I remember Halloween as a kid and how much fun it was to put together a costume. It’s even more fun today because there’s so much inspiration and sharing that goes on using the Internet. Because Halloween is the only time the number 13 is lucky, I scoured the Internet and found 13 fun choices for costumes with free patterns. Most go together quickly and are easy to make so don’t wait until the last minute to prepare for trick or treating! Click on the title for each one and you’ll go straight to the costume directions!
A cape is a great place to start when creating a costume. You can be a Superhero, Red Riding Hood, Harry Potter, a Monk, and even Audrey Hepburn. Numbers 1-3 are all capes and are all three are easy to make.
#1-Superhero Capes
Who doesn’t want to be a Superhero? Found at vanillajoy.com, you can download both the cape pattern and the superhero logo patterns for free.
#2-Red Riding Hood Cape
Found at fleecefun.com and made of fleece (of course), this is a quick project to sew. There’s a video that leads you step by step through the sewing process plus other free cape patterns with interchangeable hood styles.
#3-Audrey Hepburn Cape
Give your little girl some glamour with the Audrey Hepburn Cape. This tutorial at simplesimonandco.com shows you how to make a cape that will make your little girl feel like a movie star.
#4-Tutu
Great for Ballerinas and Princesses, these tutu instructions are simple and clear in a YouTube video. Blogger Emily Thompson from lifesewsavory.com walks you step by step through cutting and serging steps but this can also be sewn on a sewing machine.
#5-Fancy Witch’s Hat
Be the best-dressed witch at the party! From fleecefun.com, here’s a free pattern for a fancy witch’s hat. Instructions in two sizes to fit children and adults.
#6-Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head
It’s easy to make a Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head costume for Halloween using the directions from andreasnotebook.com. This costume can be adapted for children or adults.
#7-Pirate
Free vest pattern when you subscribe and the tutorial covers what is needed for the rest of the costume. From Damjana at applegreencottage.com.
#8-Ariel
From Melissa at polkadotchair.com, this cute costume is Ariel on Land in a Dress (no mermaid fins). Directions start with a satin circle skirt and includes a link to the red-hair wig. Great idea for older girls.
#9-Puppy
This toddler puppy costume is adorable! It is a free PDF pattern from sewalittleseam.com and includes pieces that turn it into a monkey – two costume patterns in one.
#10-Sea Turtle
Another toddler costume, this time a sea turtle that is also very cute! Cathi from scratchandstitch.com has a second tutorial for converting the costume into a plush stuffed animal after baby outgrows it.
#11-Witch
From bhg.com, this stylish witch’s dress is simple to sew and the tutorial includes directions for the hat and broom to complete the look. 
#12-Bo Peep
Go to heatherhandmade.com and you’ll find this cute and easy outfit that can be made for children or women – makes a great Halloween costume!
#13-Costume Sewing Tips
OK, so #13 is not actually a costume but Melissa from polkadotchair.com shares some great info about making Halloween costumes. And, if you look around her site, you’ll find a LOT of Halloween ideas so go take a look.
As editor of "The Big Book of Feet: A Guide to BERNINA Presser Feet and Accessories," Susan created Sewfeet to provide Educational Courses, Content, and Resources to help you with all your sewing projects.