Do it yourself elf costume ideas 2024

Materials Needed

• Red pajama set (pants and long-sleeved shirt)
• 1/2 yard white felt
• 3/4 yard red felt
• 1/3 yard green felt (optional, for hat variation)
• Soft 1/4" elastic
• Ribbon
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks (or fabric glue)
• Scissors (fabric scissors recommended)
• White mittens (optional)
• Red socks
• Craft pom-poms (optional, for decoration)

Creating the Elf Hat

1. Using the red felt, cut out a large semicircle. The radius should be about 12 inches for an adult hat or 10 inches for a child's hat.

2. Fold the semicircle in half to form a cone shape. Glue or sew the edges together, leaving about 1/2 inch for seam allowance.

3. Cut a strip of white felt about 2 inches wide and long enough to fit around the base of the hat. Glue or sew this strip to the bottom edge of the hat to create a white trim.

4. For added authenticity, you can create a curled tip for the hat. Cut a small piece of wire (about 6 inches long) and insert it into the tip of the hat. Bend it slightly to create a gentle curve.

5. Optional: Add a small pom-pom to the tip of the hat using hot glue.

6. To ensure the hat stays in place, cut two 6-inch pieces of elastic. Attach these to the inside of the hat, about 2 inches up from the base, on opposite sides. These will go under the chin to keep the hat secure.

Crafting the Elf Collar

1. Download and print the collar pattern provided in the search results. If you don't have access to the pattern, you can create your own by drawing a large circle with a diameter of about 20 inches for an adult or 16 inches for a child.

2. Cut out the center of the circle to fit around the neck. The neck hole should be about 6 inches in diameter for an adult or 5 inches for a child.

3. Cut from the outer edge of the circle towards the center, creating a scalloped or zigzag pattern. This will give the collar its characteristic elf look.

4. Cut a second piece of white felt identical to the first.

5. Place the two pieces together and glue or sew around the inner and outer edges, leaving the back open.

6. Cut two 4-inch pieces of ribbon or elastic. Glue or sew these to the back of the collar to create ties.

7. For added flair, you can glue small red pom-poms to the points of the collar.

Making the Elf Skirt (Optional)

1. Measure from the waist to the desired skirt length and add 1 inch for the waistband.

2. Cut a rectangle of red felt with this measurement as the length and twice your waist measurement as the width.

3. Fold the rectangle in half widthwise and sew or glue the side seam.

4. For the waistband, fold over the top edge by 1 inch and glue or sew in place, leaving a small opening to insert elastic.

5. Thread elastic through the waistband and secure it to fit comfortably.

6. Optional: Add white felt snowflakes to the skirt using the printable pattern provided in the search results.

Assembling the Costume

1. Start with the red pajama set as the base of your costume.

2. Put on the elf collar over the shirt.

3. If you made the skirt, put it on over the pants for girls, or leave it off for boys.

4. Don the elf hat.

5. Put on red socks and white mittens (if using).

Adding the Finishing Touches

1. Makeup: Use red blush to create round, rosy cheeks. This is a signature look for the Elf on the Shelf.

2. Eyelashes: Draw or apply false eyelashes to create long, curved lashes, just like the elf doll.

3. Accessories: Consider adding a candy cane prop or a small gift bag to complete the elf look.

Tips for Success

• If you're short on time, you can simplify the costume by using a pre-made Santa hat and just adding the collar to a red outfit.
• For a no-sew option, use fabric glue instead of sewing. Just be sure to allow enough drying time.
• If you're making multiple costumes, consider creating a production line. Cut out all pieces first, then assemble them in stages.
• To make the costume more durable, especially for children, reinforce seams and attachment points with extra stitching or glue.

Variations and Customizations

• For a Buddy the Elf costume, use green felt for the hat and add yellow accents.
• Create a family of elves by making costumes in various sizes, from baby to adult.
• For a more professional look, consider using velvet or satin fabrics instead of felt.

Care and Storage

1. Spot clean only, as felt and glued areas may not hold up well to machine washing.
2. Store the hat stuffed with tissue paper to maintain its shape.
3. Hang the collar flat or on a wide hanger to prevent creasing.