These are sewing patterns, not sewing machines, so I’m comparing the projects they help you make rather than machine features. For a children’s costume with the widest choice, Simplicity 8726 includes five designs; for matching princess or vampire looks across adult and child sizes, McCall’s M6817 is the more focused option. The adult M6817 covers sizes Small through Extra Large, while its children’s counterpart is limited to sizes 3–8.
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The main tradeoff is variety versus a more specific costume theme. Simplicity gives families more costume directions and instructions in three languages, but it is only for children. The two McCall’s packets each offer a Scottish princess and gothic vampire design, with bilingual instructions, but call for average or above-average sewing skills. I’d choose by wearer size, desired look, and sewing confidence—not by treating these paper patterns as machines.
Key Takeaways
- Simplicity 8726 offers five children’s costume designs—bat man, witch, clown, vampire, and cat—rather than the two Scottish princess and vampire options in either McCall’s packet.
- Adult sizes are covered only by McCall’s M6817 for women, with sizes Small through Extra Large; the other two patterns cover child sizes 3–8.
- Both McCall’s patterns suit average or above-average sewists, so they may be a stretch for a first-time project without sewing support.
- Simplicity 8726 has instructions in English, Spanish, and French; both McCall’s packets list English and Spanish instructions.
- All three are physical paper patterns, not sewing machines, and fabric and other sewing supplies are not included in the provided descriptions.
| Simplicity 8726 DIY Halloween Costume Sewing Pattern for Kids, Sizes 3–8 |  | Best for Kids’ Costume Variety | Brand: Simplicity | Model: US8726A | Pattern type: Physical paper pattern | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| McCall’s M6817 Women’s Scottish Princess and Vampire Halloween Costume Sewing Pattern |  | Best for Adult Sizes and Coordinated Themes | Brand: McCall’s | Pattern number: M6817 | Costume designs: Scottish princess and gothic vampire | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| McCall’s M6817 Girl’s Scottish Princess and Vampire Costume Sewing Pattern, Sizes 3–8 |  | Best for a Specific Princess or Vampire Look | Brand: McCall’s | Pattern number: M6817 | Costume designs: Scottish princess and gothic vampire | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Halloween costume sewing machine | Brand | Costume designs | Size range | Instruction languages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simplicity 8726 DIY Halloween | Simplicity | Bat man, witch, clown, vampire, and cat | Children’s sizes 3–8 | English, Spanish, and French |
| McCall’s M6817 Women’s Scottis | McCall’s | Scottish princess and gothic vampire | Women’s Small through Extra Large | English and Spanish |
| McCall’s M6817 Girl’s Scottish | McCall’s | Scottish princess and gothic vampire | Children’s sizes 3–4, 5–6, and 7–8 | English and Spanish |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Simplicity 8726 DIY Halloween Costume Sewing Pattern for Kids, Sizes 3–8
Simplicity 8726 is my pick for the broadest range of children’s Halloween looks. It includes five designs—bat man, witch, clown, vampire, and cat—so one pattern packet offers more directions than either McCall’s M6817. That variety is especially useful when a household is sewing for children with different preferences, or when the goal is a pattern that can support more than one dress-up idea. Its stated child size range is 3–8, however, so the added design choices do not make it an adult pattern.
Language coverage is another point of difference: English, Spanish, and French instructions give this pattern broader listed language support than the two McCall’s options, which name English and Spanish. The description also says the packet includes sizing guidelines, templates, and step-by-step instructions. That makes the contents sound more guided, but it does not establish that every costume is a simple beginner project; I would still check the pattern directions and match the work to the sewer’s experience.
Compared with the child McCall’s pattern, Simplicity offers more costume concepts while sharing the same general size span. McCall’s may be the better fit when the specific goal is a Scottish princess look, but Simplicity wins when the child has not settled on one character or the family wants multiple options. It remains a paper pattern, not a machine or a complete sewing kit. Fabric and other supplies must be obtained separately, and buyers seeking an adult size should choose the women’s McCall’s packet instead.
Pros:- Includes five costume designs: bat man, witch, clown, vampire, and cat.
- Covers child sizes 3–8.
- Instructions are listed in English, Spanish, and French.
- Includes templates, sizing guidelines, and step-by-step instructions.
Cons:- Limited to children’s sizes 3–8.
- Paper pattern only; fabric and supplies must be purchased separately.
- The description does not specify a skill level for each of the five designs.
Best for: Families making costumes for children in sizes 3–8 who want five design choices and instructions listed in English, Spanish, and French.
Not ideal for: Adults, children outside sizes 3–8, or buyers looking for a sewing machine, fabric bundle, or one specific princess design.
- Brand:Simplicity
- Model:US8726A
- Pattern type:Physical paper pattern
- Costume designs:Bat man, witch, clown, vampire, and cat
- Size range:Children’s sizes 3–8
- Instruction languages:English, Spanish, and French
- Intended uses:Halloween costumes, dress-up, and play
- Item weight:3.2 ounces
Our verdict“I’d choose Simplicity 8726 when children’s design variety matters more than an adult size range or a single focused costume theme.”
McCall’s M6817 Women’s Scottish Princess and Vampire Halloween Costume Sewing Pattern
This is the only pattern in the lineup that covers adult wearers. McCall’s M6817 includes a Scottish princess design and a gothic vampire design for women’s sizes Small through Extra Large. That makes it the clearest choice for an adult who wants to sew a Halloween costume from a paper pattern, and it can also help a family coordinate around princess or vampire themes with the separate children’s M6817 listing. The two McCall’s packets share the same costume concepts, but their size ranges are different; they are not one interchangeable pattern.
The compromise is the narrower two-design selection and higher stated skill bar. Unlike Simplicity 8726, which offers five children’s costumes, this packet focuses on two looks. Its recommended average-to-above-average skill level also makes it less appealing as a first sewing project. The adult size range gives it a unique place in this comparison, but does not make it a good fit for a beginner who needs a project explicitly presented as entry-level.
Instructions are listed in English and Spanish, and the paper packet contains templates, instructions, and sizing guides. Paper is useful as a physical pattern format, though it should be handled and stored with care. As with the other entries, the listing is for a pattern, not a sewing machine, and the supplied information does not say fabric or notions are included. I’d pick this over Simplicity when an adult size is necessary; for a child seeking more character choices, Simplicity is the more flexible option.
Pros:- Provides women’s sizes Small through Extra Large.
- Includes both Scottish princess and gothic vampire designs.
- Lists instructions in English and Spanish.
- Includes templates, instructions, and sizing guides.
Cons:- Recommended for average-to-above-average sewing skills.
- Offers two costume designs, fewer than Simplicity 8726.
- Paper pattern may be damaged if handled or stored carelessly.
Best for: Adults who wear women’s sizes Small through Extra Large and want a Scottish princess or gothic vampire costume pattern.
Not ideal for: Beginning sewists seeking a simple first project, people who need children’s sizes, or buyers expecting a machine or ready-to-sew fabric kit.
- Brand:McCall’s
- Pattern number:M6817
- Costume designs:Scottish princess and gothic vampire
- Size range:Women’s Small through Extra Large
- Recommended skill:Average to above average
- Material:Paper
- Instruction languages:English and Spanish
- Country of origin:USA
Our verdict“I’d choose the adult McCall’s M6817 when wearer size is the deciding factor and the sewer is comfortable with an intermediate-level pattern.”
McCall’s M6817 Girl’s Scottish Princess and Vampire Costume Sewing Pattern, Sizes 3–8
The children’s McCall’s M6817 is the focused choice for sizes 3–8 when the desired costume is specifically a Scottish princess or gothic vampire. It includes two designs, templates, instructions, and sizing guides, with English and Spanish directions. Compared with Simplicity 8726, it gives up three costume choices, but it keeps the decision centered on two recognizable looks. That can be a plus when a child already knows what they want rather than needing a menu of possibilities.
Its size range matches the child sizes listed for Simplicity 8726, but its recommended average-to-above-average skill level is a meaningful caution. The listing does not frame it as a beginner pattern, so a new sewer may need help reading directions and working through the construction. Simplicity also supplies instructions in French as well as English and Spanish, while this McCall’s packet lists two languages. For families who value extra costume variety or French instructions, Simplicity has the stronger case.
The child pattern has a clear advantage over the adult McCall’s packet for younger wearers: its sizes are specifically 3–8 rather than women’s Small through Extra Large. Buyers should still confirm the pattern size against the intended wearer’s measurements, since age or clothing labels alone may not settle fit. This is a paper pattern, not a machine, and its supplied description does not include fabric or sewing supplies. I’d select it for the two named themes, not as the most versatile family costume packet.
Pros:- Includes Scottish princess and gothic vampire costume designs.
- Covers child sizes 3–8.
- Provides templates, instructions, and sizing guides.
- Lists instructions in English and Spanish.
Cons:- Limited to child sizes 3–8.
- Recommended for average-to-above-average sewing skills.
- Offers fewer designs and fewer listed instruction languages than Simplicity 8726.
Best for: Sewists making a Scottish princess or gothic vampire costume for a child in sizes 3–8 who can work at an average or higher skill level.
Not ideal for: Children who want a different costume theme, adults, or beginners looking for a pattern explicitly described as easy.
- Brand:McCall’s
- Pattern number:M6817
- Costume designs:Scottish princess and gothic vampire
- Size range:Children’s sizes 3–4, 5–6, and 7–8
- Recommended skill:Average to above average
- Material:Paper
- Instruction languages:English and Spanish
- Age range:Children
Our verdict“I’d pick the children’s McCall’s M6817 when the wearer wants one of its two specific looks and the sewer is ready for its stated skill level.”
How We Picked
I ranked these options for the specific job implied by the search: making Halloween costumes at home. The supplied products are paper sewing patterns rather than machines, so machine speed, stitch selection, portability, and motor strength cannot be compared here. I instead judged how directly each pattern supports a costume project, how many designs it offers, who can wear the resulting costumes based on its stated size range, and what the skill and instruction details mean for a buyer planning the work.
Design choice and wearer fit carry the most weight. Simplicity 8726 earns the strongest place for family costume variety because it includes five child-friendly designs, while the two McCall’s M6817 listings share a narrower princess-and-vampire theme. The adult McCall’s pattern stands apart because it reaches women’s sizes Small through Extra Large. Its children’s counterpart is a targeted option for sizes 3–8, not a substitute for the adult packet.
I also compared language support and stated skill level. Simplicity lists English, Spanish, and French; McCall’s lists English and Spanish. The McCall’s descriptions explicitly recommend average or above-average sewing skills, so I don’t present either as an easy beginner project. Each item is a paper pattern, and the provided details do not establish that any includes a machine, fabric, or all the supplies a costume requires. My rankings reflect those distinctions rather than assuming the products are interchangeable.
| Halloween costume sewing machine | Brand | Costume designs | Size range | Instruction languages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simplicity 8726 DIY Halloween | Simplicity | Bat man, witch, clown, vampire, and cat | Children’s sizes 3–8 | English, Spanish, and French |
| McCall’s M6817 Women’s Scottis | McCall’s | Scottish princess and gothic vampire | Women’s Small through Extra Large | English and Spanish |
| McCall’s M6817 Girl’s Scottish | McCall’s | Scottish princess and gothic vampire | Children’s sizes 3–4, 5–6, and 7–8 | English and Spanish |
Factors to Consider When Choosing Halloween Costume Sewing Machines
Before choosing between these listings, I’d separate the sewing tool from the project pattern. None of the three products is a sewing machine; each is a paper pattern for making costumes. If you are shopping for a machine, these products do not answer that need. If you already have access to a machine and want a pattern, compare the intended wearer, design options, and stated skill level.
Match the pattern to the wearer first
Size range is the quickest way to narrow the lineup. McCall’s M6817 for women covers Small through Extra Large, while both children’s patterns cover sizes 3–8. The adult packet is the only listed option for adult wearers; the child listings should not be treated as substitutes for it. Before selecting a pattern, check the relevant sizing guide and compare the wearer’s measurements with the pattern’s size information rather than relying only on an age or usual clothing size.
For a child, either Simplicity 8726 or McCall’s M6817 may fit the stated range. The deciding point then becomes design preference: Simplicity offers five costume concepts, whereas McCall’s centers on a Scottish princess and gothic vampire. For an adult, the women’s McCall’s packet is the only match among these products.
Choose between more costume ideas and a specific theme
Simplicity 8726 gives children the widest design selection with bat man, witch, clown, vampire, and cat costumes. That breadth can be useful if a child’s preference is unsettled or if a parent wants a pattern packet that supports several different costume ideas. Its variety is still bounded by child sizes 3–8; it does not expand the wearer range to adults.
The McCall’s patterns are narrower but more targeted. Both offer Scottish princess and gothic vampire designs, so they make more sense when one of those is the exact goal. The women’s version supports an adult wearer, and the children’s version is sized for kids. I’d choose by the desired result rather than assuming a larger design count is always better.
Treat skill level as a real project constraint
Both McCall’s listings state average-to-above-average skill requirements. That detail matters if the project is being sewn by someone new to pattern instructions or working without an experienced helper. A costume deadline does not make a challenging pattern easier, so I would allow time to read the directions, check the pattern pieces, and plan the sewing work before a holiday event.
The supplied Simplicity description mentions step-by-step instructions but does not state a skill level. I would not interpret that omission as proof that every design is beginner-friendly. If ease is a priority, review the available pattern details before committing and consider whether the sewer has experience with paper patterns and garment construction.
Check language needs and what the packet includes
Simplicity lists three instruction languages: English, Spanish, and French. Both McCall’s patterns list English and Spanish. This difference may help a household choose the packet whose directions are easiest for the person doing the work. All three are described as physical paper patterns with templates or sizing information, rather than digital downloads.
Do not mistake a pattern for a complete costume kit. The Simplicity listing explicitly says fabric and supplies must be purchased separately, and the McCall’s descriptions identify pattern materials and instructions rather than included fabric. These products also do not include a sewing machine according to the supplied information. Plan separately for the machine, fabric, and other materials needed to make the garment.
Set expectations for a paper pattern project
Paper patterns need careful handling and storage. The adult McCall’s listing specifically notes that the paper format may be prone to damage if mishandled. Keep pattern pieces and instructions together, and avoid treating the packet like a finished costume or a durable tool. The value of the format is that it provides physical templates and guidance for sewing; it still requires the sewer to follow the directions and supply the materials.
Finally, judge the options by what they actually provide. These three products differ in pattern theme, size range, skill guidance, and languages. They cannot be ranked on machine performance, since no machine specifications are provided. If your search is for a Halloween sewing machine, look for a separate machine roundup; if it is for a costume pattern, the distinctions above point to the right packet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are any of these products sewing machines?
No. All three products are physical paper sewing patterns for Halloween costumes. They provide pattern templates and instructions as described, but the supplied product information does not identify a sewing machine in any packet. If you need a machine, these listings are not machine recommendations.
Which pattern offers the most costume choices for children?
Simplicity 8726 offers five children’s costume designs: bat man, witch, clown, vampire, and cat. The children’s McCall’s M6817 includes two designs, a Scottish princess and a gothic vampire. Both options cover child sizes 3–8, so design variety is the main distinction between them.
Which option is intended for adult sizes?
McCall’s M6817 for women is the only adult-size option among these three products. It lists women’s sizes Small through Extra Large and includes Scottish princess and gothic vampire costume designs. The other two patterns are for children in sizes 3–8.
Are these patterns suitable for a beginner?
The two McCall’s M6817 descriptions recommend average-to-above-average sewing skills, so I would not select either as a first project without support. The Simplicity listing describes step-by-step instructions but does not give a skill rating. That wording alone does not confirm that every design is beginner-friendly, so a new sewer should review the pattern details and plan for help if needed.
Do the patterns include fabric and sewing supplies?
These listings describe paper patterns, not complete fabric kits. The Simplicity description specifically says fabric and supplies must be purchased separately. The McCall’s descriptions list templates, instructions, and sizing guides but do not state that fabric or other sewing supplies are included, so plan to source those separately.
Conclusion
For children who want the most costume choices, I recommend Simplicity 8726: its five designs and three listed instruction languages give it the broadest child-focused range here. For a child set on a Scottish princess or vampire costume, choose the children’s McCall’s M6817, while recognizing its average-to-above-average skill recommendation. For an adult in women’s sizes Small through Extra Large, the adult McCall’s M6817 is the only matching pattern in this comparison. If you are shopping for a sewing machine rather than a costume pattern, none of these products is the right category; they are paper patterns that require a machine and separate materials.
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