How to Make Egyptian Costumes

Egyptian costumes are great to use for Halloween costumes. They are also striking for group costumes for costume parties and for theater performances. While not quite authentic, they look realistic, and anyone who can sew either by machine or by hand can create these fun to wear costumes. Here are instructions on how to make great Egyptian style costumes.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• White fabric
• Stiff metallic fabric
• Glitter fabric paint
• Black wig
• Black eyeliner
• Thread
• Cord
• Scissors
• Eyehooks

1. Cut a simple tunic pattern from the white fabric. To do this, measure from floor to shoulders as well as from elbow to elbow for width with your arms outstretched. Fold the fabric in half and cut a rectangle with the width of the fabric on the fold. You will end up with a piece of fabric that is almost two body lengths long.

2. Cut the neck hole into the fabric by folding the material in half and finding the center. Cut a half circle big enough for the neck. Then cut a three-inch slit down the back of the tunic.

3. Sew the sides of the tunic, leaving room for arm holes and also slits on the bottom of each side. Hem the bottom and arm holes of the tunic. You can add an eye hook set to close the neck after putting it on.

4. Use the stiff shiny fabric to cut a large circle big enough to reach from the edge of one shoulder to the other. Cut a second circle in the center for the neck, and then cut this disk shape from the center to the edge to create an opening.

5. Make fake Egyptian jewelry using the same metallic fabric. Cut 6-inch wide cuff bracelets to place on each wrist. Use the same fabric to make a headband and other Egyptian jewelry such as the belt and apron for the man. Use strips of this fabric to add embellishments to the female tunic.

6. Finish the costume with embellishments. Use the glitter fabric paint to decorate the jewelry made from the shiny fabric. Use cord or an eye hook to help you secure the items in place.

7. Wear a black wig with this costume along with black eyeliner that extends beyond the outside corner of the eye.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use jewelry to top the wig as shown in the photo
• You can use a simple dress in place of the tunic and just add the embellishments
• Don't put eye makeup on children as their skin may be sensitive.

[fetishbuzz]

on 3/15/2009 For hard-to-find specialty fabric try online retailerwww.MJTrends.comThey sell metallic fabric and other niche products which would probably work for an Egyptian costume. They also let you order samples so that you can see the fabric before ordering it.