Maybe dressing up as this lucky bug will mean more candy.

Despite our best intentions – and the constant reminders from little ones who are looking forward to a big candy haul – sometimes Halloween can sneak up and surprise us. But don't let a looming deadline scare you: These fast, affordable and easy costumes are a real treat! Start with a T-shirt to fit your child (or yourself), add a few craft store standards, accessorize as much or as little as you like, and you're good to go.

Take a look at a larger image of the finished ladybug costume.

You need:
• Red T-shirt
• 3 sheets (23 x 30 cm/9 x 12 inches each) black self-adhesive felt
• Pencil and compass or jar lids in various sizes
• Scissors
• Ruler
• 1 sheet red bristol board
• Hole punch or awl
• 1.8 m (2 yards) 1/4-inch-wide black elastic
• Large 2-hole black button

To make:
1. Place T-shirt right side up on work surface.

2. Using pencil and compass, draw circles of various sizes onto paper backing of felt sheets. With scissors, cut out; reserve one-third of the circles to decorate wings. Without removing paper backing, place felt circles on T-shirt until satisfied with layout. Peel off paper backing and adhere circles to front of T-shirt.

3. Cut two large semicircles from bristol board for wings; decorate with remaining black felt circles.

4. Punch hole at top and bottom corners of semicircles. Thread elastic through button, then through holes at top of wings. Adjusting length of elastic to fit child, tie one end of elastic through hole on bottom of one wing; repeat for second wing. Trim excess elastic.

Designer's notes:
Add black pants to complete the outfit. Create antennae by wrapping black pipe cleaners around a black hair band; to make "eyes," glue two small black bristol board circles to ends of antennae.

This story was originally titled "Quick & Easy Costumes" in the October 2010 issue. Subscribe to Canadian Living today and never miss an issue!