How to make Handmade Witch Costumes

Witches have been part of popular culture for hundreds of years.

Witches have appeared in cultural references from Shakespeare's "MacBeth" to L. Frank Baum's "The Wizard of Oz." A witch is one of the most iconic creatures of Halloween. Dressing up as a witch can add the right balance to any costume party or adequately frighten trick-or-treaters. You need not be dependent on your local costume shop for such a costume; simply make most of the elements of this costume by hand, using a couple of items you likely already have.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Pen
• Paper
• Black velvet or felt fabric
• Shears
• Pins
• Elastic
• Needle
• Black thread
• Stockings
• Black leotard
• Green or white face make up
• Black eyeliner
• Black pointed cap
• Black boots
• Broom

Instructions

Witch's Skirt

1. Wrap a measuring tape around your waist. Write down the measurement. Measure from your waist down to where you want the skirt to end, maybe at or above your knees. Write down this measurement.

2. Cut two rectangles of black velvet or felt fabric to these measurements. Place one piece of fabric on top of the other and insert pins along their longest sides. Sew the longest sides together, making a simple running stitch with your sewing machine. You should have a tube of fabric with an opening at each end.

3. Create a 1/2-inch hem on one side by folding the fabric inward and pinning it in place. Sew the hem with your sewing machine, making a simple running stitch. Remove the pins.

4. Fold the fabric at the top of the skirt inward approximately 1 inch. Pin it in place. This is the channel where your elastic will go through.

5. Wrap a piece of elastic around your waist and cut it. Thread it through the channel and bring the ends of the elastic together, sewing them.

Witch's Cloak

1. Measure from your shoulder to your feet and add 4 inches. Write down this measurement. Measure from shoulder to shoulder and add 2 inches. Write down this measurement.

2. Cut a piece of black velvet or black felt to these dimensions. Lay it vertically face down in front of you.

3. Cut a piece of black ribbon that is twice the measurement of the length you measured from shoulder to shoulder. Place it horizontally across the fabric, 1 inch down from the top edge of the fabric.

4. Fold the top end of of the fabric down 2 inches and pin it in place. Sew this flap of fabric in place so that it creates a tunnel around the ribbon, allowing the ribbon to move around freely. The ribbon will tie around your neck, creating a dramatic cape.

5. Fold the bottom edge of the fabric 1 inch upwards and pin it in place. Sew it securely to make a 1 inch hem.

Putting It All Together

1. Put on a pair of striped stockings and a black leotard. Slide your skirt on and tie the cloak around your neck.

2. Cover your face in green face paint if you like, or use white face paint. Use black eyeliner to draw over your eyebrows to make them look intimidating. Don a black pointed witch's hat.

3. Put on black boots and carry a broom.

References

• Activity Village: Witch Costume
• "Witch Crafts: 101 Projects for Creative Pagans"; Willow Polson; 2001