Halloween can be expensive especially for your toddler who wants to buy every costume in the store! So let’s get creative and make a costume your toddler will LOVE… This pillow case pumpkin costume can be made in one hour and cost less than $10.
You need an orange pillowcase, which you can steal from mom’s 1970’s linen closet, OR you can buy one at a big box retail store. Good news, the pillowcases I got we’re only $7.99 for a set of two! (I’m gonna use the other one to cover a throw pillow for the kid’s play room!)
You’ll also need 2 yards of green ribbon, 1 sheet of black felt (or sticky back felt), and liquid stitch or iron on adhesive backing.
To get started, at the open end of the pillowcase cut (2) 2” slits on the side where the pillowcase side seam is
This area is where you will thread the ribbon thru the hole and out the other side and will be the neck of the costume.
You can use a safety pin to help thread the ribbon thru… just don’t let go while you’re sliding the safety pin and ribbon around the pillowcase.
Synch the top and tie a bow.
Next, cut out a stencil drawing of eyes, nose and a mouth for your pumpkin face. It can be a traditional or funny as you want it to be. I use an old folder to make my stencils. Lay your stencils on the felt and cut them out.
Position your pumpkin face on the center of the pillowcase…
when you figure out how you like the placement of your stencils, use liquid stitch to glue the felt on…
OR cut out the same stencil pieces in adhesive backing and iron them on. The adhesive backing goes between the pillowcase and your felt but definitely read the directions on the backing for details on how to properly use!
Next, cut the very bottom of the pillowcase (the seam side where the pillow case is already sewn together) to create an opening for the legs.
Fold up the raw edge, iron flat and hem it using a liquid stitch, a sewing machine or needle and thread.
I like to add a few stitches to gather the lower left and right sides to create a curved look. If you are comfortable with a needle and thread you can run small stitches up and down each side (about 5”) and gather to create a ruche effect. OR, use a big safety pin to hold the gathers.
Cut armholes under the neckline about 4” in length to make an 8” hole… this makes it easy for the child to wear a warm sweatshirt underneath the costume for hours of trick or treating!
Getting dressed: Simply untie the top bow and open the neck so the child can step into the costume… once they are in tie the bow back at the neck and there you have it an easy, inexpensive, adorable pumpkin costume!
You can get creative with accessories and different types of hats, beanies, or even a tiara for the pumpkin princess! This cute costume fits 3-6 years old.
Special thanks to my model Willow!
