For Kids or the Young at Heart
Studio 5 Contributor Kiersten Blanchard has four great ideas for no-sew costumes that will you more than a stitch in time.
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Gingerbread Man
Needed:
Brown Felt
Chalk
Scissors
Glue gun and glue sticks
White caulk (like the stuff that seals your shower)
Glitter
Decorative pom poms
Red ribbon
Directions:
1. Buy enough felt that you can double it up (for the front and the back of the gingerbread man) and fit a large outline of the child wearing the costume. Using chalk, trace your child’s outline. Be sure to make it large enough that when the edges are sealed together, your child will fit inside.
2. Cut out the gingerbread man, using your chalk outline as a guide.
3. Remove the top layer of felt, and outline the wrong side of the felt with a glue gun. Be sure to leave an opening for the hands and feet. Replace the top layer of felt and press the two pieces of felt together.
4. Once the glue has cooled, make sure the costume will fit your child.
5. Using the white caulk, decorate the gingerbread as if you were frosting a gingerbread cookie. Sprinkle glitter over the wet caulk. Let dry overnight.
6. Use a glue gun to add decorative pom poms for buttons and a bow tie.
Miss America
Needed:
Sparkly fabric (enough to drape over child and nearly reach the floor in front and back)
Material or ribbon for a belt and to tie up the sleeves.
Fabric glue or double-sided tape
Tiara
Flowers for a bouquet
Thick white ribbon for a sash
Glitter Glue or puffy fabric paint
Clothing to wear under the dress
Costume jewelry and makeup
Directions:
1. Write “Miss America” on the ribbon and let dry. Place diagonally over shoulder and secure at bottom using fabric glue or double-sided tape.
2. Fold the material in half so that the fold will go over the child’s shoulders. Cut a small half circle opening in the fabric for the head. (You can use fabric glue down the sides of the fabric to seal together. Just remember to leave holes for the arms.)
3. Drape fabric over child. Secure using a belt around the waist.
4. Using two short pieces of ribbon or material that matches the belt, bunch up the sleeves on the shoulder and tie in place.
5. Accessorize your child using jewelry, makeup, a tiara, and flowers.
Bug Catcher
Needed:
Straw hat
White shirt
Khaki shorts/pants
Hiking boots and thick socks
1-2 yards of tulle
Several plastic bugs
Glue gun and glue sticks
Large bug catcher’s net
Safety pins or clips
Directions:
1. Glue the plastic bugs on the tulle and the bug net. You may reserve a few to stick on the bug catcher’s clothing. (Reserved bugs can be glue gunned to clips or safety pins and attached to clothing)
2. Drape the tulle over the straw hat and secure into place using a safety pin or clip.
3. Complete the outfit with the white shirt, khaki shorts, boots, thick socks, and the bug net.
Lady Bug
Needed:
2 large (12″x18″) pieces of red craft foam (thick)
1 piece of black craft foam
Black gloves
Black headband
2 Black chenille stems
Two large pom poms (red or black)
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Black Elastic
Scissors
Pencil
Paper punch
Black shirt, pants, and shoes
Directions:
1. Draw the following shape (enlarged) onto your red craft foam. Cut out the shape. Repeat on the other red piece of foam.
2. Trace six circles onto black craft foam. Use the same or different sizes; just be sure there are two of each size so that your circles will be symmetrical. Cut them out.
3. Place the black circles where you want on the red wings. One at a time, lift each circle, put hot glue on the circle, and replace it on the wing.
4. Punch 4 holes, two in the top of each wing. Lace the elastic through, leaving enough to tie over the opposite shoulder, under the arm and back up. The two elastics will crisscross over your child’s chest.
5. Wind one end of a black chenille stem around the headband. Twist the remainder of the stem around finger to give curl. Hot glue a pom pom to the top of the pipe cleaner. Repeat with the remaining chenille stem and pom pom.
6. Dress in black. Accessorize with headband, black gloves, and lady bug wings.
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For many other no-sew costume ideas, visit http://familycrafts.about.com/od/nosewcostumes/
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