How to Make Nymph Costumes
A nymph, derived from classical Greek and Roman mythology, is a beautiful spirit who represents different aspects of nature. Found by forests and near bodies of water, these spiritual creatures enjoy singing and dancing. Girls and adult women enjoy dressing up as the Hesperides land nymph, known for tending a peaceful garden and having wings, lovely hair and flower-inspired clothing. While you can purchase a land nymph costume, it is just as easy to make.
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Things You'll Need
- Leotard and flowing skirt or dress
- Safety pins
- Oversized wings
- Sewing needle
- Matching thread to bodice
- Scissors
- Newspaper
- Glue gun
- Ivy or green plastic garland
- Plastic flowers and greenery
- Measuring tape
- Colorful 1-inch ribbons
- Long-haired wig
- Glitter hairspray
- Silver and gold sparkly eye makeup
- False eyelashes
- Eyelash glue
- Blush brush
- Creamy blush
- Sparkly lip gloss
- 12-inch sturdy stick
- Construction paper
- Green glitter
- Light green tights
- Ballet slippers
Instructions
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1
Turn the dress or leotard over and pin the wings. Try the item on and make sure that the wings are in the correct spot. Take the dress off, adjust the wings as necessary and adjust the pins.
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2
Unravel the thread and cut about 20 inches. Dampen the thread with your mouth and thread your sewing needle. Pull the thread the eye of the needle until you have a five-inch tail. Pick up the other thread end with your thumb and forefinger. Wrap the thread around your finger while holding the thread down with your thumb. Twist the thread together and move your forefinger toward your thumb. Push the loop that forms off the end. Pull tight to knot.
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3
Push the needle through the core center of the wings and pull the thread all the way through the inside of the dress or leotard. Place the needle back on the wing center and pass it through to the other side. Pull taut. Continue sewing the wings onto the dress by passing the needle up the wing center until you reach the top. Cut the needle off. Tie a knot with the remaining thread.
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4
Place the ivy garland around the skirt or dress by starting at the top, for example, and winding it around to the bottom. Place a safety pin at the top and at the bottom. Leave any greenery sagging in the center.
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5
Spread newspaper on a flat surface. Plug in the glue gun and wait five minutes. Place colorful, plastic flowers strategically around the dress or leotard and skirt. Pick up each flower, add a drop of glue and press down for five seconds. Turn the item over and add the flowers to the other side.
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6
Add the ribbons dropping down around the waistline. Place each ribbon at the waistline, beginning in the center. Measure four inches and place the next ribbon. Add a drop of glue at the top of each ribbon. Press onto the fabric and hold for five seconds. Turn the dress or skirt over and repeat. The ribbons will be free-flowing.
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7
Put the flowers on the wig. Use a drop of glue on the back of each flower and carefully place toward the bottom ends of the wig. Glue a couple more near the wig's scalp. Spray the entire wig with glitter hair spray.
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8
Put on the nymph's face. Use silver and gold sparkle eye makeup and sweep it across the eyelids. Put eyelash glue on the top lashes. Push the false eyelash carefully onto the glue and hold for 10 seconds or according to the manufacturer's directions. Repeat on the other side. Dip a brush into a creamy blush and scoop up a generous amount. Apply to both cheeks in a circular motion. Add sparkly gloss to the lips.
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9
Draw a four- by five-inch star on construction paper. Cut out the star using scissors. Cover the star with glue. Sprinkle a generous amount of glitter on top. Turn the star over and repeat. Start at the top of the stick and glide the glue gun down 1 1/2 inches. Place the star on the stick and hold for five seconds. Put a drop of glue at the bottom of the star on the stick. Add a ribbon. Put another drop on top of that ribbon. Add another ribbon.
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10
Complete the nature nymph outfit with tights and ballet slippers.
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Tips & Warnings
If you want to use a flowing dress, the dress should be a solid, light color, featuring long sleeves. The dress can have ties, gatherings, draping or other natural embellishments. If you want to use a leotard and skirt, the leotard should be light in color and solid, while the long skirt should feature tulle or tons of draping fabric in velvet, chiffon or polyester.
Glue a flower on the top of each ballet shoe.
If you don't want to glue or sew the wings, garland and flowers, fasten with pins instead.
Children shouldn't be around a hot glue gun.
Glue flowers and spray the wig when it is off the head.
References
- Photo Credit Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
