Harlequin Halloween Costume

Harlequin -- a centuries-old character from improvisational European theater -- is known for clownish behavior, acrobatics, and brightly colored clothes. Does that sound like anyone you know? This modern take makes a fun costume for spirited kids. An ordinary white button-down shirt, decorated with iron-on diamond shapes cut from colored satin, is the foundation of the outfit.

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Photo: GLEN GLASSER

Wear white tights and dance shorts under this costume. White gloves are optional. Use the template as a guide for applying the white face paint.

What You'll Need

Materials

  • Iron-on adhesive such as Heat 'n Bond
  • Polyester satin in assorted colors
  • Harlequin templates
  • White button-down shirt
  • Iron
  • White cotton fabric
  • Basic sewing supplies
  • White ribbon, 1/2-inch width, 2 yards
  • Satin ribbon in various colors
  • Ballet slippers
  • White duct tape

Instructions

  1. halloween costume how to harlequin

    For the shirt, make large and small diamonds: Following package instructions, fuse adhesive to wrong side of satin. Use diamond templates to trace shapes; cut out. Arrange diamonds to find a pattern you like on shirt. Iron in place.

  2. halloween costume how to harlequin

    For the bustle, hem edges of a 12-by-88-inch rectangle of white cotton fabric, sewing a 5/8-inch channel along one long side. Decorate with satin diamonds as described above. Use safety pin to thread ribbon through channel. Gather fabric together. Stitch a 12-inch piece of ribbon to each side of shirt. Tie ribbons on bustle to ribbons on shirt.

  3. harlequin-slippers-0814_vert

    For ballet slippers, cut four 30-inch lengths of satin ribbon (we used different colors). Use white duct tape to secure the ends into the insides of ballet slippers.

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