When I was a little girl Halloween was all about the candy, the costume was just a means to an end. 50% of the time I ended up being a hobo, it was quick, easy, cheap and we usually had all the items on hand. The only make-up I used was some eyebrow pencil to make a stubbly beard. After that I was out the door and on my way to candy heaven.
With five kids, we have gone through a lot of costumes over the years and not one was a hobo costume. I’ve learned a few tricks to help keep the cost of costumes from getting out of control. We have re-used costumes, borrowed some and bought them on sale.
I’m a big thrift store shopper, truth be told I’m a thrift store junkie. I’ve found some great Halloween costumes, decorations and props at my favorite thrift stores. When I found this pin for a witch costume from a wedding dress at Kara’s Party Ideas I started haunting my favorite thrift stores for the “perfect” wedding dress.
We have a thrift store chain called Snowline Hospice thrift stores where I live. Most of the food props you see in my posts have come from one of their stores. On the first Saturday of each month every Snowline Thrift Store in the area has the entire store half priced….EVERYTHING! Yes, this stunning dress came from a Snowline Hospice thrift store! It was originally priced at $75, I picked it up on the first Saturday of the month so it was only $37.50! Thrifter heaven!
Keep in mind when choosing a dress if it is polyester or nylon you will need to use iDye Poly from Jo Ann’s to get a good dark black color. iDye Poly is created specifically for dying nylon and polyester. If you use dye (Rit Dye Powder) that is meant for 100% natural fabrics on polyester or nylon you will end up with a purple dress. This is not because Rit Dye is faulty in any way, I simply used it on the wrong material.
Here is what my dress looked like when I dyed it the first time. I made a quick trip to Jo Ann’s and purchased the right dye, iDye Poly. By following the instructions on the package, I ended up with exactly what I wanted, a beautiful black dress.
The instructions for the iDye Poly require you to use a stainless steel or enamel pot with just enough water for the fabric to move freely. You then add the iDye Poly soluble dye packet and Color Intensifier to the water and stir until dissolved.
Next add your garment, swirl and boil for 1/2 to 1 hour, since I do not own a pot large enough for a wedding dress I used our large cooler instead. I followed the instructions above, placed the dress in the cooler and stirred it for about 5 minutes, closed the lid and then went back and stirred it for even coloring every 10 to 15 minutes. After 1 hour I place the dress in the washing machine on the delicate cycle.
I LOVE the results, the cotton lace grabbed more of they dye causing it to be a darker black. This wicked witch costume cost about $50 to make, a bargain in my opinion. If you want to be the coolest witch around this Halloween, purchase a wedding dress and dye it black because……
This Pin Rocks!
This post has been shared with: Tatertots and Jello, Living Well Spending Less, and Whipperberry
Oh wow!!! Dying it black made it a gorgeous witch dress! Clever!
Navy Wifey Peters @ Submarine Sunday Link Party!
Hi T’onna!
I love how the dress turned out and it was pretty easy to do. I’ll make sure to link up to your party! Tracy
Oooo. I’ve been brain storming on how to make a Glinda the Good Witch costume on the cheap and easy. This would work great, just with pink dye!
That would be darling in pink! If you do it, we’d love to see it! Deb
What an elegant witch costume! Love the beautiful color! I would wear that! Pinned it!
Hi Jeanette!
Thank you! It would be so much fun to show up to a Halloween party in this dress! Thanks for pinning it and leaving your comment, Tracy
amazing! i love it as the witch costume!
b
This was so fun to do! What a difference, right?
What color enhancer did u use. I could find any at joanns
Hey Heather,
I used black iDyePoly, the enhancer is included in the black iDyePoly packet. You do not need to purchase it separately. We would love to hear how your witch costume turns out! Best, Tracy
Where did you get your hat? I’ve been looking for one that isn’t so flimsy and yours looks great.
Hey Ellen,
I found it on Amazon, search for Leg Avenue Women’s Large Ruched Witch Hat. It was $19.99 and worth every penny as it turned out to be exactly what I was looking for! Happy Halloween, Tracy
I’ve been looking for a dress to dye like this for 3 years. Last year I found a great formal David’s Bridal black dress at the thrift store, but what you have here is everything I have wanted. It looks like it was made for you too. Good job!
Hi Lisa,
Thanks! I wish I could say I’m the beautiful fit gal in the witch dress. Alas, it is a dear friend who was willing to model it for me. I would love to be that small again! Thanks for following us, Tracy
Beautiful! How did you heat the cooler, though? I assume the plastic would’ve melted.
Hi Emily,
I boiled the water, then poured it in the cooler. Added the dye, mixed it thoroughly and then added the dress. Closing the lid of the cooler held in the heat from the boiled water. I love how the dress turned out! Have a great day, Tracy