How to Make an Outdoor Princess Costume

A royal hat and wand are the perfect princess accessories.

Princess costumes are pleasing to girls of all ages. With Halloween comes the perfect opportunity to dress up in royal garb. By the end of October, many regions experience cold weather, which can create a challenge when princess costumes are made of lightweight fabric and short sleeves. Eliminate this problem with a homemade princess costume created with cool weather clothing and royal accessories. Trick or treat in princess style with a costume that is sparkly, dazzling--and warm.

Things You'll Need

• Turtleneck shirt
• Leggings
• Gloves
• Glue gun
• Rhinestones
• Sequins
• Jewels
• Glitter
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Strips of lace, satin or fur
• Tulle
• Satin ribbon
• Curling ribbon
• Craft foam sheets
• Velcro
• Canvas shoes or slippers

Instructions

1. Purchase a long sleeved turtleneck shirt, matching knit leggings and matching gloves.

2. Heat up the glue gun. Lay the turtleneck out on a flat surface. Slide a piece of cardboard between the shirt layers to protect from seeping glue. Gently squeeze the trigger of the glue gun to apply small dabs of glue to the front of the shirt. Place craft store rhinestones and jewels on the dabs of glue and gently press to adhere to shirt. Allow to dry. Turn the shirt over and repeat this process on the back.

3. Use the hot glue gun to apply glue to the outline of the turtleneck collar and sleeve cuffs. Press a length of lace, satin or fur trim to attach to the collar and cuffs.

4. Measure and cut a strip of ribbon that will fit as the waistband. Allow one to two additional inches, as the skirt will overlap to close. Measure the length you would like the skirt to be. Cut strips of tulle to a length that measures double the skirt length. For example, if you want the skirt to measure 20 inches long, cut the tulle into 40 inch strips.

5. Drape the lengths of tulle over the waistband so that equal lengths hang from either side. Tie the two draped ends together, forming a center knot at the waistband. Repeat this process, gathering the tulle together until the skirt is full of layered, flowing tulle.

6. Put the skirt on over the leggings, overlap the skirt at the back and secure closed with double stick Velcro.

7. Lay a piece of craft foam flat on a table. Take a strip of tulle and tie a knot at one end. Place the knotted end of tulle in the center of the foam board. Roll the foam into a cone shape, making a tall hat, and glue it closed. Pull the tulle so that the knot sets inside the hole at the top of the cone and the remaining tulle flows from the top of the hat.

8. Embellish the hat with glitter, rhinestones and jewels. Apply a line of glue to the rim of the hat and attach lace, fur or satin that matches the collar and cuff trim of the turtleneck.

9. Paint a wooden dowel in the color you would like for the magic wand. Allow to dry. Glue curling ribbon in a spiral around the dowel. Leave several inches flowing from the bottom end and curl.

10. Cut two equal star shapes out of foam board. Decorate with glitter, rhinestones and jewels. Place the top end of the dowel between the two stars. Glue the shapes together, closing them around the top end of the dowel.

11. Purchase a pair of canvas shoes or slippers in a color that matches the princess outfit. Use the glue gun to apply glitter, rhinestones and jewels to the footwear.

Tips & Warnings

• Accessorize with a lace, satin or fur trimmed cape, if weather is very cold.

References

• Family Fun: Fairy Princess