Green Daily

We're quickly approaching Halloween, and I've thus begun the battle with my three-year-old, trying to convince her that she doesn't have to be Cinderella, or Sleeping Beauty, or some other fairy princess Disney thing in order to have a good time. She's skeptical, but we were finally able to settle on a butterfly -- a costume her mom can make.

As it turns out, this is more beneficial than I thought. Misgivings about cartoon princesses aside, it turns out the vinyl used in many costumes releases carcinogenic dioxin into the atmosphere when it's produced. Plus, imitation leather accessories also contain hormone disrupting chemicals that, at least in animal studies, have been linked to reproductive problems -- and even liver cancer.

If that creeps you out too, don't worry -- making costumes yourself is easier than it looks. For some helpful tips in getting started, check out this post on TheGreenGuide, and when you're ready to make something truly awesome, go look at the fantastic ideas (that often come with step-by-step instructions) in this post on DIY blog Make. Have fun!