Needle felting helps Halloween costume – again.

After Posts 1 and 2 about The Hatchling and its use of so many unique forms of silk, I just realized I forgot to show you another way needle felting is SUPER USEFUL — creating a Halloween costume!

Granted, Halloween is now behind us, but there’s a good reason this story is a little late.

My husband asked me that very morning, “What do we have in the costume collection?” Followed by, “Can you make me something new for this afternoon’s event?”

Mind you… THE DAY OF!

Apparently, advance planning is an optional feature in our household. 😂

I hastily delved into the storage bin containing costumes + fabric bits ‘n pieces. There inside were costumes I’d made for him in previous years. Four out of five relied on needle-felted wigs to really enhance — if not practically MAKE — the costume. Frankenstein was the first, also hastily cobbled together if memory serves…

Followed by a Japanese Geisha! Its awesome – you gotta go peek. Last year it was The Dread Pirate Lester Chickenhawk. Would he wear one of these again? Naw, he held out for something new – relying heavily upon my ability to spontaneously generate MAGIC.

Being both a spinner and needle-felt artist, I have a lovely stash of curly sheep locks on hand. (One of the many advantages of this particular hobby!)

I found a velvety cape scored at the thrift shop, along with a swathe of sparkly metallic shimmer fabric bought at last years after-Halloween sale.

Could I sew the sparkly fabric into something costume-worthy in the time available? Not in less than an hour, bub!

So, Plan B: Fold fabric in half, cut a hole for his head, and call it a robe! No need to sew the sides since the cape would hide it anyway. I simply added a couple of safety pins under the arms to keep the fabric from flopping forward every time he reached out.

I already had a terrific, wet-felted, wonky Witch’s hat from last year. Surely a Wizard could rock that hat! And daughter had left her walking stick here, so that would do for a Wizards staff.

But he still needed…. a beard. In the before & after photos, you’d surely agree a needle felted beard immeasurably enhanced the wizard costume? The long ringlet locks don’t give the slightest hint of fluffy Santa beard either. That marvelous beard is emphatically a wizard beard.

Oh yes – the beard “makes” the costume and he looks very Wizardly indeed. (next year: sparkly socks too)

So THIS is where needle felting made the striking difference in the costume.

Yes, I could have simply face-painted a beard, but really… where’s the fun in that?

I had a generous handful of super-long Teeswater sheep curls. Actually, calling them curls hardly does them justice — they’re more like long, luxurious ringlets! You can easily buy these curls online (here is an example).

Anyway, I fashioned a U-shaped wire frame, bending the ends into little hooks that would fit over his ears, rather like a pair of glasses. Then I wrapped the wire in wool to soften it, building up a thicker section in the center to rest just under his chin, right where a proper beard should grow.

OH – very important: I barely needled a few locks in the center – for a mustache. A couple more short pieces for eyebrows. Best tip: use eyelash glue to stick it on! Holds instantly, soft and comfy all day. Peels easily too.

Even better, I needled locks onto a strip of felt, and hastily stitched that strip just up inside the hat. The wizard hair compliments his beard.

And then came the best part: attaching those gorgeous Teeswater locks! Needle felting the cut ends directly – and carefully – onto the wool wrapped wire.

Who knew that a collection of unusual fibers, a bit of wire, some wool, a safety pin or two, and a husband with very last-minute ideas could come together so nicely?

Needle felting: beautiful art, practical problem-solving, AND emergency costume construction.

Perhaps I should add “Halloween Costume Rescue Service” to my list of fiber arts specialties. 😉