How to Make a Teen Indian Costume

If you're a teen making your own Halloween costume--or if you're a parent whose teen has suddenly told you she needs a costume for the school play--it's actually not that hard to make an Indian costume. Although style of dress tended to vary from one Native American nation to another, there are a few items that were commonly found in nearly every culture. By using natural fabrics, or those that appear natural, you can put together a simple teen Indian costume for either a boy or a girl. Making your own costume instead of buying one will save you money as well.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Brown or tan sleeveless dress (for girls) Brown or tan pajama pants (for boys) Extra pieces of brown or tan craft felt Beads in a variety of colors, shells, and feathers Leather lacing Fabric paint Scissors Sewing machine Other sewing notions Boots or moccasins Jewelry (optional)

1. Make the base of the costume. For girls, use a brown or tan sleeveless dress. Make sure it's plain, without buttons or adornments. Cut the dress so that it hangs on the diagonal above the knee (don't make it too short). For boys, use a pair of brown or tan pajama pants. Loose-fitting works better and a drawstring is fine. Make a loose vest for boys, using a rectangle of craft felt. When you fold it in half, with the fold at the top, it should be large enough to cover the area from neck to waist, and fit between the shoulders. Cut a semi-circle along the fold; this will be the neck hole. Then, cut a slit from the neck hole down to the front edge, creating an opening in the front of the vest. At the shoulders, angle the sides in a bit to make room for the arms. Before sewing up the sides, have your teen try it on, by draping it over the shoulders and back. Pin at the sides so that it fits comfortably and stitch the sides closed, stopping below the arms.

2. Add fringe. Although not all Native American tribes used fringe in their clothing, it does look nice and adds a period look to the costume. You can buy pre-made fringe, but it's far easier to just cut a length of craft felt and then snip fringe every half-inch or so. For girls, sew a length above the bustline of the dress and at the lower diagonal edge. For boys, trim the front and bottom edges of the vest with fringe, and run a strip down the side seams of each pant leg.

3. Add adornments. Attach beads, shells or feathers to the vest or dress. You can do this by hand-sewing them in place. Paint designs on the dress, vest or pants. Many Native American tribes painted designs onto their clothing, with symbols of their spirituality, their ancestors, or their own accomplishments. Most Native American artwork is done in colors that would be found in nature, so avoid things like hot pink or neons. Use bright colors, such as red, yellow or blue.

4. Make headwear. For boys, use a length of leather lacing to tie a feather into the hair. For girls, you may wish to create a beaded headband out of the scrap pieces of fabric. Although feathers were often worn in the hair, the big feathered "Indian headdress" often portrayed in movies was typically reserved for ceremonial occasions, so just skip that in favor of wearing one or two feathers.

5. Add a pair of boots or moccasins. If you have a pair of soft leather boots or doeskin moccasins, these work perfectly as footwear. Another option is just to wear sandals or go barefoot. For girls, add a few bracelets and a beaded necklace to finish off the ensemble.

Tips & Warnings

• If you live in an area that has a high population of Native Americans, you may want to look into the local heritage to get ideas for costume designs.
• Try to be culturally sensitive. Although it may be fun to be a "sexy Indian princess," that could be seen as offensive by some people.

[Lakota99]

on 3/3/2009 Im glad you realized about the sexy princess that always bugs me. :)