No-Sew Rapunzel Costume

 by dollarcraft
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Want to dress like a Princess, but go beyond the basic princess costume? Add a super-long wig and take-along tower prop. This no-sew costume has a clever technique for making a braid out of fabric that is fairly quick and easy, and ends in a wig that can be as long as you want to make it.

Age range: 5 and up (Parental supervision recommended)

Level of difficulty for a child helping the adult with the costume: medium

Time needed: 1-6 hours, including drying time

What you'll need:

Wig:
  • 2 yards of plain cotton fabric (I used golden yellow for a blonde braid)
  • Stapler and staples
  • Duct tape
  • Scissors
  • 1/4" elastic
  • Ribbon

Tower:
  • 2 sheets of foam core board
  • 2 yardsticks
  • Pencil
  • Paint and kitchen sponge or paintbrushes
  • Permanent marker
  • Scissors or craft (X-acto) knife
  • 1/4" elastic
  • Duct tape
  • Hot glue gun and glue sticks
  • Staple gun and staples

To complete the costume:
  • Princess or church dress
  • Tights and shoes
 
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Step 1: How to make the Wig

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1. Cut 2 yard piece of fabric in half, lengthwise. You will then have two 2-yard pieces of fabric that are approximately 22" wide each.

2. Lay one piece of fabric on the work surface, good side up. Lay the second piece of fabric on top of the first, good side down. Line up short edges, and staple together with staples about 1" apart. (Alternately, you can sew a seam here instead of stapling).

3. Open up stapled fabric. You should have one long piece of fabric that is about 4 yards long. Put a piece of duct tape over the stapled seam (this will protect the hair from catching on staples). Be sure to cover all the staples with duct tape.

4. Your hair should be up in a ponytail or bun so the wig will completely cover your natural hairline.

5. Put the seamed part of the wig on your head (duct tape should face the hair), and gather the long part of the wig together at the nape of your neck, and tie it with a piece of 1/4" elastic. Trim the elastic tails.

6. You will have two pieces of fabric trailing out of the tied elastic. Twist them into a twisted braid by taking a strand in each hand and twisting the strands in the same direction, and then around each other. Tie a piece of elastic at the end of the braid, and trim elastic tails.

7. Tie ribbons around each of the elastics.

Wig tips:

Wearing the Wig: Put the wig on like you would put a scarf on your head. When you tie the elastic at your neck, make sure the wig is snug enough on your head that it will stay on. Use bobby pins to secure the wig to your hair, if necessary.

Make a Longer Wig: To make a longer braid, buy additional fabric. A 3 yard piece of fabric will make a braid that is about 7-8 feet long.

Team Crafting: Making the wig is easiest if another person helps you. Have a parent or a friend do the braiding while you wear the wig.
mikeasaurus says: Oct 30, 2011. 11:26 AM
Something about this entire costume makes me smile, such a fun idea!
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