craftgrrl | Armwarmers, legwarmers, and general costume mods

Okay, I have a few questions for all of you out there that love sewing (like myself).

For awhile now, after finishing my other projects (which I PROMISE I will post as soon as I have camera access), I've been itching to start more. And after grimacing at the prices that speciality stores want for their arm and leg warmers, I wanted to make my own.

Therein lies the problem. Are there any good patterns for making arm and leg warmers, or any tricks of the trade? Any tips you all can offer would be awesome.

Oh, and for my second question. I have to mod (or make) a black trench-style coat for Halloween this year, and it requieres a few oddities. One is a high, stiff collar that I will have to create and attach, and the other is making the coat 'tail" end in a squiggly, ragged shape that needs to stick out at a low angle. I'm thinking wire for the coat-tail, but decided to check in here first before I do anything rash.

Thanks in advance!