How to Make Carnival Costuming Headpieces & Collars

Many Samba carnival costumes are created by hand.

Many countries and communities with a large Roman Catholic population celebrate the period between Epiphany, on Jan. 6, until Fat Tuesday, before lent begins. Carnivals in Brazil, Trinidad, Ecuador, Martinique, Venice and Haiti, and the New Orleans Mardi Gras celebration feature colorful costumes adorned with feathers, bright fabrics and beads. Participants can make part or all of the carnival costume. You can make attractive headpieces and collars for your costume for less money than buying a commercially produced piece.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Fabric
• Scissors
• Foam
• Pin
• Sewing machine
• Peacock feathers
• Embroidery needle
• Dental floss
• Thimble
• Beads
• Compass
• Craft paper
• Hook and eye closure
• Feather boa

Instructions

Headpiece

1. Measure the circumference of the head, level with the middle of the forehead. Cut two 3-inch-wide pieces of brightly colored knit fabric the length of the head circumference plus 1 inch. Cut two pieces of 1/2-inch-thick foam 1 1/2 inches wide and equal to the head circumference.

2. Turn the two pieces of fabric with right sides together and pin them in place. Sew around three sides with a 1/2-inch seam allowance, leaving one long length open. Turn the band right side out. Insert the foam pieces inside the band. Insert peacock feathers into the band between the foam pieces. Fold the edges of the fabric inside the band 1/2 inch and hand-stitch the band closed around the feather shafts using an embroidery needle threaded with waxed dental floss. Insert the needle and thread through each quill as you sew around the band to firmly secure the feathers in place. Use a metal thimble to help push the needle through the quill shaft.

3. Sew one to three rows of beads around the band. Options include sewing a row at the top and bottom edge of the band and across the center of the band, or any combination you like. Alternatively, embroider designs around the band. Hand-sew these in place to prevent damaging the feather shafts or your sewing machine.

Costume Collar

1. Measure the circumference of the neck level with the top of the clavicle. Draw a circle equal to that measurement plus 2 inches on a piece of craft paper. Draw a second circle around the first circle that is 6 inches larger in diameter. Cut around the second circle and cut out the paper inside the first circle to produce a 3-inch-wide circular pattern for the collar. Fold the pattern in half and cut a straight line through one side of the fold.

2. Lay the pattern on fabric that matches your headpiece and cut out two circles. Use the pattern to cut out one circle using 1/8-inch foam. Place the two fabric circles with the right sides together and lay the foam circle on top of the fabric. Pin the three layers in place. Sew the circles together, leaving one end open. Turn the circles right side out through the open end and then hand-stitch the end shut. Sew a hook-and-eye closure on the underside of the collar at the top and bottom edges.

3. Reproduce the bead or embroidery design from your headpiece on your collar. Hand-stitch a feather boa the same color as your peacock feathers around the outer edge of your collar.

Tips & Warnings

• A sharp size-five needle will penetrate the feather shaft without splitting it.

References

• National Geographic: Top 10 Pre-Lenten Celebrations
• Rio Carnival: Costumes
• Rio.com: About Carnival Costumes