DIY Mummy costume

Costumes can be really expensive!

Geez.  But, they don’t always need to be; sometimes you can do something homemade and it’s even better than it would have been store-bought.  This costume is Levi’s from last year when he wanted to be a mummy. We thought it would be fun to bring back the tutorial this year!  And just in case you need a reminder…a Halloween mummy costume doesn’t need to be purchased; it is absolutely easy enough to make!

We have a few more ideas at the end of the post for fast DIY costumes and would love to hear YOUR ideas! And if you don’t have time to MAKE a mummy costume, here are some ready to buy options…

Yes, this costume is easy. You’ve probably figured out most of the steps just by looking at the picture.  But in case you are one of those people who wants detailed instructions, I’m going to lay them out for you.  Because there’s actually one little trick in this process that will take your mummy costume from mediocre to awesome, and unless you’re super crafty, it isn’t obvious.  So don’t feel badly for needing a tutorial to tell you how to make this costume!

Supplies:

• white sheet
• optional-scissors (but it sure makes it easier!)
• 0ptional-coffee water (leftover from my perfect latte. Yes, it was perfect. yum!)

To Make your Mummy Costume:

1. Rip the sheet into strips, and I really do mean rip it. You can start the rip with scissors. But then…rip. You want the strips all jaggedy and stringy….achieved only with ripping.  The strips work best about 3 inches wide, but that’s not a hard-and-fast rule.Steps 2 and 3 are purely optional, older kids like this extra touch but your child may not care to go through the trouble. Both ways are fine.
2. Soak strips in coffee water until desired color. Levi didn’t want bright and shiny white sheets, he wanted them slightly used looking. I would have liked to soak them longer, but he nixed that. We soaked ours for about an hour. (I’d suggest closer to 2)
3. Rinse and dry. The best part is that by soaking and rinsing and drying they lose their “newness” . Perfect!
4. Wrap the strips around the child. I recommend the child be wearing white, if possible. Tie one strip to the next to the next to the next (etc…) as you go. Leave bits out here, and don’t be perfect!! And…perhaps…if you are a nice mom…do the strips in such a way that the bottom half can be removed if necessary and rewrapped (like in the case of needing the bathroom??). I may skip this kindness :). Being honest here, people.
5. Whiten the skin a bit with some face paint, powder, or skip this if you like.

p.s. This costume cost me the price of the fitted sheet of a clearance set. $6.00. winner!

Now you know how to create the Awesomest Homemade Mummy costume you ever did see. Halloween this year you will be the momma with the skillzz!

Note: If you have young children and you are concerned about the bathroom thing try using a bit of fabric glue, hot glue, or safety pins to attach your strips to a pair of white jogging paints and shirt; it won’t have the exact same look but it will still be adorable and suitable for young children!

More great Halloween fun:

Candy Corn Fruit Cups
Candy Corn Punch
Bat Costume
Creepy Mantle
Pumpkin Tipsy Topiary
Gingersnap Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin Better-Than-Sex Cake 

FAST, EASY, HOMEMADE COSTUME IDEAS:

• Artist: put a few dabs of paint on a piece of circle shaped cardboard, dress them erratically, and give them a paint brush.
• Politician: put on their best clothes (suits are best!), give them some brochures, and have them ask for votes.
• Baker: put on an apron, throw a bit of flour and cocoa on it, and give them a pan of “cupcakes” to carry with them.
• Mad Scientist: suspenders and plaid shirt is best, crazy hair (possibly colored white?), eye goggles, and a clipboard.
• Rock Star: sunglasses, jeans & a raggy shirt, and a fake instrument (preferably guitar!)
• Paparazzi: casual clothes, a camera, they need to use that camera (with the flash on!) A LOT!