Howdy, pardner. To turn your kid into a charismatic cowboy, just rustle up some brown-paper grocery and trash-compactor bags. When you get home, snip and punch them into a fringed vest and chaps, then add paper-fastener studs and candy-cup conchos. A mop-maned horse is ready to accompany this rider on a hunt for candy.
Tools and Materials
1 pack trash-compactor bags
1 box brass paper fasteners
1 paper grocery bag
1 pack foil candy cups
1 aluminum loaf pan
1 rope-style mop head
1 pair shoelaces
Chaps How-To
1. Using our templates as a guide, draw chaps onto an upside-down trash-compactor bag. Fold up open end for cuffs. Cut out chaps.
2. Stud each leg along outer edge using a hole punch and brass paper fasteners; push fasteners through top fold of gusset only so bag will still expand.
3. Decorate some fasteners with flattened foil candy cups and thin strips of brown paper; fringe edge of each leg.
4. Punch holes through each leg at inside of knee, upper thigh, and waist; use shoelaces to tie chaps over jeans.
Vest How-To
1. Cut away sides of a medium size paper grocery bag; think of bag's bottom as the shoulders. Draw bottom portion of the vest pattern onto front of bag, and the top portion onto bag's bottom.
2. Cut front and top of bag along tracing (back of bag remains intact). Fringe bottom edge.
3. Punch holes in front and back of vest, as indicated, and insert brass fasteners.
4. Loop rubber bands between fasteners at sides and at front to hold vest closed.
Hat How-To
1. For crown of hat, punch hole in center of each long side of an aluminum loaf pan, and crease down the middle.
2. For brim, use our brim template to draw hat brim onto kraft paper. Cut out along outer edge, and cut out center.
3. Cut tabs along inside edge; tape to inside of pan. Thread shoelaces through holes in pan and knot on outside.
4. For the belt buckle: Draw an oval onto cardboard. Cut out.
5. Cover in foil, and stud with brass fasteners. Use duct tape to fasten buckle to a strip of corrugated cardboard cut across the grain, long enough to wrap around the waist.
Showing posts with label Costumes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Costumes. Show all posts
Cheerleader
Hip, hip, hooray! The crowd will go wild for this cheerleader and her very cheer-full ensemble. The pleated skirt is made from strips of yellow sponge cloths and blue tape; the pom-poms, from checkered mop heads. Bright shoelaces, dot stickers, and a paper-star cutout deserve extra applause.
Tools and Materials
2 fabric mop heads
2 packs sponge cloths
1 roll packing tape
1 pack dot stickers
1 pair shoelaces
Pom-Poms How-To
1. Fold two 12-inch lengths of 2-inch-wide packing tape in half lengthwise, and affix to plastic top of fabric-style mop heads by wrapping ends with more tape.
Skirt How-To
1. Trim two 15-by-14-inch sheets of sponge cloths so they're each 10 inches long. On underside of one cloth, draw an evenly tapered strip that's 2 1/2 inches wide at one end and 3 inches wide at the other; cut out.
2. Use this strip as a template, and continue making strips, alternating between the 2 1/2- and 3-inch ends to maximize cloth (the 2 1/2- inch ends will form the top of the skirt).
3. Starting at the 2 1/2-inch end of a strip, use a hot-glue gun to apply a line of glue about 3 inches down one side; overlap the glued portion with another strip. Repeat with remaining strips.
4. Cut a piece of double-fold bias or packing tape to the size of the glued strips, plus 12 inches on each side for ties. Fold tape in half over top, and glue.
5. Cut out a star from colored construction paper, and affix to a white shirt with double-sided tape. Decorate sneakers with colorful shoelaces and dot stickers.
Tools and Materials
2 fabric mop heads
2 packs sponge cloths
1 roll packing tape
1 pack dot stickers
1 pair shoelaces
Pom-Poms How-To
1. Fold two 12-inch lengths of 2-inch-wide packing tape in half lengthwise, and affix to plastic top of fabric-style mop heads by wrapping ends with more tape.
Skirt How-To
1. Trim two 15-by-14-inch sheets of sponge cloths so they're each 10 inches long. On underside of one cloth, draw an evenly tapered strip that's 2 1/2 inches wide at one end and 3 inches wide at the other; cut out.
2. Use this strip as a template, and continue making strips, alternating between the 2 1/2- and 3-inch ends to maximize cloth (the 2 1/2- inch ends will form the top of the skirt).
3. Starting at the 2 1/2-inch end of a strip, use a hot-glue gun to apply a line of glue about 3 inches down one side; overlap the glued portion with another strip. Repeat with remaining strips.
4. Cut a piece of double-fold bias or packing tape to the size of the glued strips, plus 12 inches on each side for ties. Fold tape in half over top, and glue.
5. Cut out a star from colored construction paper, and affix to a white shirt with double-sided tape. Decorate sneakers with colorful shoelaces and dot stickers.
Dress Up Box
From the moment 2-year-olds first slide they're tiny feet into grown-ups' shoes, their stepping into the magical world of pretend. Experts will say they're learning another person's point of view, but to your little grown-up, it's simply about having fun. You can help your kids enjoy the adventure even more by setting up a well-stocked dress-up box.
Stocking the Box
The best places to get clothes for a dress-up box are the closets of grown-ups. If you don't have much to cull from your own closet, put the word out to family and friends. Or visit thrift stores, yard sales, and discount stores, which can provide a wealth of inexpensive selections. The items should strike a balance between ones that have specific uses, such as a football helmet, and those that can have many, such as a scarf. Be sure to add plenty of accessories, and choose a wide array of styles. A great way to expand your child's options is to occasionally swap some of the box's contents with a friend's. There is one item you'll want to include even though it doesn't fit in the box: a big mirror.
Hats and Headgear
Toddlers won't mind large hats that slide around, but as kids get older, you may want to add toy hats that fit better. Wigs create lots of new looks, and their quality doesn't matter. A tiara is a wonderful addition for a girl; with a scrap piece of tulle, it becomes a bridal veil. Don't forget headbands, which can be worn in a wide variety of ways.
Shoes and Boots
Too-big shoes are most popular in the earliest stages of dress-up. Boots stay on better than shoes, so they might get more use. Rain boots are suitable for equestrians and firefighters; cowboy boots complete the outfit of a rancher or a rodeo star. Girls love heels, but you should stick with shoes that have low ones to avoid a twisted ankle.
Garments
Short dresses and bathrobes, as well as half-slips, are great choices since they become floor-length on a child. Bridesmaid dresses are favorites with girls. Men's suit jackets can have many uses. Suit vests come in interesting textures and patterns; down or camouflage vests are good to toss in too. To make grown-up clothes easier for kids to wear, just do a few simple adjustments: Trim straps and stitch them back together so they won't fall down, shorten long dresses by cutting them with pinking shears for a quick fix, shrink suit jackets in the washer and dryer, and replace buttons and ties with Velcro. Children are not very picky, so your makeshift tailoring job doesn't need to be perfect.
Props
Start with purses and wallets, and include play money, date books, and keys on a ring. As kids begin to experiment with different roles, add such props as a magnifying glass, stethoscope, cane,menu, receipt pad, telephone, and microphone. Provide items that children can be creative with. A chopstick may become a fairy's wand, a conductor's baton, or a teacher's pointer; a wrapping-paper tube makes a fine sword for a knight or a scepter for a king.
Accessories
Young kids will happily pile on necklaces and other baubles. For safety reasons, toys should be substituted for certain items, such as badges with pins, and small objects should be avoided with young children. Choose costume jewelry, and try to find clip earrings. Boas, shawls, and ties are musts. Sunglasses should be on the glamorous side; turn a pair into fancy eyeglasses by removing the lenses. Select different kinds of gloves -- some dressy, but also work gloves or rubber gloves. Belts can go around the waist (get them to fit by cutting in half and stitching back together). Scarves offer special versatility; a sheer square can make kids "invisible".
Costumes and Uniforms
Check with dance studios for used costumes. Old store-bought Halloween costumes might inspire your child to be a superhero or a fairy princess. For uniforms, ask local businesses for their old ones -- a little mechanic will appreciate a work shirt with authentic oil stains. Thrift stores may have uniforms or scouts' shirts, which are fitting for a police officer.
Stocking the Box
The best places to get clothes for a dress-up box are the closets of grown-ups. If you don't have much to cull from your own closet, put the word out to family and friends. Or visit thrift stores, yard sales, and discount stores, which can provide a wealth of inexpensive selections. The items should strike a balance between ones that have specific uses, such as a football helmet, and those that can have many, such as a scarf. Be sure to add plenty of accessories, and choose a wide array of styles. A great way to expand your child's options is to occasionally swap some of the box's contents with a friend's. There is one item you'll want to include even though it doesn't fit in the box: a big mirror.
Hats and Headgear
Toddlers won't mind large hats that slide around, but as kids get older, you may want to add toy hats that fit better. Wigs create lots of new looks, and their quality doesn't matter. A tiara is a wonderful addition for a girl; with a scrap piece of tulle, it becomes a bridal veil. Don't forget headbands, which can be worn in a wide variety of ways.
Shoes and Boots
Too-big shoes are most popular in the earliest stages of dress-up. Boots stay on better than shoes, so they might get more use. Rain boots are suitable for equestrians and firefighters; cowboy boots complete the outfit of a rancher or a rodeo star. Girls love heels, but you should stick with shoes that have low ones to avoid a twisted ankle.
Garments
Short dresses and bathrobes, as well as half-slips, are great choices since they become floor-length on a child. Bridesmaid dresses are favorites with girls. Men's suit jackets can have many uses. Suit vests come in interesting textures and patterns; down or camouflage vests are good to toss in too. To make grown-up clothes easier for kids to wear, just do a few simple adjustments: Trim straps and stitch them back together so they won't fall down, shorten long dresses by cutting them with pinking shears for a quick fix, shrink suit jackets in the washer and dryer, and replace buttons and ties with Velcro. Children are not very picky, so your makeshift tailoring job doesn't need to be perfect.
Props
Start with purses and wallets, and include play money, date books, and keys on a ring. As kids begin to experiment with different roles, add such props as a magnifying glass, stethoscope, cane,menu, receipt pad, telephone, and microphone. Provide items that children can be creative with. A chopstick may become a fairy's wand, a conductor's baton, or a teacher's pointer; a wrapping-paper tube makes a fine sword for a knight or a scepter for a king.
Accessories
Young kids will happily pile on necklaces and other baubles. For safety reasons, toys should be substituted for certain items, such as badges with pins, and small objects should be avoided with young children. Choose costume jewelry, and try to find clip earrings. Boas, shawls, and ties are musts. Sunglasses should be on the glamorous side; turn a pair into fancy eyeglasses by removing the lenses. Select different kinds of gloves -- some dressy, but also work gloves or rubber gloves. Belts can go around the waist (get them to fit by cutting in half and stitching back together). Scarves offer special versatility; a sheer square can make kids "invisible".
Costumes and Uniforms
Check with dance studios for used costumes. Old store-bought Halloween costumes might inspire your child to be a superhero or a fairy princess. For uniforms, ask local businesses for their old ones -- a little mechanic will appreciate a work shirt with authentic oil stains. Thrift stores may have uniforms or scouts' shirts, which are fitting for a police officer.
Fairy Wings
A fairy can't do without her wings, so I've also whipped up a few diagrams and easy step-by-step instructions to make your fairy costume wings:
1. Start by creating the fairy wire wings. Take a coiled roll of 9-gauge aluminum wire (available at hardware stores) and cut a 16-foot piece (a bit more than what you'll be needing, but it's always better to have a bit more just in case). Bend the wire in half and then twist a small loop at the bend (if you need, use pliers).
2. Then, about 8 inches up from the loop, form a large wing shape from the wire and do the same with the other side (just follow the diagrams below and you'll be fine). Close the wings with a twist (Note: the wings can be bent into different shapes).
3. Take another piece of wire and connect between both wings, creating a triangle
4. Make the top section of the costume wings by twisting each part to look like two smaller parts of the wing.
5. Cut the legs off a pair of queen-size panty hose (any color you choose). Stretch one leg over the bottom part of a wing, secure with a pipe cleaner, and stretch the excess over the top part of the wing. Repeat on the top and bottom of the other side.
6. Tie the middle of a 7-foot piece of ribbon to the bottom of the triangle (where the loop is). Thread the ribbon around the triangle so the costume wings can be worn like a backpack.
Now you can fly!
1. Start by creating the fairy wire wings. Take a coiled roll of 9-gauge aluminum wire (available at hardware stores) and cut a 16-foot piece (a bit more than what you'll be needing, but it's always better to have a bit more just in case). Bend the wire in half and then twist a small loop at the bend (if you need, use pliers).
2. Then, about 8 inches up from the loop, form a large wing shape from the wire and do the same with the other side (just follow the diagrams below and you'll be fine). Close the wings with a twist (Note: the wings can be bent into different shapes).
3. Take another piece of wire and connect between both wings, creating a triangle
4. Make the top section of the costume wings by twisting each part to look like two smaller parts of the wing.
5. Cut the legs off a pair of queen-size panty hose (any color you choose). Stretch one leg over the bottom part of a wing, secure with a pipe cleaner, and stretch the excess over the top part of the wing. Repeat on the top and bottom of the other side.
6. Tie the middle of a 7-foot piece of ribbon to the bottom of the triangle (where the loop is). Thread the ribbon around the triangle so the costume wings can be worn like a backpack.
Now you can fly!
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