I’m sure that no-one needs reminding that Halloween is coming up, the shops are full of decorations, cards, costumes and other paraphernalia. O went out trick or treating for the first time last year, we couldn’t really say no as we live on an estate where almost every house has a young child. The streets are busy with kids on Halloween night knocking on the doors and often unsurely reciting a song or joke.
Last year O asked to be a snail and this year he chose to be a bird. When I pushed further he said he wanted to be a multicoloured stripy bird, but no mask…
So, I put my thinking cap on and made this parrot costume for O. He’s not very into dressing up, so I didn’t want to waste time sewing an intricate costume that would never be worn again (there are some fab bird costumes on pinterest). Instead I chose an old red hoodie that’s now too small, to decorate.
To make the parrot costume you will need:
* 1 hoodie
* Variety of colours of felt
* Hot glue gun and several glue gun sticks
* Foam
* Scissors
1. Choose a base colour for the wing and cut out two tear drop shapes (you can make a paper template, but I just cut by eye) that are as long as the arm and down to the waist band of the top.
2. I then decided to start at the top with the next colour and cut a corner of colour and scalloped the edge for a feather shape.
3. Do the same for as many layers as you like, scalloping each. Use the first layers as a template for the second wing.
4. Cut out a triangle of yellow or orange for a beak and hot glue to the front of the hood.
5. Hot glue each layer of the wings together and then hot glue the top of the wings along the sleeves, leave the vertical edge free for movement.
6. Cut out two bird foot shapes out of the foam and cut a hole in the middle big enough for your child’s foot to squeeze through.
7. Ta-da! Costume is complete!
Are you making your child’s Halloween costume this year?
J x
Claire says
What a fab idea! It looks fantastic too!! I bet your little one LOVES it!! Thankyou so much for hosting #howtosundays x
Elizabeth says
What a fantastic costume idea! I’ve been a terrible parent this year and haven’t organized anything for my kids yet. Saying that, DD wants to be a ghost (easy) and DS, who hates dressing up, wants to be the human scared by the ghost so all he has to do is make a face!
FarZain says
This is beyond amazing! What a costume! I have this stashed in my mind, will definitely use it with my daughter, for her school dress-up competition! Thank you so much for sharing!
FarZain
@http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/
Maria says
What a fabulous idea. Mine are too old for this, but it has inspired me to look for other no-sew ideas for them!
No masks for my youngest either!
Maria says
Lol at being the human scared by the ghost
Sara @ Handy Herbs says
No!! I am rubbish at this kind of creativity and skill! That is amazing Jenny 🙂 Thanks for hosting #HowToSundays
Sarah says
Great tutorial – love the costume. I’m meant to be making a maleficent costume this week – no idea how I’m making the horns yet am relying on the fact someone will have done it on pinterest when I look!
Leandra says
I love this, it’s such a great idea for a costume fab instructions too #howtosundays x
Jenny Eaves says
Thank you! It was so easy and didn’t take long to make! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Thank you Claire! He has loved wearing it this week, walking around searching for worms! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Lol! That sounds easy! O isn’t keen on dressing up normally either (refuses masks too!), love that your DS wants to just make a face. Maybe O will ask for that next year! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Glad you like it! I had such fun making it and it looks really cute on! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Hot glue is amazing stuff! I’ve normally sewn things in the past, but didn’t have time this year and O loves it how it is anyway. 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
😀 x
Jenny Eaves says
Ha ha, this is easy, honest! Glue guns are fantastic for those who don’t like or don’t have time to sew! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
I’m sure someone will have made them already, good luck making it! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Thank you! It was great fun to make and looks cute on O! 🙂 x
Laura Brooks says
Oh wow! This is a really fab idea, perfect for Halloween costumes, especially if you’ll never use it again… I gotta say this is very innovative. My daughter loves wearing costumes, even on normal days but never repeating it ever again. I’m still thinking what she’ll wear on Christmas though, also if I’m gonna sew it or just try using hot glue, haha! (because seriously, it’s easier)
Jenny Eaves says
Ha ha! Yes it’s definitely easier, especially if they don’t wear it often! Thanks for popping by! 🙂 x