EVERYONE IS GETTING into a tizzy this time of year, worrying about what to be for Halloween and where to get the right costume.

But never fear! Halloween costumes usually look best and are the most fun when you make them yourself.

If you're feeling overwhelmed because you have no idea what to be and need inspiration, or you want to endeavor to make your own costume, look no further: I'm here to show you the way.

Finding Inspiration

The best way to begin is by looking for costume ideas. I always think it works better if you're not looking for a pattern, but just the idea. You can make the pattern fit what you need.

If you've already decided on your costume, great! You may proceed to the next section.

Personally, my favorite place for inspiration has always been BuyCostumes.com. You'll find tons of ideas there. Although some of them are pretty trashy, and some of them just plain weird, you can usually get a vague handle on what you're looking for.

For more mainstream fun, the other day I was looking around AmericanApparel.net, and I saw their latest section on DIY Halloween costumes. They have some really cute ideas, although most are just funny to look at, and I wouldn't ever wear them in real life (like "Nudist Colony").

It's definitely worth looking at kids' costume ideas, too. A lot of the best outfits are traditional kid's costumes, like "fairy princess" and "vampire."

DO IT!

You can get great patterns cheap at JoAnn Fabrics on Neil Street. There are also tons of other fabric stores around town, which all should carry patterns.

Some good pattern brands include Simplicity and McCall's.

On the back of patterns, it will tell you what fabric you need to buy and how much.

Usually there's some leeway in fabric choices, obviously with color but also with type. Talk to the people who work at the store! They're used to all kinds of random questions, and they will know exactly what substitutions will work and which won't.

MAKE IT YOUR OWN

So you want to be a goth fairy princess ghost. Stellar! I'll bet you 10 bucks you'll be the only one.

But … it seems you're just so original, no one has made a pattern of the costume you want.

Don't worry, it's oh-so-simple to tweak a few things on a mainstream costume to make it your own.

For example:

• One fairy costume, made in black fabric
• One pair of black glittery wings
• One pair of ripped black fishnets
• One tiara
• One container white face paint

Combine, and stir. Ta-da! Your very own goth fairy princess ghost costume!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Well, I think you're ready to set out into the world of costume creation. I wish you the best of luck, and can't wait to see what you come up with!