Project

Lobster Costume

Source: Martha Stewart

Introduction

This costume can be sized to fit a child of any age; only the claws and skirt require sewing. Lillian can clap her giant claws together or free her fingers to give a pinch through slits in the back of the felt mitts. Ping-pong-ball eyes bob on ends of pipe cleaners affixed to a cotton pilot's cap. A scalloped-edge skirt worn over a red snap-bottom T-shirt allows for freedom of movement.

materials

Kraft paper

1/2 yard red felt

2 pairs Velcro dots

1/4 yard polyurethane foam

Four 1-inch-diameter red cardboard disks

2 red pipe cleaners

Glue

A red pilot's cap

Black permanent marker

2 white ping-pong balls

Enlarged claw template

steps

For skirt, create kraft-paper template (for top width, measure waist, divide by 2; add 3-by-1 1/2-inch tab). Cut 2 felt shapes from template; sew together along sides with 1/4-inch seam allowance (on left side, stop below tab). Turn right side out and sew on Velcro tabs as shown; iron.
For claws, use enlarged claw template to cut 4 shapes from felt and 2 from foam. Cut slit in 2 felt shapes as shown. Stack 1 foam, 1 slit felt, then 1 slitless felt shape; sew along edges, leaving bottom open. Turn right side out; iron; repeat for other claw.
For eyes, poke a hole in each cardboard disk with pin; push pipe cleaners through; loop at end; sandwich loop between disks; glue disks together. Cut small hole on both top sides of cap. Push pipe cleaner through; glue disks to underside of cap. Draw dot on ping-pong ball. Poke hole on opposite side; push pipe cleaner into hole. Repeat for other eye.