Indian Costume
The world of blogging is a bit like retail—by now, I should probably be sharing Christmas posts (or even teasing Valentine’s Day!). But instead, I’m here sharing Grace’s Halloween costume, which, with a little imagination, could even work for Thanksgiving (think Pilgrims and Native Americans).
Growing up, my Halloween costumes were always handmade by my mom, and those creations are some of my favorite Halloween memories. Wanting to pass on that tradition to Grace, I’ve made her costumes over the past few years.
This year, she decided to dress as a Native American, inspired by Dear Lillie’s beautiful costume design.
This was the easiest costume I’ve made so far, and it didn’t cost much more than a store-bought one. All I needed was a quick trip to the local fabric and hobby store, where I picked up two different sizes of leather fringe—about a yard of each—for roughly $9 total.
We bought some real turkey feathers from the local flea market ($2 for 3 feathers). Back at the fabric store, I bought a package of turquoise beads for $4 to add some color and there I also found a clearanced dollar feather barrette.
Lastly, I picked up 5 yards of tulle for $5—2 yards of sparkly dark brown and 3 yards of tan. I also used some ribbon, just enough to fit around Grace’s waist and tie it closed, which I already had on hand.
Every Native American needs a tutu, right? Well, my little one certainly did!
To get started on the tutu, I cut the tulle into strips about 5-6 inches wide. It was a simple and fun way to add a unique twist to the costume.
I layered the tulle, alternating between sections of tan and brown, and loosely knotted each strip around the ribbon to create a no-sew tutu. It came together easily and added a fun, whimsical touch to the costume.
You’ll need to schedule a fitting with your little Native American to ensure the tutu fits perfectly. Since the tulle is knotted onto the ribbon, the tutu will need to be tied around the waist, so make sure to leave enough ribbon on both sides to secure it comfortably.
Once the tutu was finished, I added a final touch by hot gluing 2-inch long leather fringe along the top of the tulle knots. It gave the costume an extra layer of detail and texture!
In the center of the tutu, I attached a feather barrette for a finishing touch. I also used fishing line to string and secure a turquoise bead, adding a pop of color and a bit of flair to the design.
What every Native American needs is a headdress! I started by creating a headband using some fold-over elastic. This simple base would allow me to add some decorative elements later on for a complete look.
To secure the turkey feathers, I created a small “pocket” by sewing ½ inch of no-sew elastic on the inside of the headband. Then, I sewed down the center of an additional scrap of no-sew elastic, forming two slots where the feathers fit snugly.
In the center of the headband, I used fishing line to secure a turquoise bead, adding a lovely touch to the overall design.
To incorporate more turquoise touches, I made a ring using a plain adjustable ring, a turquoise bead, and some Gorilla Glue. This gave the little Native American girl another cute and budget-friendly accessory to complete her look!
Instead of investing in new shoes or moccasins for the costume, I decided to embellish a pair of tan boots we already had. I applied a few dabs of hot glue to the inside of each boot near the zipper, then strung some fishing line through a bead and secured a turquoise bead to each boot. The best part? I was able to remove everything afterward without causing any damage to the boots!
The shoes, headdress, and ring were all easy to make, cost very little, and had a significant impact on the overall costume. They truly brought Grace’s Native American look to life!
To complete the costume, I used a long-sleeve white tee shirt and the smaller leather trim. I applied hot glue to the sleeves and collar, attaching the leather trim to give the shirt a stylish finishing touch.
And that’s how you transform a little girl into an Indian Puggle Wrangler! The costume came together beautifully, blending creativity and fun perfectly.
Cost of homemade Indian Costume: $22
Cost of creating memories for your child: Priceless.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, “Designed, Decorated, and Created in Heels” beautifully captures the essence of crafting memorable experiences while embracing a touch of elegance and style. Whether it’s creating a heartfelt costume for a loved one or embellishing everyday items, this approach highlights the joy of creativity and the satisfaction of bringing personal visions to life. It reminds us that with a bit of resourcefulness and flair, we can transform simple ideas into meaningful creations—no matter the occasion, all while feeling fabulous in our favorite heels!
