In-house crafter Aaron Caramanis created this homemade octopus costume, a fun Halloween idea for children or adults. For a spooky alternative, try our spider costume variation.

Tools and Materials
Octopus costume pattern
Fabric pencil or chalk
1 1/2 yards teal fabric*
1 yard polka-dot fabric (for lining)*
1 package white iron-on patches
1 package navy-blue iron-on patches
Scissors
Straight pins
Sewing machine
Coordinating thread
Polyester stuffing
Chopsticks
2 yards teal double-fold extra-wide bias tape ribbon
Needle and thread for basting

*Yardage given is for a child's costume. More fabric may be required for adult costume; measure enlarged pattern and lengthened tentacles before purchasing fabric.

Octopus Costume How-To
1. Print octopus costume pattern, enlarging to desired size. Trace and cut pieces from fabric as instructed in the pattern. Be sure to place the pattern for the back piece on folded fabric, lining up one edge with the fold, as indicated.

2. Place pupils in place on whites of eyes. Iron each eye onto the right sides of the outer hood (head) pieces.

3. Pin together two sides of the outer hood (head), right sides facing, and sew along outer edge with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Clip into seam allowance with sharp scissors all around the curves, being careful not to cut into the seam. Turn outer hood right side out and press seam open.

4. Repeat Step 3 with the inner hood pieces. Pin raw edges of inner hood to raw edges of outer hood, right sides facing, and sew with a 1/4-inch seam allowance along hood edges, leaving the bottom (neckline) open. Turn right side out and press, then edge-stitch along seam with a decorative stitch.

5. The cape portion of the costume is made from three pieces sewn together along the shoulder seams. Unfold the back piece cut from the outer (teal) fabric. Pin the straight edge of each front piece to each straight edge on the back piece. Sew along these edges with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Press seams. Repeat for the front and back pieces cut from the inner (polka-dot) fabric.

6. Place the sewn cape pieces on top of each other, right sides facing. Sew along edges and around tentacles with a 1/4-inch seam allowance, leaving neck open. Turn right side out and press.

7. Stuff the head and cape pieces with polyester stuffing, using chopsticks to push stuffing down into the tentacles.

8. Pin and baste raw edges of the hood neckline and body (cape) neckline together on what will be the inside of the costume. Center length of bias tape along neckline, fold open end of tape over raw edges, and baste in place. Beginning at one end of bias tape, machine-sew open end together along edge, continuing along neckline and through to other end of bias tape. Remove basting stitches.

Resources
The Singer Simple 23-Stitch Sewing Machine 2263 is available at walmart.com. Other tools and materials available at crafts stores.