How to Make a Chiton Out of a Bed Sheet

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Things You'll Need

  • White queen size flat sheet

  • Sewing machine

  • Thread

  • Measuring tape

  • Sewing pin

  • Chalk

  • Needle

  • Paper

  • Pencil

  • Scissors

  • Braided cord

  • Tassels

  • Fabric glue

Image Credit: penkanya/iStock/GettyImages

A Greek chiton isn't a look for the everyday citizen -- but it is perfect for those who want to show off their inner gods and goddesses. Made from a rectangular piece of fabric, a traditional female chiton can be easily created from a flat bed sheet. The chiton is belted at the waist with a cord or rope and can be made out of any color. This costume can be completed in under an hour.

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Simple Chiton

Fold the Sheet

Fold the queen-size sheet in half width-wise, right-sides together. The sheet should look like a long rectangle with one open side and one closed side.

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Pin the Sheet

Pin the sheet together on the open side to create a seam. Pin the top edges together first, and add pins every 2 inches until you reach the bottom of the sheet.

Sew the Seam

Sew the sheet together with a 5/8-inch seam. Turn the sheet right-side out.

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Spread the Garment

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Lay the DIY Green chiton on a flat surface. Measure 12 inches from the top edge of the fabric and fold that section down. Pin it in place along the top edge. This will be the billowing top of the garment.

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Sew the Edge

Sew the top edge down to the under fabric. Use a 5/8-inch seam. If you desire, use a decorative stitch to enhance your DIY chiton.

Measure and Mark

Lay the garment back onto a flat surface. Measure the width of the top of the fabric. Mark the center with an X.

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Shoulders for Your DIY Chiton

Determine shoulder placement. Measure the width of your shoulders, and divide that measurement in half. Record the measurement.

Measure and Pin

Use the center X as a guide. Place your tape measure on the center of the X and measure outward toward the sides of the garment.

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Measure the recorded length on each side of the X. Place a sewing pin in the top of the fabric on the front and back to mark this measurement.

Stitch to Finish

Pin the front and back sections together where they have been marked, and hand stitch the fabric together. This will create a shoulder seam.

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Easy Chiton Belt

Measure and Cut

Image Credit: Aliaksandra Ivanova / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages

Take your waist measurement. Cut a length of braided cord that is twice the length of your waist measurement.

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Add the Tassels

Hand stitch a tassel to each end of the rope. Add a dot of fabric glue over the stitches for extra support.

Tip

Slip the garment over your head, and tie the braided cord at the waist. A men’s chiton can be made by cutting the fabric to the knee. Men and women both wore decorative brooches with their chitons. Add cabochon cluster brooches to the shoulder seams to give the illusion of the garment being connected by jewelry. Use braided white rope for a simple, elegant look. Use green, blue, white or yellow for authentic DIY Greek chitons.

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