Project

Lobster Costume

A little lobster can clap his giant claws together or free his 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.

Photography: Janelle Jones

Source: Martha Stewart

Introduction

Note: This costume can be sized to fit a child of any age; only the claws and skirt require sewing. Because our costumes were assembled from household materials, they do not conform to all of the safety requirements that store-bought costumes do. Therefore, children wearing them should be supervised by an adult at all times. Make sure that the lobster skirt and claws fit properly so that your child won't trip with them. This lobster pairs well with our mermaid costume and octopus costume for an adorable undersea-inspired group ensemble.

For more ideas, scroll through our entire collection of Halloween costumes for kids.

materials

Lobster's Claw template

Red romper (Pictured: Romper in Box Unisex Solid Long-Sleeve Baby Bodysuit for 0-24 Months, in Red, $9.69, amazon.com.)

Red leggings (Pictured: Leveret Solid Baby Crawling Pants & Legging Set, in Red, $14 for 2, amazon.com.)

Red pilot cap (Pictured: Amoureux Bebe Super Soft Turkish 100-Percent Cotton Knit Baby Hat Bonnet, in Red, $10, amazon.com.)

Red felt

Red foam (Pictured: Foamies Sticky Back Foam Sheets, 9" x 12", $5.90 for 10, michaels.com.)

Ping-pong balls

2 red pipe cleaners

Four 1-inch-diameter red card stock disks

Black permanent marker

4 velcro dots

steps

For skirt, 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 claw template to cut 4 shapes from felt and 2 from foam. Cut slit in 2 felt shapes for hands to slide in as shown. Stack 1 foam, 1 slit felt, then 1 slitless felt shape; sew along edges with 1/4-inch seam allowance, leaving bottom open. Turn right side out; iron; repeat for other claw.
For eyes, cut pipe cleaners in half so you have 2 6-inch lengths. Poke a hole in each red cardstock disk with awl; push pipe cleaners through; loop at end; sandwich loop between disks; glue disks together. Poke two small holes into the cap using a pin. Push pipe cleaner through; glue cardstock disks to underside of cap. Draw dot on ping-pong ball. Poke hole; push pipe cleaner into hole. Repeat for other eye.