How to Make a Bat Costume

Homemade costumes often provide the highlight of any Halloween or masquerade party. A bat costume can be just such a costume contest winning effort. Making a bat costume is as easy as dissembling an umbrella to create authentic bat wings and these steps explain how to make an unusual bat costume.

Things You'll Need

• Black umbrella
• Cutting pliers
• Scissors
• Black hooded sweatshirt
• Fabric pins
• Needle
• Black thread
• Hair elastic
• Felt sticky sheets

Instructions

1. Make bat wings for the costume using a black umbrella by first unscrewing the top of the umbrella and removing the wires that hold the umbrella ribs to the sliding mechanism. Cut the wires connecting the ribs to the umbrella stem. Remove all wires from the ribs but keep them in case you need them later to secure the wings to the sweatshirt.

2. Cut two opposite-facing ribs from the umbrella and put them aside to use for the ears later. Then cut the umbrella fabric in half along the seam. The ribs need to be slightly longer than the fabric when the ribs are joined together, so remove any extra rib parts.

3. Pin an umbrella half to each sleeve of a black hooded sweatshirt. Begin at the armpits of the sweatshirt. After pinning the new bat wings, sew the wings onto the sweatshirt shelves leaving a gap at the armpits for extra rib ends to fit through.

4. Tie the rib ends together with the umbrella wire and fit them through the armpit gap. Use hair elastic to hold wings in place around your wrists.

5. Create bat ears with the umbrella ribs you set aside earlier and pieces of sticky felt. Make a triangle with two pieces of the ribs and place a third rib piece in the middle of the triangle so it bisects the triangle in half. Place the configured triangle rib pieces onto the sticky side of the felt and cover it with more felt so the two sticky sides are together. Cut around the triangle and make another ear by repeating the steps.

6. Attach the ears to the hood of the sweatshirt by sewing the ears onto the costume hood. Wear black sweatpants, slacks or a skirt to complete the bat costume.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase inexpensive umbrellas at a dollar store and clothing at a thrift store.