Make a Tinkerbell Costume

Want to make all of your child's dreams come true, even if it's just dress up fun? Or maybe you'd like to dress up for a costume party yourself! Tinkerbell costumes are cute, simple, and fun for all ages. See Step 1 below to make one for yourself!

Steps

The Dress

  1. Start with the bodice. Grab a one-piece swimsuit that fits the wearer and model it after that. Make a pattern by folding the swimsuit in half lengthwise to trace the front piece and then again for the back piece.
    • Cut out your front and back pieces out of something lime green and stretchy. Sew the front and back pieces together along the sides and bottom, with right sides together.
    • Turn under the raw edges of the leg holes and use a zig-zag stitch to allow for stretch. Then turn under the arm sections, and the top front and top back sections.
  2. Create your flutter sleeves. You'll need them at least 3 inches wide and 10 inches long -- about double the measurement of the arm. You'll need extra material for gathering. They look like half circles with the top and bottom squared.
    • Make a casing for the elastic by turning under the long straight edge, about a half inch. Then thread a piece of narrow elastic (to the length of the arm) through the casing.
    • Then sew the elastic along one end of the casing to secure in place, pull the elastic the rest of the way through, and sew along the other end of the casing to secure the other end of the elastic.
    • Pin in place and sew several times along the front and back corners of the costume. Repeat with the other shoulder.
  3. Begin working on the skirt. Measure the waist of the wearer and cut a length of material that's about twice as long -- you'll need the extra material for gathering. The length is up to you.
    • Cut triangle cuts out of the bottom of this piece of material. Sew the shorts ends together, to create a tube, one step closer to a skirt shape.
    • Create a casing in the same manner that you did for the sleeves and insert the elastic.
    • You may or may not have to hem the edges, depending on your fabric. If it doesn't fray, you're all set! If it does, take 1/2" (1.25 cm) and make a seam all along the edge.
  4. Add some trimming to the skirt's top edge. Do this only if you're worried about where the two pieces meet. Be careful if you are sewing on top of the elastic to stretch it as you go. Then if you let go, it will stretch back into place and will ruffle up your trimming a little bit more. Otherwise, if you don’t pull the elastic, you will sew your elastic in place and restrict its elasticity.
    • A thin length of ruffle can be bought at any fabric store very cheaply. For Tink, go for white or green.

The Tutu

  1. Cut four 2″ x 4 yd (5 cm by 365 cm) strips from the length of your tulle. This should leave you with four really thin strips and one larger section.
    • Fold the large piece of tulle in half the long way and then in half the long way again.
    • Pin along the folded edge of the tulle about 1.5 inches from the fold.
  2. Start sewing. Sew a straight seam 1″ from the fold along the entire {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} length removing pins as you go. You may want to hold the fabric taut front to back so it doesn’t gather as it runs under the foot. If it bunches a bit, it’s ok.
    • You will have 2 single layers and 1 double (looped) layer of skirt. Separate the top (single) layer of skirt from the rest and line up the foot of your machine 1″ from the bottom edge. Lay one of the 2″ strips of tulle on top, aligned with the bottom edge of the skirt. Sew down the middle of the strip, pinching the strip to gather as you sew through it and through the skirt. You will use 2 of the 2″ x {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} strips to complete one ruffle along the entire length.
    • Now lay your third 2″ x {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} strip centered 3″ from the bottom hem, so the 2 ruffles will touch slightly. Sew down the middle of the strip, pinching the strip to gather as you sew through it and through the skirt. You will also use two 2″ x {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} strips to complete the second ruffle along the entire length.
  3. Break out the elastic. Run it through the waistband just inside the single back layer of tulle. The 3 layers on the front of the waistband will help hide the elastic.
    • Be sure to pin the end of your elastic in place. If your elastic is not stiff enough to push through the tulle, you can attach a safety pin to the end of the elastic to help pull it through.
    • When you string it all the way through, pull the elastic out an inch or two and pin in place.
  4. Put on the finishing touches. Overlap your elastic (to the desired waist measurement) and sew through both pieces of elastic several times. Tuck the elastic ends into the waistband and evenly distribute your gathered waistband.
    • If your bottom “hem” is uneven, you may want to trim the underlying tulle layers (but only if it bothers you).
    • Sew on any embellishments you like. These may or may not be seen, since the tutu goes under the skirt.

The Wings

  1. Bend four wire hangers. Tinkerbell has two rounded wings and two pointy wings. Though, of course, you can bend them however you want -- whatever is easiest for you.
    • For the round wings, open up the hangers. Twist the two together and cut off the excess leaving about two inches (5 cm) of wire near the top bend. That part will be how they attach together, underneath the top set of wings.
    • For the pointy wings, just cut off the tops of the hangers and stretch the bottoms out. They'll look like diamonds.
  2. Pull nylons over all four hangers. Cut off the thighs, basically using knee highs. Stretch it tight, with all the extra material bunched around the tips of the wires.
    • Cover the pokey edges with duct tape. Doesn't matter the color; this part will eventually not be seen.
    • Arrange your wings together. The four duct-taped points should be so you can hold all of them in your hand. The round wings should go below the pointy wings.
    • Tape the four points together. It's basically a handle at this juncture.
  3. Grab your spray paint. Tinkerbell has blue wings, but you can use whatever color you like. Lay down newspaper and get into a well-ventilated area.
    • You may want to concentrate the paint on the tips and edges for a natural, fading look.
  4. Smear on some glitter glue. You can either create designs or spread it around with a foam brush. Don't spread it evenly -- it will look better if it's concentrated on the edges and points. Use blue or silver for best results.
    • Hang it to dry -- after all, they're wet on both sides!
  5. Cut a length of elastic twice the width of the chest. Sew it together at the ends in a flat loop. This will be how the wings stay on the torso.
    • Hot glue the loop in the center of your wings on the side that will be facing the back.
    • Then wrap another piece of fabric (either sprayed nylon or dress fabric) around the center piece, hiding all of the duct tape. Hot glue it into place. You may want to add some glitter to this bit, too.

Putting It All Together

  1. Put on the costume. The wings should go on before the dress and the tutu slightly under the natural waistline. Grab a pair of light-colored, simple ballet flats to round out the look.
  2. Grab a wooden chopstick or wooden spoon for a wand. You might consider using the blue spray paint and some glitter on the spoon too. Of course, you can always buy a wand at the store in the Halloween costumes section or toy aisles, but where's the fun in that?
    • If you're using a chopstick, cut out two cardboard stars, spray with paint and glitter, and attach them to the end of the wand. Use some ribbon or sequin along the length of the wand if you desire.
  3. Pull your hair up into a high ponytail. Wrap your hair around your ponytail holder to create a bun and use bobby pins or another hair tie to hold it in place.
    • Pull the fringe of your hair out of the bun gently to create a "messy" look. Considering using thin to medium green ribbon to tie a small bow around the whole thing.
  4. Complete the look. Use a light, shimmery foundation to emulate Tink's flawless skin. Add green or purple eyeshadow, black mascara and black eyeliner for dramatic eyes if Tink is old enough for makeup!
    • For a more subtle, earthy look, tone it down a bit and use a shimmery silver eyeshadow and brown mascara and eyeliner. Don't forget the peach blush and light, glimmering pink lip gloss!



Tips

  • If sewing isn't your thing, you can always grab a simple green dress and cut tatters on the edge. Hit up the thrift shops -- you don't want to spend a ton of money on a dress you're ultimately cutting up.
  • Although Tinkerbell doesn't usually wear tights, you may want to. Choosing white, silver, pale pink, or nude tights or hose will definitely compliment the overall look.
  • Tinkerbell is a pretty dainty, petite character, so you should avoid large belts and heavy jewellery that will detract from this look. Thin necklaces, small earrings, and slim bracelets will do if you really want to add accents.

Things You'll Need

The Dress

  • Green fabric
  • Swimsuit (for pattern)
  • Scissors
  • Sewing machine
  • Pins
  • Measuring tape
  • Elastic
  • Trimming (optional)

The Tutu

  • {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of tulle
  • Pins
  • Elastic
  • Sewing machine
  • Ribbon (optional)

The Wings

  • Four hangers
  • Two pairs of nylons
  • Hot glue
  • Duct tape
  • Glitter
  • Spray Paint

Putting It All Together

  • Wand material (cardboard and ribbon, if desired)
  • Make-up
  • Hair tie
  • Ballet flats

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Sources and Citations

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