Maybe so! Making/sewing Halloween costumes was much more common in the mid 60s' (the earliest Halloweens I can remember) than store brought things. Also there wasn't alot of money so expectations were not as high as they are today.

Maybe so! Making/sewing Halloween costumes was much more common in the mid 60s' (the earliest Halloweens I can remember) than store brought things. Also there wasn't alot of money so expectations were not as high as they are today.

Leila, Yes I agree with you that it was common to make your own. But they are semi- rich - Betty could have just gone to the Woolworth's for the Minnie Mouse and smoked and drank the day away(like Don). When did the "store-brought" trend take over with kids. I remember "home-made" could get you teased. Though I always liked the "home-jobs" better!!!!!!!!!!

Nobody got store-bought in those days. First of all, they were made of flammable fabric - cheap, cheap, cheap. Don was right. PLUS, Halloween was a chance for mothers to flaunt their homemaking skills by sewing adorable or elaborate costumes for their kids. The kids who had the cheap store-bought costumes were pitied.

I can remember my mom made my sister and I Indian costumes. They were made out of brown paper which she cut perfectly and colored. They were adorable. I did not appreciate enough. Wanted the store bought.

Laurie, I was one of the kids people pitied. My mother did not sew. Carla could have made the costumes, although we didn't see her anywhere in that episode.

I think Betty made the costumes. In the episode where she and Don go to visit her father and Gloria, I remember seeing, in the corner of Betty's old room, a sewing machine. I think she is probably quite adept at sewing and mending.

Also, wasn't there a sewing machine sitting on the table in episode 11? I want to say we see it sitting there when she confronts Don, but I could be mistaken.

There was indeed a sewing machine on the table when Betty confronted Don. There were pattern pieces pinned to fabric sitting there. I sure got the impression that Betty sewed the kids costumes.

I probably didn't start trick or treating until 1964 or 1965, but because my mom couldn't sew, I had the store bought costumes; I always thought the home made ones were much better. I always wished I had a home made costume rather than what I wore, but I am sure I forgot about it after I got all my candy! I remember the masks had very small slits for the eyes and you could barely see. Plus, it was hard to breathe wearing them.

I probably didn't start trick or treating until 1964 or 1965, but because my mom couldn't sew, I had the store bought costumes; I always thought the home made ones were much better. I always wished I had a home made costume rather than what I wore, but I am sure I forgot about it after I got all my candy! I remember the masks had very small slits for the eyes and you could barely see. Plus, it was hard to breathe wearing them.

Mothers made the costumes back then. Betty has a sewing machine in her own home.

@bullmonty: Carla did no such thing. They would have shown it.

Mothers made the costumes back then. Betty has a sewing machine in her own home.

@bullmonty: Carla did no such thing. They would have shown it.

@skg: I completely forgot about those awful plastic masks! Remember how hot they were? Remember your face sweating inside them? I remember tilting the mask up on top of my head between houses so I could breath and see. Those tiny eye-slits were blinding!

I wish I had a nickel for every costume I've sewn for my kids, and not just for Halloween. Gone are the days when a white bed sheet with two holes for eyes was good enough. Fabric costs a mint now, unless you shop the fabric-by-the pound places.
I too think that Betty made their costumes, especially since Don nixed the idea of cheapie store-bought.

I'm watching it now, The Inheritance, and there is a sewing machine in Betty's room.
My mom sewed everything I wore from the time I was born up until I was in the first grade.She didn't have to ,and she really didn't love sewing. But she was in her 20's and my dad was at work all day ,and she had the time to do it. My mother has also told me a few stories about her time in school when she had to take Home EC. It was required I think she told me. Home Economics were a big thing back then.

Back in the day, and this is the mid-sixties I'm talking about, all the girls had to take a year of Home Ec and all the boys had to take Shop - Industrial or Automotive.

Neither sex could choose the other course, which disappointed some guys who wanted to be in a class with only girls. (I heard taking French was about that way, though.) Maybe Sally will get her toolbelt by the time she goes to high school.

@bipolar bear--I definitely remember the masks being hot! I did the same thing with my mask going from house to house, then I would put it on to say "Trick or Treat" on someone's porch! I was really into getting the candy, and those masks were slowing me down! I was more excited about Halloween than Christmas back then, store bought costume or not.