I found this terrifically simple bumble bee Halloween costume tutorial on the Dritz website and thought I would share it with you.  You’ll sew some Dritz ruffled elastic onto a basic t-shirt and watch your bee come to life. Pipe cleaners and pom-poms become antennae, and store-bought wings finish off the look. So if you’re into DIY Halloween costumes, add this one to the list. 

You’ll need these basic sewing supplies to make this costume:

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1) Starting directly below the sleeves, draw your first stripe across the front of the t-shirt from sleeve to sleeve.

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2) Measure the distance from the first line to the bottom edge of the neck band stitches. This will be the distance between your stripes. Using this measurement, mark another line above the first, near the neck band. Mark this line from sleeve seam to sleeve seam.

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3) Using the measurement in step 2, draw additional stripes across the body of the shirt.

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4) Turn the shirt over and repeat marking lines on the back. Make sure they meet the lines on the front and are the same distance apart.

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5) Divide lines into quarters by making marks at the sides and center points on the front and back of the shirt.

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6) Measure the chest of your child and subtract 4″. Cut elastic pieces to this measurement. Cut 1 piece for each full “stripe.” Cut two 1/2 length pieces for the top stripes. Apply Fray Check to cut ends of elastic.

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7) Divide full elastic lengths into quarters and mark with pins at folds.

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8) Starting at center back of shirt, pin elastic end at center mark. Match shirt marks with pin marks and pin elastic around the shirt at marks. Tip: pin and stitch one piece of elastic at a time.

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9) Using a zigzag stitch, take 1 or 2 stitches to secure elastic at back of shirt. Put needle in down position.

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10) Grab shirt and elastic behind presser foot with one hand. Then grab elastic and shirt at next pin with other hand. Pull elastic to match width of fabric. Keeping elastic centered over line and holding elastic and shirt firmly in front and behind needle, stitch down center of elastic with zigzag stitch. Stop as needed to re-grip elastic and shirt. Keep needle in down position each time you stop. Stitch around entire circumference of shirt.

11) Repeat for remaining stripes. For short line near neckline, use one of the 1/2 length pieces. Divide this piece in half and pin mark. Pin ends at sleeve seams and center mark. Stretch and stitch as above. Repeat with other 1/2 length piece on back.

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12) For antennae, measure head for headband and subtract 4″. Cut elastic to this measurement. Mark center of elastic with pin. Bring ends of pipe cleaner together and twist together about 1″ from ends. Fold ends up to form “T” shape. Continue to twist pipe cleaner until a small loop is formed at the end of antenna.

13) Insert pom-pom into loop at top of pipe cleaner. Continue to twist pipe cleaner until pom-pom is secured. Repeat with second pipe cleaner and pom-pom. If needed, adjust twist at “T” to make antennae the same length.

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14) Position one end of antenna “T” at pin. Make sure antenna is standing straight up. Zigzag stitch over pipe cleaner end. Bend the antenna down as you sew to stitch all the way to twist. Repeat on other side of antenna.

15) Position second antenna end next to first end at pin and stitch as above.

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16) Overlap ends of elastic 1″ and stitch to secure. Wear like a headband and position antennae as desired.

17) Dress your little one in her bee costume! Our little gal is wearing her bee shirt with black leggings. You can add store-bought wings as an option (we did!). (If you add wings, please check manufacturer’s packaging for age guidelines/instructions.)

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