Hula Girl Halloween Costume

You will need:

– Ribbons about 3/8 – 1-1/2-inch (1-4 centimeters) wide
– Ribbon about 2 inches (5 centimeters) wide and matching thread
– Elastic 1/4in (5 millimeters) wide
– Safety pin- Three 12-inch (30-centimeters) squares of felt in different colors
– Ribbon 1/4-inch (5-millimeters) wide
– Two pipe cleaners
– White sleeveless top (to complete outfit)

For patterns and more detailed instructions, pick up the book “Cute and Easy Costumes for Kids: 35 Fun Dressing Up Ideas for Children” by Emma Hardy (CICO Books, July 2010, $19.95), which features 35 ideas for easy-to-make Halloween costumes.

1 Measure and cut 27 1/2-inch (70 centimeters) lengths of the medium-width ribbons. Also cut a 28 1/2-inch (72 centimeters) lengths of the wide ribbon and sew the ends together to form the waistband.

2 Fold the ribbons in half and pin the folded ends to the lower half of the waistband. Machine stitch in place.

3 Fold the top half of the waistband ribbon over so it encloses the folded ends of the ribbon. Pin and machine stitch close to the lower edge of the waistband, leaving a 1-inch (2.5-centimeter) opening. Thread elastic through the channel using a safety pin (see page 122). Check the length of the elastic around you child’s waist, adjusting if necessary. Stitch the ends of the elastic together. Sew the opening closed.

4 Using pattern piece 53, cut out flower shapes from colored felt. Make two small snips near the center of each flower. Cut a 30-inch (75 centimeters) length of the narrow ribbon for the lei (necklace) and two 12-inch (30 centimeters) lengths, one for the bracelet and one for the anklet. Thread the flowers onto the ribbons, and tie the ends of each ribbon in a bow. To make the headdress, thread flowers onto two pipe cleaners and twist the ends of the pipe cleaner together. Tie narrow ribbons to it for decoration.