How to Create a Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head Costume

Celebrate Halloween as the lovable couple dear to yet another generation's heart. Think tan, chunky, shiny, plasticky and oversized. You can even dress the little ones as your potato tots.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Costume Jewelry
• Leotards
• Long-sleeved T-shirts
• Large Gardening Gloves
• Measuring Tapes
• Sewing Machine
• Tan Fabrics
• Threads
• Face Paints
• Elastic

The Body

1. Measure around your body at its largest part, then multiply by 4.

2. Measure very loosely from under your armpits to just above your knees following the contours of your body. Then add 4 inches for the seam and as many more inches as you'd like to give yourself bulk.

3. Use these dimensions to cut a piece of heavy cotton fabric that is potato-colored (or dye it a brownish color).

4. Fold the fabric in half, bringing the shorter edges together.

5. Stitch the fabric together along the bottom and one side edge. You're making a "pocket" to stuff for that bulbous look.

6. Turn the bottom edge over twice using 1 inch of fabric each time. Sew along this line to make a pocket for a drawstring (or elastic). Then insert your drawstring (or elastic), leaving enough to tie when you put the costume on.

7. Stuff the "pocket" with the lightest-weight material you can find ' crinoline, packaging peanuts or even crumpled newspapers.

8. Turn the top edge over 1 inch twice and sew to make a pocket for a drawstring (or elastic). Then insert your drawstring (or elastic), leaving enough to tie after you put the costume on.

The Other Parts

1. Don a long-sleeved, brown T-shirt and knee-high stockings, or a long-sleeved leotard, under the "potato" body.

2. Wear patent leather shoes or spray-paint an old pair of shoes a glossy black.

3. Put on extra-large, white gardening gloves or shiny rubber gloves.

4. Get a "Groucho Marx" set of glasses, eyebrows, nose and moustache for Mr. Potato. Find a bowler hat or any other old-fashioned men's hat.

5. Give Mrs. Potato a shiny handbag; a large, flat-brimmed hat; large, plastic hoop earrings; and a necklace made of large, plastic beads. Apply mascara and bright red lipstick generously.

6. Finish off with the trademark extra-large ears, and give them a glossy, lacquered look. Purchase your ears online or at a tricks and novelty shop.

Tips & Warnings

• Mr. Potato Head is a trademark and © 1995 Hasbro, Inc., Pawtucket, RI. All Rights Reserved.