How to Make Crepe Paper Costumes

Crepe paper was a popular costume material in the Victorian era. You can find rolls of crepe paper in the party section of many stores, including dollar stores. It’s colorful and inexpensive, and it can be glued, taped or sewn. Crepe paper costumes are not very durable (or waterproof), but they’re perfect for short-term use. You can use crepe paper to make a variety of simple costumes, but it works especially well for simple skirts. Crepe paper skirts are perfect for a hula girl (especially with tissue or crepe paper flowers for hair accents and leis), or you can use several layers of crepe paper skirts for a flapper girl dress. You can also use crepe paper to make wings for a butterfly or fairy costume, or even hats.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• One to two rolls of crepe paper
• Scissors
• White glue
• Cardboard and elastic (for wings)
• Markers or glitter (optional)
• Flat work surface

Make a Crepe Paper Skirt

1. Cut a piece of crepe paper long enough to wrap around the waist and tie in a bow.

2. Cut strips of crepe paper the length you want the skirt. The number of strips you’ll need depends on how wide you need to make the skirt.

3. Lay the waistband on a large flat surface, such as a table or the floor.

4. Place the end of one strip of crepe paper in the center of the waistband. Place another strip next to it, overlapping the strips about 1/4 inch. Continue placing strips this way until you’ve covered the part of the waistband that wraps around the waist, leaving the ends empty to allow you to tie the skirt together.

5. Glue the tops of the crepe paper strips to the waistband.

6. Try on the skirt by tying it around the costume wearer’s waist. Add more strips if needed.

7. Cut another strip of crepe paper to cover the top edges of the skirt strips (optional) and glue it to the waistband.

Make Crepe Paper Wings

8. Draw wings the size and shape you want on a piece of cardboard. Cut out the wings.

9. 

   Cut away the center of the cardboard, leaving 1 inch of cardboard around the edges. This will be the frame for the wings.

10. Lay the cardboard down on a flat surface, such as a table or the floor.

11. 

    Cut a strip of crepe paper long enough to reach from the upper left corner of the wings to the lower right corner of the wings. Glue the ends of the crepe paper to the cardboard.

12. 

    Cut more strips of crepe paper the same size to cover the rest of the wings. You may want to use several colors to make a rainbow or Monarch butterfly.

13. 

    Glue the strips of crepe paper in place. Trim the edges of the crepe paper to match the shape of the wings.

14. Turn the wings over. Cut two pieces of elastic, each long enough to loop over the wearer’s shoulder and under the arm. Glue the ends of each piece of elastic to the wings to make straps.

15. Decorate the wings with markers or glitter, if desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to wear shorts, tights or leggings under a crepe paper skirt.
• If you prefer not to tie on the skirt, you can make the waistband just long enough for the ends to overlap slightly. Cover the entire waistband with crepe paper strips, then put the skirt on, overlap the ends of the waistband and pin them together with a safety pin.

Resources

• Here are crepe paper hats and more costume ideas.