You don't need to have excellent sewing skills to create adult Halloween costumes that will make you stand out from the crowd. As a matter of fact, you won't even need a needle or thread. All you really need is some creativity, a friend you can borrow something from, a closet full of clothes and easy access to a thrift shop.

This Halloween, don't be lazy and simply toss a sheet over your head claiming to be a ghost. Instead, look in your very own closet for inspiration! Sift through the clothes, look at the colors and try to come up with something creative. Work with what you have and if you need help bring the most outrageous (or good humored) friend help you come up with your own creation.

And by the way...

Don't limit yourself to a particular mental image of what Halloween should be. The best costume I ever saw was a homemade crash test dummy costume! Just remember...you can be funny, silly, homeless, homely, heck you can be Becky from down on the farm!

Let your imagination run wild! Don't forget to go through your mother's old costume jewelry and big hair accessories from the 80's or any other decade that would otherwise never see the light of day.

Begin by sorting your clothing and accessories into themed piles and further sort from that. Mix and match until you find something that jumps out and grabs you, hopefully it won't be last years costume.

Once you've selected your overall theme, you can accessorize and develop more specific pieces to go along with your costume.

If at any time during the process you find yourself missing accessories or certain gear to complete your costume, head on down to your local thrift shop.

Thrift shops can be a great source of ideas for a Halloween costume. Just browse through the racks and see if anything sparks your imagination.

If you have a costume in mind, be sure to focus on what you need but also take notice of suitable substitutions! Remember, it's a Halloween costume, not a formal event. It's perfectly okay to make up your own creations.

What's important is that you're having fun in the creation of your masterpiece costume! Keep it light and fun...who cares if no one can guess who you are? One thing is certain; you can bet you won't find anyone with the same costume - you'll be one of a kind!