Halloween will be here before you know it, and if you’re planning to make costumes, you know that the time to get started is NOW! This is the costume I made for my son last year: a carnival sideshow strong man. I lost track of how many compliments I received on this costume! It was incredibly easy to make, and by using items from the dollar store, like the t-shirt, I saved a bundle over a store bought costume.
Project estimate:
- Black T-shirt, $1
- Paint, on hand
- Styrofoam balls (2), $3
- Dowel rod, $1
Total: $5
Step one: Use a shirt that is large enough to go from the child’s shoulders to mid-thigh. Turn the shirt inside out. I used a one piece romper as a pattern, otherwise you can measure your child to determine where to cut. Cut as pictured.
Step two: Sew along the edges that you cut. I sewed it while the shirt was still inside out, then flipped it right side out for the next step.
Step three: Paint a buckle and belt onto the costume. I use washi tape or painters tape to help make straight lines. Let it dry.
Step four: Now to make the weight for muscle man to carry! First, carve out a small hole in each styrofoam ball, and push the dowel rod in. You can use a small amount of hot glue (not too much or you’ll melt the styrofoam) to hold the rod in place. Paint everything black.
I had added a tattoo sleeve, found at Dollar Tree, to the costume, but he did not keep that on. Draw on a loopy mustache, and your muscle man is ready for the carnival….I mean, Halloween! I live in South Texas, where it’s still pretty hot at Halloween, so during the day he wore the costume as is, and at night I just had to put a shirt underneath to keep him warm.
If you’re going as a group, you can add lots of side act characters to accompany your strong man. I went as the bearded lady, and my husband was a sword thrower. Who says Halloween is just for kids?
