How to Make a Teenager Pirate Costume

Pirate costumes are always a popular choice for Halloween, parties and other costumed events. Children and adults of all ages enjoy this type of costume, even teenagers. Like many pirate costume fans, teenagers will likely be looking for a pirate costume reminiscent of those depicted in the popular "The Pirates of the Caribbean" films, which are based upon historical 17th century clothing. To make a pirate costume for your teenager, complete the following instructions.

Things You'll Need

• Pirate costume patterns
• Fabric and thread
• Sewing equipment and supplies
• Buttons

Instructions

1. Determine what type of pirate costume you are going to make for your teenager, and find patterns that suit the look that you are going for. If your teenager is looking for a historically-based costume, you will want to use a historical pattern, such as those linked in the Resources section of this article. If your teenager is looking for a fantasy pirate costume, you can use patterns from any of the major pattern companies, such as Simplicity or Butterick. You may have to piece together parts of different patterns to get your desired look.

2. Make the trousers for your teenager's pirate costume. Traditionally, pirates wear long slop pants or short breeches with buttons on the fly. Sew the trouser pattern pieces together at the side seams, center back seam and inseam, then stitch the fly piece to one side of the center front. Add buttons and buttonholes, then stitch the waistband to the top of the trousers. For a female costume with a skirt instead of trousers, sew the skirt pieces together at the sides, turn up the hem and stitch the waistband to the top of the skirt.

3. Make a pirate shirt. Pirate costumes, both male and female, usually involve a loose peasant shirt with an open placket at the throat. Stitch the pattern pieces for the shirt together at the shoulders and side seams, then turn up the hem. Finish all plackets. Stitch the sleeves together at the sides, then gather the bottom edges and attach the cuffs. Gather the armhole edges of the sleeves and the collar edge of the shirt, then stitch the sleeves to the armhole and the collar to the shirt body.

4. Make a waistcoat or bodice, if desired. Stitch the waistcoat together much like you did the pirate shirt, adding buttons and pockets to the front. For a female pirate's bodice, use an underbust corset pattern or 17th century dress bodice pattern. Stitch the bodice or corset panels together at the sides, then attach the closures at the center back. Turn up the hem on the top and bottom and attach any sleeves.

5. Create the accessories for your teenager's chosen pirate look. Make a 17th century sleeved jacket or Captain Hook frock coat, or simply add strips of multicolored rectangular fabric to the waistline as scarves. Make or buy a tricorner hat, and create tall boot covers for a pair of flat shoes. You can make the boot covers by covering your teenager's foot and leg in muslin fabric and marking where the fabric meets, then cutting the muslin to make a boot cover pattern. Be sure to add extra fabric to the top for a turned-down look.

Tips & Warnings

• If you wish to do a minimum amount of sewing, you can put together a costume using existing clothes. Alter a pair of dark, loose pants or a skirt, and take the buttons off of an oversized long-sleeved white dress shirt. Cut the sleeves and collar from another button-down shirt for a waistcoat.

Resources

• How to Create a Pirate Costume
• How to Make a Jack Sparrow Pirate Costume
• Historical Pirate Garb
• 17th Century Pirate Patterns