Halloween Costume

This year, for Halloween I'm going as a Paper Doll.
This is how I'll do it:

What I'll need:

• 1 or 2 sheets of white poster board
• Clean clothes to trace
• Pencil
• Black permanent marker
• Paint and paintbrushes
• Scissors
• 1/4" elastic
• Stapler and staples
• Headband (optional)
• Tape

How I'll make it:

With pencil, trace a clean item of clothing (dress, t-shirt, jeans) on a piece of white poster board.

When you're finished tracing the clothing, draw a few rectangles coming off of the clothing. These are your paper doll clothing tabs.

Draw details on the outlined clothing, such as collars, lace, buttons, belts, or any other embellishments you want. This is a great place to get creative.

Draw over the pencil lines with a black permanent marker.

When paint is dry, cut clothing out around the outside outline.

To add shoulder straps, cut two pieces of elastic, about 8" long and then staple the end of elastic to top of shoulder area on costume. Be sure elastic is securely attached, with staple going through elastic. Staple other end near armpit. Repeat for other arm strap.

Add an elastic strap at the waist using the same technique. The piece of elastic should be as wide as the waist, with 2" added.

For pants, add a waistband strap, and straps at the ankles.

To make a headpiece, lay headband on poster board and draw a bow along the contour of the headband. Add tabs to ends of bow, as well as underneath bow.

Color and cut as directed above. To attach to headband, fold lower tabs around headband and tape to back of bow.



Tips:
Tape a flat jack-o-lantern treat bucket with tabs to your real treat bucket to add to the Halloween paper doll look.

Use a large foam paintbrush to quickly cover your outfit with paint, or use a sponge to create a textured look (this is great for jeans)

Best paints for this project: acrylic craft paint,tempera, or poster paint. Bright, bold colors are best for this project.

Wear neutral clothing underneath your paper doll costume. A white or black shirt and jeans would be a great choice. (I'll long underwear... teehee.)