How to Make a Clown Dress

The key to clown costuming? Lack of subtlety.

A clown dress is an easy creation for any costume party or Halloween event. You can make this costume yourself by reusing items already in your wardrobe and shopping for inexpensive fabric or mismatched thrift store garments. The key is to, first, choose colorful fabrics, preferably made up of primary colors with polka dots, stripes or other patterns and, second, mismatch the top and bottom portions of the dress. Add typical clown accessories such as a bright wig, clown shoes and clown makeup to complete the look.

Things You'll Need

• Colorful T-shirt
• Measuring tape
• Skirt pattern
• Skirt fabric
• Fabric scissors

Instructions

1. Look through your closet to find a colorful T-shirt to use as the top portion of the dress. If you don't have a usable T-shirt, visit your local thrift store and choose one with multiple bright colors and, if possible, a pattern. Avoid choosing a T-shirt in one solid color.

2. Measure your waistline and hips, then find a skirt pattern in your size for a knee-length gathered skirt.

3. Purchase enough fabric to fit the skirt pattern in addition to 3 feet of ribbon in any bright color. For both, choose something that complements but doesn't exactly match your top. Polka dots and stripes are a good choice for the skirt. Do avoid getting a fabric in one solid color.

4. Cut your fabric to fit the specifications of the pattern, then follow the instructions of the pattern to complete the skirt. Turn the skirt and T-shirt inside out. Measure 2 inches from the bottom hem of the T-shirt and attach the bottom 2 inches of the T-shirt to the waistband of the skirt with sewing pins. With a sewing machine, sew the two pieces together with a zigzag stitch.

5. Finish the dress by wrapping the ribbon around your waist where the two pieces were sewn together and tying it in a large bow.

Tips & Warnings

• For a fuller skirt, purchase a petticoat or crinoline to wear underneath the dress.

• Wear oversized shoes, a colorful wig and bright-colored tights under the dress.

• Use face paint to create two silver-dollar-sized circles on both cheeks.

References

• Gertie's New Blog For Better Sewing: Sew a Full, Gathered Skirt, Part One
• Costume Pop: How to Make a Clown Costume