DIY Sally Costume: A Step-by-Step Guide to Spooktacular Success

Are you ready to embody the patchwork queen of Halloween Town? Sally, the ragdoll sweetheart from *The Nightmare Before Christmas*, is a perennial favorite costume choice, and for good reason. Her unique look, a vibrant collage of stitched-together fabrics, is instantly recognizable and allows for plenty of creative interpretation. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of creating your own stunning Sally costume, from gathering materials to perfecting your signature makeup. Get ready to unleash your inner artist and craft a costume that’s both spooky and stylish!

## Why DIY Your Sally Costume?

While you can certainly purchase a pre-made Sally costume, crafting your own offers several advantages:

* **Uniqueness:** A DIY costume ensures that your Sally will stand out from the crowd. You can tailor the fabrics, colors, and details to your personal preferences, creating a one-of-a-kind look.
* **Cost-Effectiveness:** Depending on the materials you choose (especially if you repurpose existing fabrics), making your own costume can be significantly cheaper than buying a store-bought one.
* **Creativity and Satisfaction:** The process of creating your own costume is incredibly rewarding. You’ll develop new skills, express your creativity, and feel a sense of accomplishment when you step out in your handmade masterpiece.
* **Perfect Fit:** A handmade costume allows you to customize the size and fit to your body, ensuring a comfortable and flattering look.

## Gathering Your Materials

Before you begin, gather all the necessary materials. This will streamline the process and prevent frustrating interruptions later on.

### For the Dress:

* **Fabric Scraps:** This is the heart of the Sally costume. Collect a variety of colorful fabric scraps in different patterns, textures, and sizes. Think cotton, linen, velvet, corduroy, and even old t-shirts. The more diverse your collection, the more authentic and visually interesting your dress will be. Consider colors like purple, blue, green, red, orange, and yellow. Don’t be afraid to use slightly faded or distressed fabrics for a more realistic ragdoll effect.
* **Base Dress or Pattern:** You’ll need a basic dress pattern or an existing dress to use as a template. A simple A-line or shift dress works well. If you’re using a pattern, choose one that is relatively straightforward and easy to modify. You can also adapt an existing dress by cutting it apart and using the pieces as your pattern. Consider the final length you’d like your dress to be; Sally’s dress typically falls around knee length or slightly longer.
* **Muslin or Scrap Fabric (for Pattern Mock-up):** Before cutting into your precious fabric scraps, create a mock-up of your dress using muslin or inexpensive scrap fabric. This allows you to test the fit and make any necessary adjustments to the pattern. This is especially important if you’re altering an existing dress pattern.
* **Thread:** Choose a variety of thread colors that complement your fabric scraps. Using contrasting thread colors for the stitching will enhance the patchwork effect. Black, white, and dark brown are good staples to have on hand.
* **Sewing Machine (optional):** While you can hand-sew your Sally dress, a sewing machine will significantly speed up the process. If you’re new to sewing, consider taking a basic sewing machine class or watching online tutorials.
* **Scissors:** Fabric scissors are essential for clean and precise cuts.
* **Pins:** Straight pins are used to hold fabric pieces together before sewing.
* **Measuring Tape:** A measuring tape is necessary for taking accurate body measurements and transferring them to the pattern.
* **Seam Ripper:** A seam ripper is a handy tool for removing unwanted stitches.
* **Iron and Ironing Board:** Ironing your fabric scraps before cutting and sewing will help to create a smoother and more professional finish.
* **Fusible Interfacing (optional):** If you’re using thin or delicate fabrics, fusible interfacing can be used to add stability and prevent fraying.
* **Embroidery Floss or Yarn (optional):** Use embroidery floss or yarn to add decorative stitching or embellishments to your dress.

### For the Makeup:

* **White Face Paint:** This is the base for Sally’s signature pale complexion. Choose a high-quality face paint that is non-toxic and safe for your skin. Ben Nye and Mehron are reputable brands.
* **Blue Eyeshadow:** Use a light blue eyeshadow to create a sunken, slightly ghostly look around your eyes.
* **Black Eyeliner:** Black eyeliner is used to define your eyes and create a dramatic, slightly exaggerated look. Liquid eyeliner or gel eyeliner is recommended for a precise line.
* **Red Lipstick:** Choose a bright red lipstick for Sally’s iconic stitched smile. A matte finish will give a more authentic look.
* **Black Eyeshadow or Eyeliner (for Stitching):** Use black eyeshadow or eyeliner to draw the stitches on your face and neck. A fine-tipped eyeliner brush will help you create precise lines.
* **Setting Powder:** Setting powder is used to set your face paint and prevent it from smudging or creasing. Choose a translucent setting powder that won’t alter the color of your face paint.
* **Makeup Brushes:** A variety of makeup brushes will be needed for applying your makeup, including a foundation brush, eyeshadow brushes, eyeliner brush, and powder brush.
* **Makeup Remover:** Always have makeup remover on hand to remove your makeup at the end of the day.
* **Cotton Swabs:** Cotton swabs are useful for cleaning up mistakes and blending your makeup.

### For the Wig (optional):

* **Red Wig:** Sally’s hair is a vibrant shade of red. You can purchase a pre-styled Sally wig or style a long red wig yourself. Look for a wig made of synthetic fibers that can be styled with heat.
* **Wig Cap:** A wig cap helps to keep your hair in place and create a smooth surface for the wig.
* **Hair Spray:** Hair spray is used to hold your wig in place and maintain its style.
* **Wig Stand (optional):** A wig stand is useful for storing and styling your wig.

### For the Accessories (optional):

* **Black Stockings or Tights:** Black stockings or tights will complete your Sally look.
* **Black Boots or Shoes:** Choose a pair of comfortable black boots or shoes to wear with your costume.
* **Stuffed Animal (optional):** Carry a small stuffed animal, such as a black cat or a ghost, to add a touch of whimsy to your costume.
* **Needle and Thread (for repairs):** Have a needle and thread handy for any quick repairs that may be needed throughout the day.

## Creating Your Sally Dress: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you’ve gathered your materials, it’s time to start creating your Sally dress. Follow these steps carefully for a spooktacular result.

**Step 1: Prepare Your Pattern**

* **Choose Your Pattern:** Select a dress pattern that is simple and easy to modify. An A-line or shift dress pattern is a good choice. If you’re using an existing dress, carefully cut it apart along the seams to create your pattern pieces.
* **Take Your Measurements:** Use a measuring tape to take accurate body measurements, including your bust, waist, hips, and desired dress length. Compare your measurements to the pattern size chart and choose the size that is closest to your measurements. If you’re between sizes, it’s always best to choose the larger size, as you can always take it in later.
* **Create a Mock-Up:** Using muslin or inexpensive scrap fabric, cut out the pattern pieces and sew them together to create a mock-up of your dress. This will allow you to test the fit and make any necessary adjustments to the pattern. Pay close attention to the fit around the bust, waist, and hips. Make sure the dress is comfortable to move in and that the length is appropriate.
* **Adjust the Pattern (if needed):** If the mock-up doesn’t fit perfectly, make the necessary adjustments to the pattern. You can use a pencil or marker to draw new seam lines on the pattern pieces. Remember to add seam allowances (typically 1/2 inch) to all the edges of the pattern pieces.

**Step 2: Cut Your Fabric Scraps**

* **Iron Your Fabric Scraps:** Iron all your fabric scraps to remove any wrinkles or creases. This will make it easier to cut and sew them together.
* **Cut into Patchwork Pieces:** Cut your fabric scraps into a variety of shapes and sizes. Squares, rectangles, triangles, and irregular shapes are all good choices. Don’t worry about making the pieces perfectly uniform; the more variety, the better. Aim for pieces that are between 2 and 6 inches in size. It’s better to have too many pieces than not enough.
* **Consider Fabric Placement:** Before you start sewing, lay out your fabric scraps on a flat surface and experiment with different arrangements. Consider the colors, patterns, and textures of the fabrics and try to create a visually appealing patchwork design. Take a picture of your favorite arrangement so you can refer to it later.

**Step 3: Assemble the Patchwork Panels**

* **Sew the Scraps Together:** Using a sewing machine or by hand, sew the fabric scraps together to create larger panels. You can sew the scraps together randomly or follow your pre-planned arrangement. Use a straight stitch and a seam allowance of 1/4 inch. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam to secure the stitches.
* **Press the Seams:** After sewing each seam, press it open with an iron. This will help to reduce bulk and create a smoother surface. Use a pressing cloth to protect delicate fabrics from scorching.
* **Create Panels Large Enough for Pattern Pieces:** Continue sewing scraps together until you have created fabric panels that are large enough to accommodate your pattern pieces. You’ll need to create separate panels for the front, back, sleeves (if applicable), and any other pattern pieces.

**Step 4: Cut Out the Dress Pieces**

* **Lay Out the Pattern Pieces:** Lay your pattern pieces on top of the patchwork panels, making sure to align the grainline of the pattern with the direction of the patchwork. Pin the pattern pieces to the fabric panels securely.
* **Cut Out the Dress Pieces:** Using fabric scissors, carefully cut out the dress pieces along the pattern lines. Be sure to cut accurately and smoothly. Transfer any markings from the pattern to the fabric, such as darts, pleats, or buttonhole placements.

**Step 5: Sew the Dress Together**

* **Follow Pattern Instructions:** Follow the instructions in your dress pattern to sew the dress pieces together. Typically, this will involve sewing the shoulder seams, side seams, and any darts or pleats. Use a straight stitch and a seam allowance of 1/2 inch. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam.
* **Try On the Dress:** After sewing the main seams, try on the dress to check the fit. Make any necessary adjustments to the seams. You may need to take in the side seams or adjust the length of the dress.
* **Finish the Seams:** Finish the raw edges of the seams to prevent fraying. You can use a serger, a zigzag stitch, or bias tape to finish the seams.
* **Add Sleeves (if applicable):** If your dress pattern includes sleeves, sew them to the armholes of the dress. Follow the pattern instructions carefully.
* **Hem the Dress:** Hem the bottom edge of the dress to your desired length. You can use a sewing machine or hand-sew the hem. A narrow hem is a good choice for a Sally dress.

**Step 6: Add Details and Embellishments**

* **Decorative Stitching:** Use embroidery floss or yarn to add decorative stitching to your dress. You can use a variety of stitches, such as running stitch, backstitch, or blanket stitch. Add stitches around the edges of the fabric scraps or create decorative patterns on the dress.
* **Appliqués (optional):** Add appliqués to your dress for a more personalized touch. You can create appliqués from fabric scraps, felt, or other materials. Cut out shapes like hearts, stars, or bats and sew them onto the dress.
* **Buttons (optional):** Add decorative buttons to your dress for a more whimsical look. Use buttons in different sizes, shapes, and colors. Sew the buttons onto the dress by hand.
* **Ribbons or Lace (optional):** Add ribbons or lace to your dress for a touch of elegance. Sew ribbons or lace along the neckline, hemline, or sleeves of the dress.

## Perfecting Your Sally Makeup

Sally’s makeup is just as important as her dress. Here’s how to achieve her signature look:

**Step 1: Prepare Your Face**

* **Cleanse Your Skin:** Start with a clean and moisturized face. Use a gentle cleanser to remove any dirt, oil, or makeup. Apply a moisturizer to hydrate your skin.
* **Apply Primer:** Apply a makeup primer to create a smooth base for your makeup. Primer will help your makeup last longer and prevent it from creasing.

**Step 2: Create the Pale Complexion**

* **Apply White Face Paint:** Using a makeup sponge or brush, apply a thin layer of white face paint to your entire face and neck. Be sure to blend the face paint evenly and avoid any streaks or patches.
* **Set the Face Paint:** Use a translucent setting powder to set the face paint and prevent it from smudging or creasing. Apply the powder with a large powder brush.

**Step 3: Define Your Eyes**

* **Apply Blue Eyeshadow:** Apply a light blue eyeshadow to your eyelids, blending it up to your crease. Use a darker shade of blue in the outer corner of your eye to create depth. Blend the eyeshadow well to create a seamless transition.
* **Apply Black Eyeliner:** Use black liquid eyeliner or gel eyeliner to line your upper lash line. Create a thin line that extends slightly beyond the outer corner of your eye. You can also line your lower lash line with black eyeliner, but be sure to smudge it slightly for a softer look.
* **Apply Mascara:** Apply black mascara to your upper and lower lashes to add volume and length.

**Step 4: Create the Stitched Smile**

* **Apply Red Lipstick:** Apply a bright red lipstick to your lips. Use a lip brush to create a precise and even application.
* **Draw the Stitches:** Using black eyeshadow or eyeliner and a fine-tipped eyeliner brush, draw a line extending from each corner of your mouth outwards. Draw short vertical lines along these lines to create the appearance of stitches. You can also add stitches to your cheeks and forehead for a more dramatic look.

**Step 5: Add Stitches to Your Neck and Body (optional)**

* **Extend the Stitches:** Extend the stitched lines from your face down your neck and onto your chest and arms. Use the same technique as you used for your face.

**Step 6: Set Your Makeup**

* **Apply Setting Spray:** Apply a setting spray to your entire face to help your makeup last all day or night. This will also help to blend all the layers of makeup together for a more natural look.

## Styling Your Sally Wig (optional)

If you’re using a wig, here’s how to style it for a perfect Sally look:

**Step 1: Prepare the Wig**

* **Brush the Wig:** Use a wig brush or a wide-tooth comb to gently brush the wig and remove any tangles or knots. Start at the bottom of the wig and work your way up to the top.
* **Style the Wig:** Use hair spray or styling gel to style the wig into Sally’s signature look. You can create a side part or leave the wig with a natural part. Use a curling iron or hair straightener to add waves or curls to the wig, if desired. Remember to use a low heat setting to avoid damaging the synthetic fibers.

**Step 2: Secure the Wig**

* **Put on a Wig Cap:** Put on a wig cap to keep your hair in place and create a smooth surface for the wig.
* **Place the Wig:** Carefully place the wig on your head, making sure it is positioned correctly. Adjust the wig until it feels comfortable and secure.
* **Secure the Wig with Pins:** Use bobby pins to secure the wig to your hair. Place the pins around the perimeter of the wig, making sure they are hidden from view.

## Final Touches and Tips

* **Practice Your Makeup:** Practice your makeup look several times before the big event. This will allow you to perfect your technique and ensure that you’re happy with the results.
* **Wear Comfortable Shoes:** You’ll be doing a lot of walking and standing in your costume, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes.
* **Bring a Repair Kit:** Pack a small repair kit with essential items like needle and thread, safety pins, and makeup remover. This will help you handle any wardrobe malfunctions or makeup mishaps.
* **Have Fun!** The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy your time as Sally. Embrace your creativity and let your personality shine.

## Variations and Customizations

* **Weathered Look:** To add a more weathered and authentic ragdoll feel, gently distress the edges of your fabric scraps with sandpaper or a seam ripper.
* **Visible Stitching:** Use a contrasting thread color (like black or dark brown) to create prominent, visible stitching on your dress. This will enhance the patchwork effect.
* **Embellishments:** Add embellishments like buttons, patches, or even small, lightweight toys to your dress for a more personalized and whimsical touch.
* **Modify the Makeup:** Experiment with different colors and techniques for your makeup. You could add more dramatic shading around your eyes or use a different color for your lipstick.

## Conclusion

Creating your own Sally costume from *The Nightmare Before Christmas* is a fun and rewarding project that allows you to express your creativity and stand out from the crowd. By following these step-by-step instructions and using your imagination, you can create a stunning costume that captures the essence of this beloved character. So gather your materials, unleash your inner artist, and get ready to become the patchwork queen of Halloween Town!