Introduction: Genie on a Flying Carpet Costume
How do you follow up the Kidnapped Mermaid Costume?
My friend, Pandy627, came up with another great idea for a sexy and impressive costume this year: Genie on a Flying Carpet.
This costume not only looks great, it's also very easy and quick to make. We were able to put the whole thing together in under 4 hours and so can you!
Step 1: What You"ll Need
You might be able to find many of these items already in your possession.
From the thrift store or the back of your closet:
-silky pajama pants (you'll need to cut these so pick a pair you won't want to wear again)
-gold shoes
-nylons or tights (doesn't matter if they have holes)
-genie top (we were lucky to have a friend willing to lend her belly dancing top, but a snazzy bra would work just as well)
-gold bling like a belt, bangles and big earrings.
From the dollar store:
-small gravy boat
-clip on pony tail hair piece
-sheet of foam core (you could use cardboard instead)
-coat hanger
From the fabric store:
-magic carpet fabric (you might be able to find an actual carpet to use instead but it will likely be heavier and may not be as easy to work with)
-tassel trim
-cheap black fabric to cover base
-fabric to line the underside of the carpet (we used gold lamé)
-batting and stuffing
From the hardware store:
-chicken wire
-gold spray paint
-casters (only if your walker doesn't already have wheels)
-2 bamboo garden stakes
-duct tape
From craigslist or your parents'/grandparents' garage:
-walker (we were lucky to find an unwanted walker for free but if you can't get a walker a rolling bar cart or anything else that's hip height and on wheels would work)
Tools:
-wire cutters
-pliers
-scissors
-X-Acto knife
-sewing machine (or needle and thread)
-glue gun and glue
-measuring tape or ruler
Step 2: Make Your Magic Carpet
The magic carpet consists of 5 layers:
-carpet fabric (the pretty part people see)
-batting (to smooth out the chicken wire bumps)
-chicken wire (to give it shape)
-foam core or cardboard (for added rigidity)
and
-lining fabric (in case anyone sees the underside)
Hem your carpet fabric and attach the tassels with a sewing machine or needle and thread.
Cut a piece of chicken wire slightly larger than your carpet fabric. Make sure it's narrow enough to fit through doorways. Using your pliers, fold over the pointy ends of the chicken wire so the final piece is slightly smaller than your fabric. It's a good idea to wear work gloves for this part so you don't cut yourself on the sharp edges.
Measure the hips of the person who will be wearing the costume. On the sheet of foam core or cardboard, trace out an oval the size of their hips. The oval should be centered towards the back of the sheet of foam core (you can try balancing the foam core on the walker to find the best location). Cut it out.
Cut a piece of batting slightly larger than the chicken wire. Position the foam core on the batting and chicken wire. If the chicken wire will droop down past the ends of the foam core, attach two bamboo poles to hold it up. Cut across the centre of the hole. Fold the edges of the chicken wire and batting down and secure to the foam core with duct tape and hot glue.
Cover the underside (foam core side) with the lining fabric. Fold over the edges like you're wrapping a present and attach with hot glue. Cut across the centre of the hole and attach the flaps to the opposite side with hot glue.
Place the flying carpet on the walker and mark where they meet. Using wire from the chicken wire, pierce through the carpet assembly on either side of part of the frame of the walker on both handles and the front cross piece. The wire can then be used like a twist tie to easily attach and detach the carpet from the walker.
Cut a piece of black fabric large enough to be a skirt around the walker and hide the costume wearer's legs. Glue the skirt to the underside of the carpet but leave it open in the back so it is easy to crawl in and out.
Attach the carpet fabric with hot glue around the edges. To ensure it is smooth and even, work in sections and after gluing down one section, move to the opposite side. Cut across the centre of the hole and attach the flaps to the inside.
Step 3: Fake the Legs
Fill the nylons with stuffing.
Cut or snap a wire coat hanger in half and insert one piece into the centre of each stuffed leg. The wire will be the leg "bones" with the bend forming the knee.
Using the remaining foam core from the hole in the carpet, cut out and fold two pieces to hold up the knees. Attach to the legs with duct tape.
Glue the pajama pants to the carpet around the edges of the hole. Cut out the centre. Save the scraps of fabric to use later.
Put the legs through the pants and glue the feet into the shoes. Cross the legs and glue the shoes to the carpet.
Step 4: Final Touches
Spray paint the gravy boat gold to make a magic lamp for the genie. Attach it to the carpet with glue.
Use scraps from the tassel trim and pants to make a head piece to go around the clip on pony tail. I used snaps, but a simple ring would work.
Step 5: Party Time!
Time to get all dolled up and hit the town!
To get in and out of the costume without messing up your hair, try using a scarf over your head.

Finalist in the
Halloween Contest
23 Comments
8 years ago on Introduction
this costume is really good
8 years ago on Introduction
Awesome costume! On another note, you may have accidentally discovered that putting stuffing in nylons creates some disgusting looking fake legs. Haha!
8 years ago on Introduction
Amazing costume and good work
10 years ago on Introduction
That's great! I've done one similar for a mermaid costume! PVC pipes and caster work if you can't find a walker or cart!
11 years ago on Introduction
Your costumes are great, and you're just so darned pretty too!
12 years ago on Introduction
cool costume but kind of freaky.... the folded legs freak me out for some reason makes me think you're a four legged human
12 years ago on Introduction
Great idea and instructable!
It inspires me to want to make a Flying Carpet Bicycle. More for the rider/flyer's entertainment.
12 years ago on Introduction
I love it! LOL
12 years ago on Introduction
Short of an actual flying carpet this is the best idea I have seen in a long time! Just a wonderfully simple to build, and very well explain Instructable!
Great Job!
12 years ago on Introduction
This is so clever, I love it!
12 years ago on Introduction
Wow! Would you grant me 3 wishes? ;) LOL
12 years ago on Introduction
Really awesome idea and construct ! I was thinking that your idea might be modified using an electric wheelchair. I have a friend who is wheelchair bound and this just may be the greatest costume ever for her. Anyway....I'll have a whole year to work on it!
Thanks for posting!
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
I think this is a great costume for someone with mobility problems. I would love to see this costume altered to accomodate a wheelchair.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
It's been done! See the Bridge School costumes in San Francisco...
http://www.bridgeschool.org/activities/halloween/aladdin.php
If you go up a level, they have a ton of other wheelchair-based costumes that'll knock your socks off...
12 years ago on Introduction
What a clever costume design. Great stuff.
Probably great for costume contests but lousy for trick r treating.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Where we live it's too cold to wear this trick or treating, but I think the costume could be modified to work for little Jasmines or Aladins.
To make it easier to climb up the steps to everyone's front door you could use shoulder straps to hold up the carpet instead of a walker.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
I've seen the skimpiest outfits on halloween night and it was like 20-something Fahrenheit outside... It's ridiculous, I agree... but still...
12 years ago on Introduction
Please say the genie comes with it !!!!
12 years ago on Introduction
You are so awesome.
12 years ago on Introduction
Nice Arabic Carpet.