Halloween 2025
Halloween is, for multiple reasons, my favourite holiday.
We had a party again this year. Not in the Castle this time, just in our house, with a couple of neighbourhood friends and their kids. Much fun was had, much food was eaten, drinks were enjoyed, people were dressed up to various degrees, even Twochild (s’).
Everyone had a good party. Everyone except Onechild (s), who did not join in the festivities.
A school friend was visiting their grandmother in Milan, Italy, over that weekend. They weren’t very confident about flying alone, though, so their parents suggested asking a friend. They asked s, who was delighted to go along; by all accounts, an excellent time was had.
Twochild wanted to be a plague doctor. They’d done this before, and the mask still fit, but they wanted a new black cloak. That’s an easy thing to sew, and given the circumstances, precision largely optional. So one freehanded hem later, they were all set (but for next time, they also want a hat. And a cane.)
For myself, I had decided that I’d be going as Doctor Strange. All I needed was to grow a goatee.
Well, and make a tunic. And a cloak. And the Eye of Agamotto.
The latter (and the “brooch” cloak tips) were graciously 3-D printed by Ed, who happened to have sparkly gold filament, saving finish and painting. So that only needed lighting, which two green LEDs provide very well, with some crepe paper as a diffuser. Unfortunately, I managed to break the mechanism that allows the eye to open and close :( – on the plus side, I didn’t need to worry about some switch for the light, I just left it permanently connected and on.
The tunic is just denim; based on a coat pattern, I eyeballed a length and front cut adjustment for the basic one, and embellished the front by sewing on two strips in a different shade with some plaits stitched in. The cloak… well, I was moderately short on time, so that was improvised end to end. The fabric is upholstery-weight red… something, that was available at very reduced price. The coat pattern was a guide for the shoulder darts, a hood pattern helped shape the collar. Instead of the weird pattern – is it patchwork? or just lines? what’s going on there? – I added some layering by attaching a kind of second collar over the shoulders. It gives an effect, and the extra weight there helps a bit stopping the main cape dragging everything back. Of course, in finest cosplay tradition, some safety pins assisted with that, too. The brooch corners attach with Velcro (one side glued to the 3-D printed piece, the other sewn to the cloak edge).
Next year, this needs a belt and a long-sleeved t-shirt, and a sling ring. And a new Eye, that opens and closes. Also a new cloak, with different main and lining, and better edges. And more embellishments.
As Twochild said it, this year I was trying to be Doctor Strange, and managed to be Mister Slightly Odd. So, potential!
