so great! My boyfriend and I also get pretty into DIYing Halloween costumes, and I always love to see others. :)

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  5. I love them!! Brilliant!

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  6. Anonymous10/31/2012

    Really, really great job! I love it! Also a great movie!

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  7. this is amazing - you look perfect!!

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  8. Anonymous10/31/2012

    Love your outfit! I think you look WAY better than Scarlett Johansson!

    I am like you in that I don't usually dress up for Halloween but this year was different. I was Tippi Hedren from "The Birds."

    I posted about it here :
    http://www.madalynne.com/how-i-wore-it-my-halloween-costume

    and I even made a tutorial here:
    http://www.madalynne.com/halloween-costume-diy-tippi-hedren-from-the-birds

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  9. WOW! You're a ringer for Black Widow in your costume. Nice work!

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  10. Your costume turned out sooooo bad ass!!! I loved being able to see it in person! You inspire me woman!

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  11. Um, I saw the sneak peek on Instragram, but I had no idea you MADE the Tony Stark light! I thought it was just painted or a sticker. SO AWESOME.

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  12. This is beyond rad. Wowwww :)

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  13. Holy cow!! I can't believe you made all that yourself. Well, I can, but I'm still amazed. Great job! You guys look awesome.

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  14. Anonymous10/31/2012

    Super cool!

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  15. Oh my gosh! This turned out so well! Props.

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  16. This is awesome! Great job!

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  17. I love this costume! So creative. :) Happy Halloween!

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  18. You nailed it, girl! Good job!

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  19. Wow Susannah - I don't know why I am still amazed by what you make, this is truly awesome. Great job!

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  20. Honestly could not tell the difference between you and Scarlett Johannsen!
    Wicked costumes. Happy Halloween x

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  21. Jumpsuits seem pretty intense--I bet a lot of hours went into it. Much braver than I! A great couple costume idea too!!

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  22. You definitely win the 'best Halloween costume on the internet' prize. Love love love your outfit! What a great inspiration too. I love that you saw the character and went with it 100%, very clever! I have never made a Halloween costume (we don't really celebrate it in Australia or Europe).... your creation makes me think perhaps I should have a go next year. GREAT work!

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  23. Anonymous11/01/2012

    This costume is great it really is faithful to the original and you look AMAZING!

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  24. Anonymous11/01/2012

    AWESOME! Love the costumes!

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  25. Anonymous11/01/2012

    Hello, I'm Valérie, I come to your blog since long time, it's so beautiful.
    It's the first time I write and my english is not good....
    but I wanted to say you are a brilliant needlewoman

    Valérie
    http://petitecouture.canalblog.com/

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  26. Anonymous11/01/2012

    So cool! You guys look great!

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  27. Haha, thanks, everyone! Some high praise! It was so fun to create our costumes!

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  28. WOW! LOVE that chick from Avengers. She totally kicks. You did awesome! And your hubs looks awesome too. Love your 1 year pics. Gorgeous couple. Keep the love alive and the projects coming!

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  29. Your costume is great! I made a dirndl this year and it took so long! I also have to make up excuses to wear it other times. I guess I need to save it for Octoberfests next year.

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  30. That's so awesome! I stumble upon your blog and I am amazed! The "arc reactor" it's the best! :)

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