Why buy a superhero costume when you can have fun making your own at home? Reproduce your favorite character's costume or invent your own superhero complete with superpowers, using simple materials that you probably already have at your disposal at home. Think about the basic elements of a superhero costume described below and start building your superhero look!
Steps
Method 1 of 5: The Basics
Step 1. Put on some elastane
All superheroes wear tight-fitting clothing of some kind, be it dungarees, leggings, or full body tights. Pick a color or two and start making your costume with a leotard.
Step 2. Try using leggings and a long-sleeved shirt
Most superheroes completely cover their skin to avoid being recognized.
- You can also use plain colored clothing instead of elastane.
- If you have a hard time finding stretch, tight-fitting clothing, look at a sports clothing store.
Step 3. Try on a full suit
If you're not afraid to look ridiculous, you can purchase spandex full body tights at a costume shop, or order online from a website like superfansuits.com.
Method 2 of 5: Hide Your Identity
Step 1. Camouflage your face with a mask
It is extremely important for a superhero to hide their identity from potential enemies. Make a kind of mask to camouflage the face and avoid being discovered. There are many methods of making a homemade mask.
Step 2. Create a paper mask
Hold a piece of construction paper over your face and ask a friend to put two marks at the outer edges of the eyes, and one mark on the tip of the nose (you can also use a paper plate).
- Draw the mask on the piece of paper, using the points as a reference for the size of the face.
- Cut out the shape of the mask and drill two holes near the ears.
- Tie a ribbon or string to each hole so you can secure the mask behind your head.
- Decorate the outline with colored markers, paint, feathers, sequins, glitter or other embellishments to suit your superpowers.
Step 3. Create a mask using aluminum foil and masking tape
Overlap three sheets of aluminum foil and press them to your face to create a cast.
- Outline where the eyes and other openings are with a marker. Use scissors to cut out the edges of the mask, eyes, mouth, and other openings you drew.
- Make holes in the sides of the mask, near the ears, and tie a ribbon to tie it.
- Making sure to keep it in shape, cover the mask with sturdy packing tape.
- Decorate the mask with acrylic paints and other embellishments such as feathers or sequins.
Step 4. Make a papier mache mask
Inflate a balloon to approximately the size of your head. Lay a newspaper on a table or floor to use it as a work surface.
- Tear off strips of newspaper or cut long strips of thin fabric.
- Mix two cups of flour and one cup of water in a bowl. You can use two cups of glue instead of flour if you don't have any available.
- Completely dip the strips of paper or cloth into the solution and start spreading them on the balloon until it is completely covered. Make sure you place the strips at random inclinations and so that they cross.
- Let the paper dry completely, then take a needle and pop the balloon. Cut the paper ball with sturdy scissors starting from the base.
- Style the mask to fit your face by cutting out the openings for the eyes and mouth, and finally decorate it with paint or other decorations of your choice!
Method 3 of 5: Make a Cloak
Step 1. Find a piece of cloth
Most superheroes aren't satisfied with a costume devoid of their most distinctive accessory. Make a cape out of any piece of old fabric that you can cut. You can find cheap felt at many DIY stores.
Step 2. Put the fabric on your shoulders and take your measurements
Ask a friend to mark where the corners of the cloak should go. Make sure it's not long enough to trip over it when you walk.
Step 3. Cut out the shape of the cape
Use a ruler to join the four corners of the stitches and carefully cut out the rectangular shape.
Step 4. Decorate the cape
Attach a symbol or letter representing your superpowers to the center of the cloak.
- Felt is great as a cloak embellishment, because it is easy to manipulate and does not crease as you run.
- You can fix these decorations with hot glue or with velcro strips.
Step 5. Tie the cape to the costume
You can tie the fabric with a knot at the sternum, use a pin to hold it in place, or apply Velcro strips on the shoulders.
Method 4 of 5: Showy Shoes
Step 1. Wear some brightly colored boots
If you already own a pair of colorful wellies, you can add them to your costume to give it an extra touch.
Step 2. Put on some soccer socks
If you are not going to walk outdoors, you can simply wear a pair of knee socks in the color of your choice.
Step 3. Make some boots with duct tape
If you will be walking around the neighborhood or dancing until dawn, duct tape boots are a quick and affordable alternative to buying colorful boots.
- Put on a pair of old sneakers and cover them with a few layers of cling film, also covering the calf to the desired height of the boots.
- Buy duct tape of the color you want to give your boots. Start laying the tape over the plastic in small pieces, trying to make it stick flat. Be careful not to squeeze too tightly around the leg.
- When you have covered the entire surface of the boot, you can start your costume party!
- If you are preparing your boots in advance, you can use scissors to carefully create a line that allows you to get your foot out. When you want to wear the boots, tuck them over your shoes and use the tape to close the cut.
- For a more elaborate look, add a few inches of duct tape to the top of the boot to create a flare.
Step 4. Sew felt boots
Put your feet on a piece of paper and trace the outline of the right and left foot with a marker, leaving about 0.5 cm of additional space between the line and the foot.
- Use a tape measure to measure the distance from the fingertips to the edge of the boot on the calf; also measure the circumference of the calf at the highest point of the boot. Add about 5 cm to the circumference to allow the boot to flare.
- Copy the outline of these two measurements onto a piece of paper and connect them to make an inverted T. Repeat with the other foot.
- Cut out the two soles and the four pieces of the boot body, then lay them out on the felt. Lightly outline the shape of each piece of paper on the felt with a pen or pencil and cut out the four pieces of felt.
- Use a pin to hold the two body pieces together, make an L above your foot and sew them together along the edges that run in front and behind the leg. Turn the boot inside out to hide the seam.
- Use a pin to hold the sole and L-tube together; sew the edges at least twice so that the seam is strong. Repeat this process for the second boot and you're done!
Method 5 of 5: Show off your superpowers
Step 1. Choose the superhero costume accessories
Bring a dummy weapon or decorate your costume so the neighborhood kids can figure out what you're capable of in superhero mode.
- For example, if you have the ability to transform into an animal, make a template out of cardboard or felt and attach it to the shirt or cape.
- If you are playing an existing character, imitate his accessories.
Step 2. Become Superman
Superman's superpowers are part of his persona. Recreate the look of this superhero by simply decorating the shirt with Superman's epic "S". You can make it with felt that you will glue on the shirt or with cardboard.
Step 3. Shine like Spiderman
Like Superman, Spidey also doesn't need tools to fight crime. To create a Spiderman costume draw webs all over the costume, making sure the center of the shirt is the center of the web.
- You can make a spider web with silver glitter glue, or draw it with white glue to cover with silver glitter when it's not dry yet. Let the glue dry and then remove the excess glitter.
- You can also make a spider out of paper or felt and glue it to the center of the spider web.
Step 4. Make a Batman costume
Batman sports a black belt with square pockets on the sides that hold all of his state-of-the-art gadgets. You can make a felt belt and sew the pockets if you like, or use an old belt to glue some eyeglass cases to.
- Don't forget to fill your belt pockets with super accessories like the Bat-monitor (use a black transceiver), Bat-handcuffs (paint black handcuffs black), and Bat-lasso (use black cord).
- If you don't have a two-way radio or toy handcuffs at your disposal, you can make them out of cardboard and draw the details.
Step 5. Impress your friends with a Wonder Woman costume
A golden lasso, a golden belt, golden bracelets and a shimmering tiara are the most characteristic properties of this Superheroine.
- Spray gold paint on a string to make the lasso and tie it to your belt. You can make Wonder Woman's signature gold belt out of cardstock or felt, or paint an old belt gold.
- Wear thick gold bracelets to represent the gold bracelets, or cut out strips of shimmering fabric, gold paper, or gold-painted tinfoil. Put the bracelets around your wrists.
- Finally, make the tiara by covering a hair band with a gold material or by simply cutting a tiara out of a piece of paper and using paper clips to hold it on the head. Glue a red star to the front of the tiara.
Step 6. Create Captain America's shield
In addition to his beautiful mask, Captain America carries a super shield with him. Make a cardboard shield by cutting out a large circular shape and painting it in the appropriate colors. You can also use a round piece of plastic, a large pot lid, or the round lid of a garbage can.
- Attach a piece of felt or ribbon behind the shield with hot glue or tacks to create the shield grip.
- Cut out a white star out of paper or felt and glue it to the center of the shield.
Step 7. Patrol the streets like Wolverine
Wolverine's sharp claws are easy to create using foil and cardstock.
- Get rubber dishwashing gloves and paint them the same color as your skin.
- Cut out long, sharp claws out of cardboard, then cover them with aluminum foil.
- Use hot glue to glue the claws onto the rubber gloves at the knuckles.
Advice
- Felt is a great fabric for costumes, but it's not very durable. Wear shoes under your felt boots if possible.
- You can create a whole gang of superheroes together with your friends.
- Make sure you name your superhero and try to print it somewhere on the costume!
- Be creative! You don't have to imitate an existing character. Choose your favorite superpowers, add your favorite colors and accessories and get to work!
- Take the time to complete your costume. Some of these methods take a long time.
- If you don't feel comfortable wearing stretch garments, choose a solid color top and jumpsuit.
Warnings
- Don't use real guns as accessories, it can be extremely dangerous (and in some cases illegal).
- Be careful not to burn yourself when using a hot glue gun.
- Be careful when handling fake weapons.
