How to Create a Pumpkinhead Costume

Jack Pumpkinhead is a character in "Return to Oz." He will pass for any sort of Halloween Pumpkinhead that you'd like others to accept, but the character originated in this fun film and in the books of L. Frank Baum. He is a loyal companion to Dorothy, and he is a fun addition to the Oz family. Children and adults alike will be thrilled with your pumpkinhead. You will literally be wearing a pumpkin on your head. That's something to think about in regards to climate you are in at Halloween.

Things You'll Need

• Pumpkin
• Knife
• Measuring tape

Instructions

1. Draw a face on your pumpkin. It should be a friendly, fun face. That is, unless you want a scary Pumpkinhead. It's your costume so you have poetic license to do as you wish with this character.

2. Measure the widest part of your head. Yes, it's an unconventional action in making a costume, but you will see the wisdom of it in the next step.

3. Make the head of your costume. This is the most challenging part. Instead of slicing the pumpkin from the top, you want to slice it from the bottom. However, you want to be sure that you do not cut it too high. You want only a big enough space to put your head in comfortably. Measure around the pumpkin until you get to the measurement that equals the widest part of your head. The pumpkin itself will rest on your shoulders, but you need to pull the pumpkin over your head.

4. Cut the pumpkin just enough at the measurement. Place the bottom part of the pumpkin aside.

5. Dig out all gunk and seeds from pumpkin until it is completely clean.

6. Carve out the previously drawn face from your pumpkin. Discard all leftover pumpkin parts.

7. Try on your Pumpkinhead and make any adjustments needed for fit and comfort.

8. Put on a pink polka dot shirt. It can be a men's shirt or a women's blouse.

9. Pull on a red vest over the polka dot shirt.

10. Wear a pair of purple pants that have been patched in many places. Any old pair will do. Jack did not claim to be a fashionista. He was thrown together from all kinds of parts.

11. Grab a pair of yellow socks and simple work boots to complete the costume.

Tips & Warnings

• Feel free to make the costume more feminine. It's possible to be Jackie Pumpkinhead instead of Jack.

• Don't carve your pumpkinhead until the last minute. You don't want the costume to get old and stinky before you've even begun.