Hey Frankie!

Last year for Halloween, Owen changed what he wanted to be for Halloween about a million and one times. This year, he's been sure from the beginning and hasn't budged. He wants to be...

Frankenstein.

The great thing is he doesn't really have specific preconceived notions on what Frankenstein should look like, so whatever I come up with, he loves. :)

I saw this hat from the Children's Place and thought it would be perfect to make for Owen. His school doesn't allow any make-up or masks. Without the make-up I was afraid everyone would think Owen just look liked a hobo or something, so I had to come up with something else.

The hat is perfect for keeping him warm, and they should know exactly who he's supposed to be...

Don't you think? :)

I just made this up as I went, so it's far from perfect, but here's what I did.

I made up several paper patterns for the circumference of the hat. I tried them on Owen and tweaked them until I liked how it looked. The hat is about 1/2 an inch longer than the circumference of his head.

I cut the pattern out whole so I could try it on Owen's face/head, but folded it in half and cut it on the fold to keep things even. This only takes less than 1/4 yard of fleece. Very cheap! I bought 1/3 yard and it was too much.

Then I added some hair.

I didn't get it quite right the first time, so I added some more pieces here and there. I ended up liking how the layers added dimension as well.

I pinned the smaller pieces on and sewed them down.

Then I zig-zag stitched the top hair piece to the circumference of the hat. I really should have lengthened my stitch or fixed my tension because I got some puckering, but...it's for a costume. So moving on! :)

Using the circumference measurement, I calculated the hat top using this equation:

circumference = diameter x 3.14 {pi}

Once I knew the {approx. - doesn't have to be super exact} diameter I was able to come up with the correct circle size for the hat top. 

Then I sewed the ends of the hat circumference piece together. 

Pinned on the hat top.

Sewed all the way around and snipped a few slits just before the seam so it wouldn't pucker too much when I turned it right side out.

Phew...almost done.

I added a chin strap with a button and hemmed the raw edges under....which is totally optional.

Then I hand embroidered some scars and stitches on the hat. Paint would have done fine, but I just liked the idea of being able to rip the thread out if I didn't like how it turned out. 

Now it was time for bolts. I thought about hand stitching some bolts together because they would be too small to stitch by machine, and then stuffing them with poly fill, etc...for about 2 seconds. Just long enough to decide it was finally time for some hot glue. :)

 

I rolled up some light grey felt like so. 

Cut three circles out and glued them together.

Then assembled my bolts. 

So easy. :) And SO quick.

I had to cut the bolts way down so they wouldn't be too floppy, even smaller than you see here.

Then I glued them on. 

Done!

And we've got one happy Frankenstein.

UUUUGGGHHH.

His costume isn't completely done yet though. I've got some clothes I need to rip up and some other ideas. I'll just have to see if the stores carry the supplies I need. Sometimes that's my biggest barrier!

Hope you're having fun 

getting ready for Halloween!