Mari Gras or Fat Tuesday is always popular amongst adults and teens a like, even children! The festivities begin the night before Ash Wednesday that bring on the delicious delicatessens, the desserts, and the beautiful bright colored decorations and of course Mardi gras wouldn’t be festive without its gorgeous costumes and masks! Homemade Mardi gras costumes are simple, and cheap! With a few nifty items, and a creative mind you’ll be ready to celebrate in no time! This is also a great craft idea to do with the whole family! I’ll be discussing three colorful, creative costumes for a female, male, and a child (both boy and girl).
Some materials that will be needed are as followed: (Remember, you can purchase these items at your local Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, Wal-Mart or simply check-out your Top Dollar Party store, and any other crafts/party store.)
-Plain white masks (they come in packs of 3-4 at Michael’s)
-Feathers (Purple, Green, Gold)
-Mardi Grad Beads or Make your own by purchasing purple, green, gold pearl beads, and strong jewelry thread.
-E6000 (Very strong crafts glue! Highly recommend- you can find this at Hobby Lobby or Michael’s and sometimes-even Wal-Mart)
– Hot Glue Gun
-Rhinestones
– 2 Black Feather Boas
-Needle and Black Thread
-36 Inches of Purple, Green, Gold Tulle (Grab as many in length Depending on height of child)
– 2 Black Elastic Waist Band
-Purple/Green/Gold Spray Paint or Fabric Paint
-Black Corset (For Adult Female)
Ready to get started? I am! If kids will be doing these crafts as well make sure an adult is present at all times to help out, as well as to prevent any injuries using the materials. Remember safety first! Lets start off with making Mardi Gras Masks for the whole family! These masks come ready for you to wear! All you have to do is let your creative juices flow and decorate your mask using; feathers, rhinestones, paint, and glue! Done!
Next, for the female costume we will be creating a feather boa skirt, and a cute black corset top accompanied by a festive mask and Mardi gras beads! First things first, measure your waist with the black elastic waistband, once you have the correct measurements sew the ends together to form a circle, this will be the waistline for your skirt. Next, take one of the black feather boas and sew the end to the waistband of the skirt, let the boa hang, fold it upwards so the loop of the boa reaches the length you desire- sew this section of the boa to your skirt. Repeat this process; create a pattern like a zigzag, “S” pattern with the boa while sewing it into the skirt. Make sure you sew close together so there are no “peek-a-boo” holes. Voila! Your skirt is finished! NOTE: the skirt should be shorter than the final length you desire the boa skirt to be. The top of this costume will be a black corset accentuated with rhinestones, and feathers. At the brim of the corset near the top, place several dots of E6000 and place rhinestones in a desired pattern all along the top to create some shimmer and design. You can also add feathers if you wish. Once you are finished decorating your corset its time to put your costume together- the corset top and feather boa skirt will look dashing accompanied by your homemade mardi gras mask, and throw on some beads- this look would look great with fishnet stockings, black heels or even cute black converse shoes and bam! Finished!
For the Children’s Girl costume, you will need the second black elastic, measure the child’s waist, and sew the ends of the elastic together. We will be doing a NO-SEW tutu! Fun, and simple! Get your purple, green, and gold tulle and cut the tulles into strips, make the strips 6 inches wide and 12-18 inches long if this is for a baby or toddler, and about 36 inches for a teen/adult. Now, the fun part- folds one colored tulle strip in half over the waistband, tie the strip in a knot against the waistband. Repeat this step with the next colored tulle strip, alternating colors, making sure the knots are as close together as possible. Remember, the more tulle strips, the puffier the tutu! Once you’ve finished tying your tulle into a tutu, you will need a black t-shirt, you will be decorating this t-shirt along with your mask to tie in together your costume! After, you’ve completed all the necessary decorating, using spray paint, fabric paint, feathers, and rhinestones- its time to dress-up! Wear your purple, green, gold tutu, with your decorated black t-shirt, throw on some cute black knee high socks, with a pair of black converse, or dress shoes, and put on some beads, and wear your mask! Super cute!
The male adult costume it’s quite simple really, after creating your Mardi gras mask, all you’ll need is black pants, a black shirt. These items can easily be found in your closet. All you have to do is decorate your black t-shirt with patterns, and designs using the spray paint, or even fabric paint. This is a great, fun, and creative way to jazz up a plain old black tee! And, tada! Your costume is also complete, to tie in the mardi gras theme, throw on some beads, guy-ify your mardi gras mask, and sport your attire with some black converse, or even black dress shoes- which ever deem more comfortable for your partying!
For the Boys child costume, simply throw together black pants, and a purple or gold, or green t-shirt! Decorate the tee shirt using gold, silver and black fabric paint of spray paint. Make sure an adult is they’re helping the youngster as well! Once you have finished decorating your t-shirt put together your outfit by sporting your black pants, black converse or dress shoes, and your decorated purple, or green, or gold t-shirt along with your decorated mardi gras mask, and some beads!
This family themed costumes will be a HUGE hit, whether you’re out for a family evening, a party or even simply a get together in the backyard! You and your kids will have a great time putting these costumes together, and decorating! A party isn’t a party, without a little creativity, and some glue! Have fun, be responsible, and stay creative!
References:
www.michaels.com (Retrieved on January 30,2012).
www.hobbylobby.com (Retrieved on January 30,2012).
www.TopDollarParty.com (Retrieved on January 30,2012).
