DIY: Spaghetti & Meatballs Costume

As I may have mentioned a time or million two, I'm a fan of Halloween. More specifically, I'm a fan of Halloween costumes, and even more specifically, I'm a fan of DIY Halloween costumes. (Incidentally, I'm also a fan of specifics). Making mine every year is a ritual for me, starting with the brainstorming process in, oh, July or August.

This year, I was low key and didn't finalize details until late September and only made two sketches. Living on the edge! Since I didn't have plans for a Halloween party, I didn't want an elaborate costume if I wasn't going to get a chance to wear it, which is why I went with this - my version of a "low key costume." Yes.

Luckily, I did get invited to a party and the costume went over well. It was fun to wear, but I'm used to costumes that I can't sit in, so take that for what it's worth. Plus, the spaghetti yarn feels like a snuggly shawl. I wish I could wear it that way forever, but I think I'd get looks.

Want to make this costume too? Here's everything you need to know! I'm breaking down the instructions for each costume piece to keep is simple(r). Let's start with something easy:

Meatballs

WHAT YOU NEED

Small Styrofoam Balls  //  Brown Paint  //  Black Paint  //  Sponge Brush  //  Paper Towel(s)

HOW TO MAKE IT

(If you have whole styrofoam balls, first cut them in half with a knife. I'm re-using old ones from my Broadway Corn on the Cob costume, which is why mine are yellow.) 

Paint your balls brown and let them dry [a]. Next, mix some black and brown paint to make a dark brown shade. Dab this new color over the balls with a paper towel [b]. This gives the meatballs a textured appearance and makes them look more authentic, but feel free to skip this because no one besides me will care about the authenticity of a fake meatball on a Halloween costume, trust me.

Finished meatballs! While they dry, we'll move on to the...

Spaghetti Hat

WHAT YOU NEED

Thick Yarn (in a spaghetti-ish color)  //  1/4" Elastic  //  Styrofoam Half-Ball  //  Fork  // Hot Glue Gun

HOW TO MAKE IT

Put a dot of hot glue on the bottom edge of the styrofoam ball and stick the end of the yarn to it [a]. Wrap the yarn around the bottom perimeter of the ball, gluing it down as you go [b]. Continue to wrap and glue the yarn around the ball [c]. When the ball is almost covered, stab/poke (stab sounds more fun) your fork into the top of the ball. Take the fork out, dab a little glue on the end of the prongs, and insert it back into the holes you just made [d]. Continue to wrap the yarn, and when you get to the top, wrap and glue the yarn around the fork [e]. Snip off excess yarn and glue the end of it to the fork [f].

Cut your elastic to whatever length you need to go around your head and glue the ends under the base of the ball. I put a circle of felt over the underneath area to cover the elastic and make it softer on my head (styrofoam + hair seems uncomfortable), but that isn't required. It will be on the test, though.

DONE! Much easier than you thought, right? I think we have the confidence to move on to the...

Spaghetti & Meatballs

WHAT YOU NEED

Thick Yarn  //  Red Felt  //  Scissors  //  Hot Glue Gun

HOW TO MAKE IT

First, cut two shapes from your red felt like the one pictured below. It's kind of an orzo shape, but that sounds insane so just eyeball it. Actually, it kind of looks like an eyeball so go with that. I'm going to pin this piece to a t-shirt for the final costume, so I measured the length against the sleeve for accuracy.

Cut a length of your yarn and glue one end to each red felt shape. You want this to be long enough to drape over your chest [a]. Cut various lengths of yarn and glue them to each red felt shape [b]. I glued them all as loops because it's twice as fast and who has the time? Kind of a ridiculous thing to say at this point though, I guess. You want the red shapes to be covered in yarn pieces, so keep cutting and gluing [c]. Note: these red shapes will be on your shoulders, so I created a "front" and "back" row of strings so they would hang all over me [d].

When you're done draping the spaghetti start gluing the meatballs all over. I went with a random pattern and put more on the front, careful not to give myself a meatball nipple because come on. You don't want to work this hard to have some jerk at a party tell you that your meatballs look like nipples. Just try it on before you glue is what I'm saying.

Pinky raise optional.

Phew! You maybe kind of hate this already, but we're so close! Let's just make the...

Red Gingham Apron

WHAT YOU NEED

Red Gingham Fabric  //  Measuring Tape  //  Scissors  //  Pins  //  Sewing Machine

HOW TO MAKE IT

Step One: BUY AN APRON! Just kidding - kind of. If you are less insane than me, just buy one, ok? For the brave of heart, read on:

I wanted this to be reminiscent of a table cloth at an Italian restaurant, thus the red gingham. First, we'll make the strap. Mine was about 3" wide, so I cut 6" of fabric [a] since I'll be doubling it over, right sides together, before sewing [b].

Sew the bottom seam and end seam, leaving one end open. The awesome thing about cutting and sewing gingham is that the lines are a perfect guide for straight cuts and stitches.

I ended my strap in a diagonal stitch to give my tails little points, but that's optional. I also made my strap in two pieces (meaning I did this process twice) because I didn't have the width I needed in my fabric scraps.

Next, flip the strap right-side-out via the open end [a]. If you made a diagonal end, trim the excess first. Once you're done, sew the open end shut [b].

Since I did mine in two pieces, one end is flat rather than pointed. I sewed both pieces together at the flat end.

Next, cut a piece of fabric large enough for the apron. Because we want the apron to have some poof (duh) I made mine pretty wide because we'll be gathering it later. Cut the bottom corners in a rounded shape (optional) and hem the sides and bottom.

Next, run a basting stitch along the top edge of the apron.

Enjoy this illustration/dramatic recreation because I forgot to take pictures of ALL of this.

Take the end of the thread and gently pull it so that the fabric starts to bunch up.

Arrange the bunched fabric to your liking, making sure the final width is right for you, and sew the finished strap over the top of the apron.

Kind of easy, right? No, I'm losing my mind? Oh, okay.

The Final Costume

Pin the red felt shapes onto the shoulders of your shirt and wear it with red tights

 and red shoes (should I even have to say this?!). I also went with red nails and lips because I love nothing more than a theme. Also, please curl your hair so it looks like spaghetti. Bonus points if your hair is also red and white to match, but that was just a coincidence.

You can also see my eye makeup here, which I did with Wet n Wild's Silent Treatment palette.

Spaghetti Hat close up:

Also, this costume provides many opportunities for "hilarious" poses, such as:

Okay, that was A LOT. If you read even some of that, BRAVO, sir or madam (probably madam, right?). This was a lot of fun to make, plus now I have a new apron! Watch out, baking projects.

Do you like to buy or make your costumes? Have you ever dressed as a food item? What are you being/what were you this Halloween? Add a link if there's a picture of you somewhere so I can creep on your costumes!

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