How to Make a Costume of Goddess Persephone

Once a year, Persephone was allowed to leave the underworld, heralding spring.

Persephone was taken from her mother to the underworld by Hades. Once there, her mother refused to allow the Earth to bloom until she returned. Because Persephone tasted the pomegranate seeds, the fruit of the underworld, she could not return for good. Instead, she returned every spring to see her mother. On her return, the whole world bloomed. You can create your own Persephone costume using a basic Greek-inspired costume with spring flowers and wheat, both symbols of the goddess Persephone.

Things You'll Need

• Queen bed sheet
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Gold cording
• Strappy flat sandals
• Baby’s breath
• Spring flower (optional)
• Bobby pins
• Sheath of wheat

Instructions

1. Fold a queen bed sheet in half width-wise. Fold it so the side you want showing when completed is facing inward. Bring the long edges together and pin them with straight pins 1/4-inch in from the edge. Sew along the straight pins to create a 1/4-inch seam. Leave the short sides unsewn. Remove the straight pins.

2. Slide the sewn sheet onto your body. Rest the top of the sheet underneath your armpits. Gather the sheet around your left shoulder by pulling the fabric in front and behind the shoulder together. Pin the fabric in place with a safety pin where it meets. Repeat the process with the right shoulder. Take the sheet off.

3. Sew the shoulder gatherings together where you pinned them to create the shoulder straps for the dress. Remove the safety pins. Turn the sheet right side out by pulling the fabric through one of the open ends.

4. Place the sewn sheet back on. Tie a piece of gold cording around your waist that is three times as long as your waist is around. Wrap it around your waist twice before tying. Then, let the loose ends hang down off your right hip.

5. Pull the sheet up and let it balloon over top of the tied cording.

6. Wear a pair of strappy flat sandals. If possible, wear a pair that has a leather band to tie around your calf.

7. Attach baby’s breath or other small spring flowers into your hair using bobby pins.

8. Carry a sheath of wheat. Look for wheat at the craft store in either dried or silk versions.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a smaller sheet for smaller body types and a larger sheet for larger body types.

• Choose a green-colored sheet to represent the growth of spring.

References

• Theoi Greek Mythology: Persephone
• Rich East High School: Clothing of the Ancient Greek Woman
• Fashion-Era; Ancient Greek Costume History; Green Dress – Chiton