How to Make a Costume: Step-by-Step Guide

This updated guide explains how to Make a Costume through clear steps, practical examples, and important checks that help prevent common errors.

Method 1 of 6:

Making Halloween Costumes

Make a pirate costume. You can make yourself a pirate costume to sail the seven seas and find your buried treasure!
Make a mermaid costume. Be a beautiful mermaid just like you always dreamed as a little girl!
Make a ghost costume. Never mess with a classic: if you're on a budget, go for a quick ghost costume!
Make a fairy costume. Pair some wings with a pretty, floral dress, and makeup to get this pretty, girly costume.
Create a zombie costume. Brains! Grr! Arg!
Dress as popular characters. You can also do Halloween costumes based on characters you like from books, movies and TV shows. There are lots of options, like Katniss from the Hunger Games series, Harry Potter, or Harley Quinn from Batman!

Method 2 of 6:

Making a Ghost Costume

Get a white sheet. The size of the sheet will depend on the size of the person wearing the costume.
Cut eye holes. Place it over the intended wearer and use a black pen to mark where the eye holes go. Take the sheet off and cut 1 1/2"x2" holes for the eyes. The holes can be bigger or smaller, as desired.
Rough the sheet edges. Cut off the seams on the sheet, in a rough, uneven manner. Then use a soapstone, steel wool, or other rough object an rub in all along the edge. This will make it look old and worn.
Add additional details. You can also add additional details. Stain the sheets with some tea, or splash on some fake blood. Get chains from your local hardware store and wrap them around the costume wearer's shoulders. You can even get glow in the dark paint from the craft store and paint on a ghoulish face!

Method 3 of 6:

Making a Zombie Costume

Get a normal outfit. This should consist of clothes that you don't mind ruining.
Rough up the clothing. Stain the clothes with fake blood or tea. Then, take a soapstone, steel wool, or other rough object and rub it on the clothes at the hems and other key points to create wear.
- If you do so carefully, you can even burn the clothes slightly. Just make sure that they are 100% cotton and you have something to stamp the fire out with. You should also be sure to do this outside in a safe area.
Apply face makeup. You will want to apply dark makeup around your eyes. You can also add fake blood around your mouth. Depending on skin tone, you might want to add white makeup to the rest of your face as well.
Work on your zombie walk! Drag a leg, hold out your arms, and don't be afraid to do some research!

Method 4 of 6:

Making a Fairy Costume

Get fairy clothes. Get a dress with an ethereal look. It should have a ruffly bottom, and be pastel or light in color. Shoes should be sandals. You can also get cut stockings or arm warmers if you're worried about being cold.
Do your makeup. Draw flowers, vines, or other natural designs on your face. Finish it off with some bright eye shadow and pink lips!
Make your fairy dust bag. Get a bag that looks appropriate for a fairy. Take an old tee-shirt (or shirts) and stuff it in the bag until the opening is nice and visible and the shirt is poking out. Cover the surface of the shirt showing with glue and then immediately add glitter. Allow it to dry and it will look like you have a bag full of fairy dust!
Make fairy wings. Make whatever kind of wings you want or buy a pair.

Method 5 of 6:

Making Basic Theater Costumes

Make an Ancient Greek or Roman costume. You can make an ancient looking dress very easily using nothing but pins and sheets. These can be tied in a variety of ways to achieve different looks.
Make a Renaissance costume. Women can make an easy Renaissance costume (appropriate for Shakespeare plays), by combining a long, full skirt with a white peasant-style blouse. Use a belt or corset (found online or in local adult/alternative stores) to complete the look. Men can wear knee-length pants with leggings and leather shoes. A simple white shirt with a formal vest will compete this costume.
Make a French rococo costume. If you're in a Marie Antoinette mood, get this look by pairing pale makeup and a white wig with white stockings and heeled shoes (for both genders!). Women should sew extra lace and bows to a full, long dress. Men should wear long coats and formal vests with gathered, knee-length pants. Colors should be pastels for both genders.
Make a Japanese costume. Find a silk kimono or robe and tie it using a wide scarf or make an obi (1'x10' rectangle). Wear with sandals and hair tied up with flowers. Men should wear short robes in dull colors (dark blue or black) and very loose, flowing pants.
Make a Victorian costume. Men should wear suits with vests and spats. Top hats or bowlers are also appropriate. Women can make a simple Victorian outfit by pairing a long skirt in a thick material with a high collared shirt (preferably with puffy sleeves). Women should also wear hats and spats, if possible.
Make a Puritan/Pilgrim costume. This can be done by wearing a black shirt and knee pants for men and a long black dress for women. Pair with hats and make a white collar from paper or fabric.
Make a 1920s costume. A woman's 1920s dress is very easy to make. Men can simply wear a suit with a vest and leather shoes.
Make a mid-century costume. Women can dress in a mid-century style by wearing limp skirts and padded shoulder dresses or skirt suits for a 30s or 40s look or by wearing a blouse and full skirt for a 50s look. Men can wear suits or military uniform.
Make a fairytale costume. Pair a full skirt with a peasant blouse and apron for a Cinderella look or a flowery dress with wings for a fairy look! Men can follow the above directions for a Renaissance or Rococo outfit.

Method 6 of 6:

Making a Costume from Scratch

Learn to use patterns. Learn how to read sewing patterns so that you can make any costume you can find a pattern for.
Use a sewing machine. Using a sewing machine can significantly improve your costumes. This is easy to do and with a little practice you can make your work look very professional.
Learn to sew buttons . Buttons and other closures are very important parts of many outfits. Learn how to install them correctly.
Learn to insert zippers. Especially if buttons are too hard for you, zippers may be easier and inserting them is a good basic sewing skill.
Start with basic projects, like sewing a full skirt. Many female costumes use full skirts, like circle skirts. These are easy to sew and are a great place to start with building your sewing skills.

FAQ

What is the easiest way to Make a Costume?

Start with the requirements in this guide, then follow each step in order. Check the result after every major change so problems are easier to identify.