Woodland Fairy Costume

What to conjure up for your little one's Halloween costume? Well, Laura Bray and her daughter, Olivia, decided to create an mystical woodland fairy for the night of enchantment and otherworldy spirits. Together they came up with the idea of tearing strips of fabric and dyeing them all different colors to make a colorful, yet tattered, woodland skirt.  This woodland fairy is sure to cast a  spell on those she meets.  The costume is easy to make, and the best part?  It’s no-sew!   After Halloween, it can be used as a dress-up play costume.  

Laura Bray is a professional craft designer and lifestyle expert.  Come see more of her creative adventures on her blog, KatyDiddys. You love how she how she brings creativity and a nostalgic touch to her roles as a wife, mother and crafter.

Here's the tutorial...

SUPPLIES:

• Rit Liquid Dye:  Apple Green, Teal, Purple, Tangerine
• White, 100% Cotton T-Shirt (in your child’s size)
• White, 100% Cotton Leggings (in your child’s size)
• 1 yd. White 100% Cotton Fabric
• Wood Twig or dowel rod, approximately 24” in length
• Assorted selection of Silk Flowers, Silk Leaves, and Faux Butterflies 
• Floral Wire
• Fabric Marking Pen
• Dyeing Supplies:  Measuring spoons & measuring cups, spoon, 4 (12 oz.) plastic cups, 8-cup plastic bowl, rubber gloves, paper towels, plastic wrap, plastic table cover

INSTRUCTIONS:

To Dye the T-Shirt & Leggings

1. For best results, prewash T-shirt and leggings to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.

2. Cover your work surface with plastic table covering.

3. Wearing rubber gloves, shake dye bottle and measure ½ cup Apple Green dye.  Pour into 8-cup plastic bowl (large enough to hold T-shirt and leggings).  Add  4 cups of very hot water (at least 140º F); stir well.  Note:  If tap water is not hot enough, heat water in a tea kettle or in the microwave.  

4.  Wet the T-shirt and leggings in warm water.  Squeeze out excess water.  Scrunch them into balls and place in the dye bath, making sure they are completely covered by the dye solution.  This will create a mottled effect.  Allow them to soak for 20 minutes. 

5. Remove T-shirt and leggings from dye bath.  Rinse in cool water until water runs clear.  Warm in warm water with mild detergent; rinse and hang to dry.  

To Dye the Fabric Strips:

1. Prewash and dry fabric to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.

2. Tear fabric into 40 to 50 1” x 36” strips.  Be messy, a rough look is best.  After all, your Woodland Fairy has been running around in the woods, snagging her skirt!

3. Set out 4 large, plastic drinking cups.  Shake dye bottles.  Wearing rubber gloves,  measure 2 Tablespoons of dye and fill each cup with one of the following colors: Apple Green, Teal, Purple and Tangerine.  Add 1 cup very hot water (140° F) water; stir well.

4. Wet the strips in warm water; squeeze out excess water. Divide strips equally among all four cups of dye.  You want to get an equal number of strips for each color.  Immerse strips in dye and let soak for 20 minutes.

5. Remove strips from dye and rinse in cool water until water runs clear.  Wash in warm water with mild detergent; rinse and hang to dry. 

Constructing the Costume:

The base of the costume is the T-shirt and leggings.  After dyeing, they have a marbled, sun-dappled, “forest-floor” look.

 Constructing the Skirt

From the dyed strips of fabric, set aside: 

• 2 Apple Green strips
• 2 Teal strips
• 1 Purple strip
• 1 Tangerine strip

1. Measure your child’s waist and add 6-10 inches.  Using the Apple Green strips, tie two together to get a strip the length of your child’s waist measurement. This will serve as the waistband of the skirt.

2. Fold the waistband in half and make a small mark with a fabric marker to indicate the middle of the strip.  Starting at the middle, tie one Apple Green strip to the waistband, using a slip knot.  Then tie Tangerine strips to either side of the green strip.  Then tie Purple strips next to the Tangerine strips.  Then tie Teal strips, next to the Purple strips.   

3. Continue tying strips and alternating colors, working from the middle outwards until you use all your strips except for the ones you reserved.

4. Tie the skirt around your child’s waist.  Slide the strips around the waist band to evenly distribute the strips around your child’s waist.

Constructing the Wand

Tie one of each: Tangerine, Apple Green and Teal strips onto the end of a twig or dowel rod.  

Note:  Twigs & wands can cause safety issues.  You may want to omit the wand if your child does not understand safe “wand wielding” rules!

Constructing the Headband

1. Lay a Purple, Apple Green and Teal strip down, knot one end (leaving a tail of about 1”) and braid the strips together.  Knot end, leaving a 1” tail of unbraided fabric at the end.  You may want to measure your child’s head first, to make sure the strips are long enough.  If not, be sure to conserve extra strips for this part of the costume and tie them together to get the length you want.

2. Using floral wire, attach silk flowers, silk leaves, and faux butterflies to the braided headband base.  Make sure the items are secure on the headband and that the wires are safely tucked between the braiding to avoid any safety issues or discomfort.  Tie the headband around your child’s head.