How to Make Overalls for a Costume

Use an old pair of jeans to start your overalls.

Whether you're dressing up as a farmer, a construction worker or a gardener, overalls will certainly help to complete your look. With simple sewing skills, you'll have a custom pair of loose fitting trousers with a bib and straps ready in minutes, just in time to wear for a costume or Halloween party. Rummage through your closet to find some materials such as an old pair of blue jeans to get your costume started. Pick up the rest of the materials at a local fabric store and you'll be on your way to whipping up a fun pair of overalls.

Things You'll Need

• Old pair of baggy fit jeans
• Pair of baggy fit jeans from a thrift store (man's size)
• Sewing machine
• Sewing shears
• Straight pins
• Fabric chalk
• Thread
• 2 large buttons
• Measuring tape

Instructions

1. Select an old pair of jeans from your closet or a thrift store. The jeans should be a baggy fit and sit around the hips. These jeans will be the legs of the overalls.

2. Select another pair of jeans from a thrift store in a man's size (baggy fit). Draw a square on the rear of the jeans from hip to hip and from the waist to the top of the legs. Cut out the square on the rear of the jeans. This will be the bib of the overalls.

3. Lay the jeans flat and from the inside, pin the bottom edge of the jean square to the front top of the jeans.

4. Sew the bib to the jeans from the inside. Avoid sewing over the button or zipper of the jeans.

5. Measure from your hips to the top of your shoulder, then measure from the top of your shoulder to your heart. Add the two measurements together.

6. Cut out two strips of jean fabric from the leftover fabric on the man's pair of jeans. Each strip should be 2 inches wide and the length that you measured in Step 5. These will be the straps of the overalls.

7. Sew a button hole on one end of each of the straps.

8. Sew the opposite end of one of the straps onto the top back edge of the jeans toward the left. Sew the opposite end of the other strap onto the top back edge of the jeans toward the right.

9. Sew a button onto the top edge of the the bib toward the left and sew another button onto the top edge of the bib toward the right.

10. Step into the overalls, cross the straps at the middle of your back and button at the bib.

References

• The Free Dictionary: Overalls