How to Make a DIY Needle and Thread Costume

This DIY needle and thread costume is my new favorite DIY Halloween costume. I’m obsessed. This is Amy from Maker Mama here with a really awesome (almost) free costume to share.

As a crafty mama with four kids, keeping Halloween costumes affordable–but still fun–is a must. Add on top of that my weakness for keeping things green, too,  and it can be pretty tricky coming up with original ideas. But after hunting through my local thrift store I think I found a winner in my giant needle and thread costume. And how perfect is it for my fellow crafty friends?

To make your own giant spool of thread you’ll need a few things:

• a large lampshade
• wire cutters (if it has the metal part in the middle)
• duct tape
• freezer paper
• a large piece of cardboard
• 4-5 white t-shirts

And for the needle:

• a large knitting needle
• flexible cord or rope (I cut off a bit of my old computer cord)
• more duct tape
• silver paint

Start by cutting off any wire in the center of your lampshade and cover any exposed wire with duct tape. Then use your freezer paper to make a cone to help you measure the top and bottom of your spool.

Your cone should be large enough to slide into the lampshade and peek out several inches. Make a mark a couple of inches below the top of your lampshade and cut that section from your cone–this is your template for the cardboard and looks something like a rainbow.

Cut two cardboard rainbows. Fold each rainbow back into a circle and secure to the top and bottom of your lampshade with duct tape. My lampshade was slightly tapered so I placed one of the cardboard circles around the inside of the shade and one on the outside to even things out a bit.

Next, make yourself a bunch of t-shirt yarn. Let Birds Fly has a pretty awesome photo-tutorial if you’ve never made it. Wrap your lampshade generously with yarn and add some extra t-shirt fabric for straps and you have yourself a giant spool costume. To make a needle, just tape your cord to the top and paint it silver.

Thanks so much for having me, Jamie! If you enjoyed this post, feel free to stop by MakerMama.com for more thrifty-crafty inspiration!