COSTUME
COSTUM
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MAKING
MAKING
Illustrated Notes for Costume Making
© Crafted by The Customs House
© Crafted by The Customs House
COSTUME
MAKING
Costume Making
Schools often have plenty to celebrate and performances are a regular part of the school calendar.
With this in mind, The Custom’s House Cultural Development Team have created this resource
pack in partnership with South Tyneside Council, Sandy Harris and Shoofly Publishing, to support
teachers who would like to add extra colour to their celebrations!
Before we begin let’s look at ‘Sandy’s top tips’
• Keep costume-making simple.
• Use fabrics that reflect light (e.g. satin).
• Remember, ‘Many hands make light work’, so involve families when making the costumes.
• Shop around for bargains – ‘Poundshops’ and ‘The Works’ are great for double-sided • South Shields Saturday market is fantastic for cheap fabrics and trimmings.
• ‘Dainty Supplies’ in Crowther Industrial Estate in Washington is slightly more expensive, • Buy inexpensive t-shirts or customise existing t-shirts as a basis for costumes. Stencil on
patterns and add ‘sparkle’ with glitter, sequins and ribbons to transform t-shirts into wonderful costumes.
tape, glue, scissors and jolly-sparkly things like sequins and glitter paint.
but great for specialist fabrics like Lycra.
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Let’s begin with summer…
Every year South Tyneside Council (like many other local authorities across the UK) organise
summer events. In South Tyneside, it’s the Summer Parade to which all local schools are invited to
take part. In the summer of 2012, the theme celebrated the ‘Olympics’ and Sandy Harris, Costume
Designer, was asked to deliver a ‘beginners costume making’ session based on this theme. The
teachers from local schools who attended had a wonderful time making beautiful flags that could be
carried or worn as part of a costume.
You can see the outcomes created by the teacher in the image files … they are pretty spectacular
we think!
Although the theme of the workshop was the ‘Olympics’, the skills and techniques the teachers
learnt are transferable to other celebrations and performances.
Getting started with the basics…
MAKING T-SHIRTS
T-shirts are a good, cost effective way of making a basic costume. t-shirts can be bought cheaply
from the Internet or you can use second hand t-shirts from charity shops. You can layer t-shirts by
using different sizes and colours or cut into them to change their shape.
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Dyes
Cold water dyes are perfect for experimenting with tie-dying. You can buy cold-water dyes in your
local hardware store or online.
Natural dyes:
If you want to be REALLY adventurous then try making your own dye using plants. Children can
learn that, in the past before there were chemical dyes, people had to make natural dyes from plants.
Working with natural dyes can lead to creating a programme of study combining science, art and
history. This might be useful if children are studying the Anglo Saxons, when wool was dyed using
plants that could be found locally in the countryside.
The following ‘dye’ plants can be grown in the school garden:
• Weld (pale yellow/green)
• Woad (blue)
• Coreopsis (strong yellow/orange)
• Madder (red/orange)
You can purchase all of the above dyes online at www.dyeing-crafts.co.uk
Tie-dying
Tie-dying is a simple and effective way of transforming old t-shirts and the technique can also be
used to transform large pieces of fabric for cloaks, flags etc.
There are lots of step-by-step workshops and videos on Youtube that demonstrate a variety of tiedying processes.
Here is one simple way of doing tie-dye:
• Begin by twisting the t-shirt. Tie the t-shirt in various places using string, knots or elastic • You can use elastic bands wrapped around stones or objects to make beautiful circle • Mix up a batch of coldwater dye and soak the t-shirt. Leave it to dry then untie the knots.
• Repeat the tie-dying process with more colours.
bands. You can start by doing this randomly and then once you have seen what happens when you untie the t-shirt, you will have a better idea of the patterns you can create.
patterns.
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This method will work with restricted colour palettes, such as various shades of green. Using a
range of greens and browns would create a camouflage effect.
These t-shirts could be used as a basic costume for children as ‘trees’ or ‘woodland creatures’.
A more vibrant colour palette would create a great starting point to create exotic bird costumes.
Stencil Printing
T-shirts can be transformed by printing in a few quick and easy stages by using stencils:
The technique of stencilling is where an area of the fabric is masked out so that it does not take the
colour that is being painted or sprayed onto the fabric.
Children can make simple stencils out of paper:
1. Begin by drawing the shape that you want on your t-shirt onto paper.
Cut out the shape. You will be left with a piece of paper with the shape cut out of it.
2. Spray the paper with ‘spray mount’ and position it onto the t-shirt.
3. Once the stencil is fixed in place then you can paint inside the shape. Alternatively you can use
spray paint (be careful to mask off the areas that you don’t want the spray to land on.)
Allow the paint to dry and then peel off the paper.
4. If you would like simple stripes and geometric grids then use masking tape. This is very effective
as a ‘mask’ for the painting zebra and tiger stripes.
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Splatter painting
Splatter painting is really simple and children really enjoy it. This technique can be used on colourful,
abstract costumes for a circus or pageant.
Dip old toothbrushes into paint and flick the toothbrush with your finger.
Splatter painting is very effective when combined with stencils.
Printing with natural objects
You can create simple patterns by cutting out pieces of potato and then use to print on the t-shirts.
As well as potatoes try using other fruit to print with, such as apples and peppers.
In Autumn you can use leaves to make prints.
Don’t forget, you can also use your hands and feet.
These techniques can be used for cultural celebrations, such as Harvest Festival and Halloween or
to celebrate other countries such as Africa and South America.
Printing with recycled objects
Try printing using disposable coffee cups and their lids to create circles of various sizes.
Polystyrene packaging is great for printing and often comes unusual shapes.
Use coffee stirrers dipped in paint to create straight lines.
The ends of cotton reels can be used to make circles to create ‘Polka Dot’ patterns for ‘Children in
Need’ events.
Low relief printing
Make simple block prints by starting off with a piece of card and then gluing on additional bits of card
or objects such as the lids of coffee cups and jars. (Make sure all the objects are the same ‘height’
from the background card or you won’t get an even print.)
Use a roller or carefully paint the card that is ‘standing proud’ of the background.
Place the ‘block’ carefully onto the t-short and then use a roller of press down hard.
Low relief printing can be used to create a ‘mechanical’ feel to costumes and used to create robots
or machines.
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Mono-Printing
Mono-printing is a very easy technique for children to use and every t-shirt will be different!
• Use inks or paint and paint directly onto a smooth washable surface.
• Draw directly into the surface with a stick or piece of card.
• Make a piece of card to fit inside the t-shirt (this will stop the ink from coming onto the
• Press the t-shirt onto the inked surface.
• Remove carefully and then leave to dry.
back of the shirt).
Children can use this technique to make personalised t-shirts e.g. their favourite animal.
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MAKING FLAGS
Flags are a wonderful way of bringing your parade or performance to life. They can be waved around
on stage or carried in a procession.
Look in the Image Bank to see the flags created as part of the ‘Summer Parade’ workshop.
You will see that the flags can also be used slotted into special back-packs created by Sandy and
Garner (workshop leaders). You can hire the backpacks by contacting Sandy on the number listed
at the end of this resource.
To create your own flags you will need:
• Fabric
• Double-sided sticky tape
• Telescopic pole
• Sequins, glitter, fabric and paint to decorate
Follow the instructions:
1. Cut a piece of fabric into the flag length and shape that you need.
2. Make a ‘hem’ at one edge of the flag shape by folding the fabric and attaching with double-sided
sticky tape. The hem should be wide enough to slot the flagpole through.
3. Decorate the flag with fringes of fabric etc.
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You can buy 1 x 3 metre telescopic pole for £3.99 plus postage from:
www.windcreations.co.uk
Tel. 01296 481113
Specialist fabrics and Haberdashery can be purchased locally from:
Dainty Supplies
32 Phoenix Road
Washington
NE38 0AD
Tel. 0191 416 7886
You can also buy bright coloured satin fabric at £2.50 per metre from South Shields Market (Mondays
and Saturdays).
Contact Sandy and Garner to hire the ‘backpacks’ that carry the flags.
Sandy (costume) tel. 07920107479
Garner (dance) tel. 07725267478
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MAKING ANGEL
You will need to borrow a backpack that will hold a number of flagpoles (see Sandy and Garner
contact details).
1. Cut a large white feather shape in white or silver silk fabric.
2. Make a hem along one side (to slot the flagpole through).
3. Decorate with sparkling silver sequins and silver fringing.
4. Make enough flags to look like spread out Angel wings.
5. Attach to the backpack.
6. Decorate a while, long-sleeved t-shirt with feather prints, stars and sequins.
7. Make a simple crown of white feathers or branches of berries.
8. Attach ‘feather poles’ to backpack.
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MAKING HEADDRESSES
Headdresses add another exciting dimension to
costume. You can view examples in the Image Bank.
Simple headdresses can be made by attaching flowers
and feathers to strips of fabric.
Alternatively you can make a headband (or use a readymade headband) and use strong glue (or fabric glue
if you are working with fabric) to attach feathers and
plastic, fabric or paper flowers.
Also look in Charity shops for hats and adapt by adding
flowers and feathers. You can even spray woven hats
a different colour and bend them into more unusual
shapes.
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Winter Costume Workshop
Christmas is a wonderful opportunity to put on your own show. Here are some of the ideas from
Sandy and Garner’s Winter Costume Workshop. The Snow Queen costume can be adapted in
different colours to create a wide variety of characters.
Snow Queen Costume
Crown
To make a crown you will need:
• A selection of cheap Christmas baubles and icicles
• Electrician’s tape
• A garland / a length of tinsel
• Wire
Follow the instructions:
1. Begin by making the wire band for the hair. Twist some wire back on itself to make a
2. Take the baubles / icicles / tree decorations and attach them to the crown using
3. If there are any wires sticking out below the crown shape then cut off using wire cutters
4. Once you have all of the ‘points of the crown’ in place then twist the garland around the 5. Tie on ribbons to each end of the crown. This will ensure that the crown fits and stays in three-quarter crown shape.
electrician’s tape (it is much stronger than selloptape or masking tape).
or bend back and cover with tape.
crown to cover the taped wire framework.
place.
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This type of crown can be used to create headdresses for other characters.
Woodland folk
Use lengths of imitation fir tree with fir cones
Red Indians (Peter Pan)
Attach coloured feathers
Maharaja
Make a cluster of the decorations at the front and wrap the crown with gold or silver ribbon
Country girl– attach imitation flowers and wrap the crown with coloured ribbons.
Snowflake Hair
You could attach paper snowflakes to the crown on threads. These will move in the air as the
character walks around.
Cut out paper snowflakes and attach each flake to different lengths of thread or a strand of thin foil
decoration (lametta – tinsel shreds). Use hairgrips to pin the snowflakes into the hair or attach to the
crown.
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Snow Queen Cloak
You will need:
• A rectangle of shiny white fabric
• A length of ribbon
• Double sided sticky tape
• Scissors
The cloak will be gathered around the neck so make sure there is enough fabric to wrap around the
child or adult.
1. Cut the fabric to the length you want allowing for a ruffle or collar. Run a length of double 2. To make the collar, fold the fabric over onto itself and cut slits into the edge.
3. If you want to make the collar stand up then use strips of sticky tape and pleat the fabric.
4. Thread the ribbon through the slits and pull to gather the fabric together.
5. Decorate the cloak with strips of fabric or lametta (tinsel shreds).
sided tape around each ‘closing’ edge of the cloak. Fold the fabric over onto the tape to make a hem (also this wherever you want a clean edge or where you would like to
insert any ‘stiffener’ such as card strips, wire or lengths of rod.)
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This type of cloak can be used to create costumes for other characters such as:
Clown
Add stars and circles of different sizes and colour. Cut slits in the sides of the cloak to put hands
through.
Angel
Cut the bottom edge of the cloak into a half circle curve and cut in feather shapes and attach
feathers with thread so that they can float when the child walks. Slot rods into the hems to stiffen the
wings the child can wave these around to good effect.
Bird
As for angel but use lots of bright colours. Add additional feather shapes in coloured fabric using
double-sided tape. Only attach the feathers at one end so that there is some movement.
Magician / Wizard / Witch
Add stars and moons in coloured fabric. Add rods so that the magician can ‘sweep’ around in his
cloak. Stiffen the collar so that it stands up.
Wise man
Add lots of rich details – such as strips of gold fabric.
King
As above and add fake fur around the edges.
Stencil Printing
Consider stencilling shapes onto the cloak. The children can do this themselves and have great fun.
Create large stencil snowflakes / other shapes using paper and use spray mount into position the
negative of the shape onto the cloak.
Spray or paint over the stencil.
Leave to dry and then peel of the stencil shape.
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Fairy Wings
To make a set of wings you will need:
• 4 coat hangers
• Wire cutters
• Electrician’s tape
• Tights or nylon pop socks
Follow the instructions:
1. Cut the top off the coat hangers and stretch out flat. Bend all four wires into the same 2. Pinch two of the wing shapes to make the bottom wing.
3. Cut a leg of the tights and stretch over the wing shape. Tie a small knot where the toe 4. Secure the tight to the end of the wing using tape. Don’t worry if the tight gets a hole or 5. Take a top and a bottom wing and join together using electrician’s tape.
6. Join both sets of wings together and decorate.
7. Tie two long ribbons onto where the wings join. The ribbons will hold the wings firmly in shape.
sticks out.
ladder as you can use glue to stop it getting bigger.
place.
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You can use this method to create wings for a range of creatures and objects. You could use stripy,
coloured or patterned tights to create characters such as:
Flowers
Make individual petals and join together to make large flowers.
Bees / insects
Add shapes such as spots / use stripy or patterned tights
Bird
Add coloured feathers
Angel
Add white feathers
A few other ideas:
Snowflake Costume
• White tea shirts could be printed with grey snowflakes. Alternatively use black or blue
t-shirts and print with white snowflakes.
• Make snowflake stencils out of paper and then use spray mount to fix them into place before
• Attach cut out snowflakes from white or silver paper onto strong silver or white thread.
• Sew the ‘snowflake’ threads around the bottom of the t-shirt.
• Make a snowflake crown and attach small snowflakes on threads to hang down over the
spraying or painting.
hair.
Elf Costume
• Begin with a green t-shirt.
• Print with leaves in brown and yellow paint and / or tie-dye with green and brown colours.
• Make a lovely large ‘leaf’ flag for the elf to carry (refer to flag-making section).
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• Cut a piece of green material into a large simple leaf shape.
• Make a hem on one curved side of the leaf (to slot the flagpole through).
• Decorate the leaf with printed patterns and / or draw on leaf veins
Alternatively make leaves using the ‘tights’ method above.
For a very realistic effect use a real branch from a tree and add large paper leaves.
Hurrah it’s Panto Time!
Pantomime is a wonderful subject to explore as part of a programme of learning leading up to
Christmas. You can download this fabulous resource ‘Pantomime’ from the ch-arted website.
This resource supports children in creating their own pantomime and includes lots of background
information about the history of pantomime and its traditions as well as Activity Sheets for costune
design and make-up.
Children can also use ‘Panto Maker’ software, using characters, backgrounds and objects from
previous Custom House pantomimes to learn about sequencing ‘scenes’ and writing their own
scripts.
Panto Dame costume
To make a pantomime dame costume, you need a bright and floral material – the more OUTRAGEOUS
the better! The costume comprises of big puffed sleeves, a dress with a hoop, a belt with a large
matching hat and bloomers.
Fabrics
You should try and use very bright coloured poly-cottons in hot, bright colours that can be plain or
patterned. Buy sticky-backed velcro to use for fastenings.
Hooped skirt
Make ‘channels’ wide enough to take the foam used to insulate pipes, as this is soft, light and yet
gives the tip up skirt that you probably want when she’s bending over.
Buy it as a single length by the metre lengths.
Try to exaggerate the dame’s shape. If the child is tall then use vertical stripes and a long narrow
dress, if they are short and cuddly, then use horizontal stripes and a short, hooped skirt with bloomers
underneath.
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Stripy socks
Use knee length socks or tights.
Silly shoes
Decorate sandshoes or slippers with 3-D fabric paints and sequins.
Big hats
You can make a simple mop cap by cutting out a large circle of fabric and make a gathering thread
in another smaller circle. Pad with wadding so that it keeps it’s ‘over-the-top shape.
Adapt hats from charity shops by spraying different colours and add imitation birds and flowers.
Wig
Top it all off with the most outrageous wig you can find!
Finally, add ‘over-the-top accessories such as huge earrings and other jewellery.
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ENJOY!
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