At the end of October everyone I know seems to be rushing around to put together Halloween costumes.  But what happens to those carefully planned out costumes when Halloween is over? In our house they generally get stored away in a closet hoping that we can pass them on to a younger sibling or cousin the next year.  I’ve been doing some thinking and this year we’re doing something different with them.

This year we are going to create a dress-up chest. I have always thought that a dress up chest was the perfect addition to any kid’s playroom but my son has never shown much interest in dress up play.  Then he surprised me by tying his jacket sleeves around his neck and making a “superhero cape” out of it the other night.  I guess it is time to work on a dress-up chest of our own!

After all the partying and trick-or-treating is done on the 31st, I plan to put all of the costume pieces in a large chest or plastic tote along with a few things around the house and possibly a few cheap Halloween clearance items.  But to make it more fun (for me!) I want to make a few things myself.

I found this great reversible superhero cape tutorial over at Puking Pastilles.  I think I might make both the girl and boy version to head off any future fights.  I’ve searched for a mask pattern to go along with the capes but haven’t found one yet.  I may just have to wing it unless anyone has any pattern suggestions.

I’ve wanted to make one of these adorable Felt Crowns ever since I first saw the tutorial at Kerflop, but never had a reason to…until now!  I’ll definitely be putting a couple of these in the box.  I may even make a special one for a certain little girl’s first birthday next March.

It will be a while before my daughter is ready to play in the dress up clothes, but the thought of her running around in one of these no-sew tutus makes me all gushy inside.  I think that is a must-have item for the stash.

What other items hand made items should I add to the dress up chest?   Do you have a dress-up chest at your house?  What do you keep in it?  Are they most mostly hand made, found, or purchased items?  Let me know in the comments or over at the Blissfully Domestic Forums!

When Dee isn’t at the office, reading blogs, or chasing kids, she loves to spend a little time Getting Crafty. She also blogs about life at Voices In My Mind and posts her favorite recipes at Recipe Corner.