By Joy Kraft
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Costume shortcuts

Look for no-sew shortcuts - water-soluble basting thread; iron-on adhesive web for hemming and bonding; iron-on interfacing to stiffen fabric; a glue gun to add beads, fabric glue, sequins and trims; and fabric paint and markers to add spots, stripes and designs.

Look for things in your closet or cast-away pile that can be recycled as the basis of a costume - sweat shirts, sweat suits, leotards, pajamas, old socks, hats, gloves.

Need wings? Try foam sheets from a craft or sewing store cut and decorated with sparkles, rhinestones, glitter. Or use starched gauze and florit wire to make a halo and wings.

Kid-size swords can be made from paint stirring sticks covered with tin foil.

Use knit caps as basis for costume - a brown hat with floppy black fleece or fake fur ears can the basis for a dog costume. A white cap with wired white fleece or fake fur ears can be a bunny. Take the same approach for a lamb, bear, pig, etc.

An adult or oversized shirt or sweat shirt is a good building block for a kid's costume. That knit cap with ears can be paired with a brown or black sweat shirt when you glue on fleece dog spots and a tail over brown or black tights. An old white dress shirt can be turned into an artist's smock when you add a beret, some paint splashes and a cardboard pallet and paint brush.

Cardboard boxes can be turned into everything from robots to race cars (see www.thefamilycorner.com's cardboard box idea starters).

Old skirts can be capes for kids.

Cut up old shirts to create sashes, head bands.

Chiffon from an old evening dress can be the basis for a fairy, ballerina or harem girl costume.

Use staples when making an

adult's costume that has to last one night. Cover staples with masking tape and sit verrry carefully.

Make a beard or 5 o'clock shadow with the tip of a burned cork or sponge on dark eye shadow.

Add feathers, lace, ribbons, buttons and glitter to create your own signature to a costume.

Other household items that can be turned into costume parts include bike helmets, mittens, gloves, hard hats, funnels, colanders, buttons, old costume jewelry, fabric or trim scraps.

Safety tips

Add reflective tape to edges of costume, candy bags, even feet of trick-or-treaters. Many stores sell battery-powered lights that can be fastened to costumes or bags.

Equip kids with flashlight attachments or reflectors on their costumes.

Make sure trick-or-treaters have "buddies," or volunteer to tag along as the curb guard.

Allow fullness when making a costume in case a coat or sweat shirt is needed underneath.

Make sure hems end 2 inches above the ground so kids don't trip.

Read instructions on makeup and hair sprays for removal tips BEFORE applying.

Before Halloween, test kids' sensitivity to makeup, etc., on inside of their forearm.

Use face cream under makeup for easy removal.

Avoid full face masks on kids. Use makeup, hats, noses instead. If using an eye mask, cut the eyeholes bigger and make sure the mask is fastened securely.

Look for flame-retardant fabric or costumes.

Costume Web sites

The one book that kept popping up in research was Illegally Easy Halloween Costumes for Kids (Tikka Books; $19.95) by Leila Peltosaari of Canada, with 100 alternatives to store-bought costumes, no-sew shortcuts and last-minute solutions. (A portion of book sale proceeds go to UNICEF.)

www.party.lifetips.com

www.thefamilycorner.com

www.canoe.ca/Halloween/dressingup.html

www.costumeideazone.com

www.bhg.com and go to "holidays"

www.dltk-holidays.com

www.allhallowseve.com

familyfun.go.com/crafts

www.easyhalloween.com

www.allcrafts.net

DIY makeup tips

Apply makeup after dressing.

Pin hair away from face.

Give yourself plenty of time.

Keep makeup away from kids' eyes if possible. They are sure to rub them.

Make scars and sores by combining pink and green face tissue with corn syrup.

Basic face makeup recipe

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon water

1/2 teaspoon cold cream

Food coloring

Stir cornstarch and cold cream, mixing well. Add water, stir, then add food coloring. Apply with fingertips or paintbrush. Removes with soap and water.

Bruise recipe

Deep blue eye shadow powder

Charcoal gray eye shadow powder

Green eye shadow

Makeup brush

Use a blot of blue and apply with wet brush. Then use fingertips to add blots of charcoal gray and blue shadows. Finish by touching edges with green and smudge to complete.

Kitchen blood recipe

1/2 bottle light corn syrup

Very hot water

Squirt of liquid soap

Red food coloring

Blue or green food color (optional)

Pour syrup in bowl. Add hot water sparingly and stir until you get the consistency you want. Add a squirt of liquid soap to make it easy to clean off later. Tint with red and add drop blue or green to make it darker. Refrigerate and smear as needed.