Project

Woodland Creatures Family Costumes

Create woodland creatures costumes fit for the entire family this Halloween.

Source: Martha Stewart Kids, Fall 2005

Introduction

Earth-tone knit clothing is the foundation for our woodland creatures costumes. This DIY project will help the whole family look like an enchanted forest of walking, talking flora and fauna. The foliage on the sapling and big trees is made from felt and cotton fabric, floral wire, and floral tape to complete this earthy group costume.

materials

Iron ($60, bedbathandbeyond.com)

4-by-6-inch fusible web

Green felt

18-gauge wire

24-gauge floral wire

Scissors ($21, michaels.com)

Floral tape ($6, michaels.com)

Patterned cotton fabric

Fabric glue ($6.23, amazon.com)

Sewing kit

steps

To create a leaf, fuse a 4-by-6-inch fusible web and a piece of green felt together with the iron.
Center a length of the 24-gauge floral wire on the web; top with the patterned cotton fabric. Iron the layers together and then cut them into a leaf shape. Wrap the wire in the floral tape.
To create a branch, cut an 8- to 10-inch piece of the 18-gauge wire. Then wrap it in the floral tape, adding the leaves as you go. Next, attach the branches to the headband by wrapping the ends in place with the floral tape, using multiple layers for a woody look.
Each side of the hat (front and back) is made of two pieces of felt joined with the fusible web. Use cross-stitches to tack the hat together and to size it to the child's head at the bottom. Attach the felt spots with the fabric glue for the finishing touches.