Sketch Out Your Design Shape Once you've decided on a design, sketch the basic shape onto one piece of corrugated cardboard. This will be the front panel for the costume.
Using the craft knife, cut out the shape's outline from the first piece of cardboard. After you've cut out the front panel, use it as a pattern to trace the same shape onto your second piece of cardboard. Cut out the back panel using the craft knife.
NOTE: You'll be making a "sandwich" from the cardboard pieces, so be sure to keep track of which side is the inside and which will be the front or back painted side of each piece. Draw Design Details Using the pencil, sketch in the basic details of your design on the front and back costume panels. Next, trace over the pencil lines with permanent marker to create painting guide lines on the costume panels. Prepare Work Area Protect a large table or floor with plastic drop cloth or newspapers (or if the weather is nice, you can work outdoors). Lay out both panels on the protected area and you're ready to paint. Paint Front and Back Panels This is the fun part for the children!
Pour small amounts of paint into recycled foam trays, paper plates or other recycled containers. Provide a few flat plates to use for color mixing and blending. Paint the outlined areas of the design in your desired colors. Allow paint to dry thoroughly, then add any detail lines or color glazes. Allow final paint coats to dry for several hours. Assemble the Costume Panels The "sandwich" costume needs to hang on the child's shoulders and fasten loosely near the waistline.
Hold the front panel up against the child's chest to determine where to position the shoulder straps. Mark lightly with pencil at the top of the front and back panels at mid-shoulder.
Lay panels flat on cutting surface. Using the pencil lines as a guide cut two slits about an inch wide and an inch from the top edges on both the front and back costume panels.
Match the front and back panesl together with insides facing each other. Thread a length of ribbon or a single shoelace through the slits from front to back at each shoulder. Leave a gap of ribbon about 4 inches wide between the panels. Tie the ends of each shoulder stra[ loosely in a bow and try on child. Adjust the shoulder straps as needed to allow panels to hang freely in front and back.
Following the same procedure as for the shoulder straps mark the position for the waistline ties.
Remove costume from child and cut slits in back and front panels for the waistline ties. Thread ribbon or shoe laces through from front to back leaving a gap to allow costume to slip over child's head. Slip costume over child's head and tie at waistline, leaving enough slack so child can walk without costume binding. Costume Accessories Dress your child in simple solid color shirt and pants or leggings that will complement the costume design. You might also make an eye mask or use face paint to add more interest. Or, you can have your child wear a hat to accent the costume.
For example, if you create a rainbow costume, dress the child in blue pants and white shirt. Make a sun mask or hat from a pie plate. More DIY Costume Tips
Easy and inexpensive ways to make kids costumes and face paint makeup using materials from your kitchen cupboards or the recycle bin. Print these masks on card stock or heavy photo paper, then glue on sequins, glitter or feathers. Masks you can make for Mardi Gras, Halloween or dress up and play time fun. There are a variety of timeless costumes for kids available on-line, at your local Target, Walmart, or other department store, or made at h... When I was a kid, there was little around for store bought costumes, other than a handful of those plastic type ones with the costume graph... Homemade Costumes! Tons of easy do-it-yourself costume ideas that'll have you creating your next great Halloween Costume without spending a dime! Yahoo! reviewed these sites and found them related to Homemade Halloween Costumes.
More Easy Costume Fun: Instant Masks
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