Making a last-minute Spiderman costume | #LRCrafts - DIY Passion: if you can think it, you can make it
My daughter is growing, and she’s becoming more and more involved in our family crafting. I love when she takes the initiative and comes to us with a creative idea in mind!
During a quiet winter weekend at home, we were talking about the upcoming Carnival. I thought she might want to wear the ghost costume I made for her and wanted to wear twice in a row, but instead she surprised me with a new request: a Spiderman costume. The idea came from a Spiderman mural not far from home, one she absolutely loves.
I always enjoy sewing costumes for my daughter’s Carnivals and Halloweens, but this time, there was a catch. The party was the following weekend, and I had only a few hours to make it, squeezed between work, household tasks, an Irish dance competition, and everything else.
With no time to go shopping but a strong desire to make something special for her – and with her – I turned to my trusted craft stash. A well-stocked stash can be a lifesaver in moments like this! After a quick search through her wardrobe and my supplies, I realized I had just what I needed to create a simple yet effective Spiderman costume, without even stepping out of the house.
Embroidery and sewing
Click for the finished project detailed photos
First, I looked at some pictures of Spiderman, trying to figure out how to recreate it quickly with what I had available. The main colors here are obvious: red and blue. The costume is an overall style, but that would have been hard to replicate with the time available, so I decided to treat it as two separate parts: trousers and long-sleeved t-shirt.
The lower part was easy enough to cover: my daughter already had a pair of blue trousers that would work perfectly, so that part of the costume was already done.
The upper part of the suit was a bit more tricky. I could use a long-sleeved blue t-shirt, and add a red front and back that revealed the blue on both sides. I decided to join the two red panels at the waist with a sort of belt, matching the appearance of the original Spiderman. This would keep them in place without the need to sew everything directly onto the t-shirt. If I kept the red part separate, I could repurpose the t-shirt and trousers for everyday use and save the red vest for future parties. I always try to accommodate my child’s growth when I can!
For the sleeves, I simplified things. Spiderman’s sleeves are red on the top and blue on the bottom, but I didn’t have enough material to make the red portion.
I found a leftover piece of red felt in my fabric stash that was just enough to create the front and back panels, as well as the belt. If I’d needed to make a full t-shirt, the fabric wouldn’t have been enough. But since I was leaving the sides open to show the blue t-shirt underneath, I was able to save time by using only what I had on hand.
This also meant I didn’t have enough material for red boots or the mask, but that wasn’t a problem—my daughter doesn’t like wearing hats or anything on her head, so I wasn’t concerned about the mask at all.
Since I had exactly enough fabric for what I needed—no more, no less—I had to be extra careful with cutting, as I wouldn’t get a second chance.
Having a plan and my materials ready, I began by cutting all the needed pieces from the red felt, starting with the front and back panels. I used the t-shirt as a size guide, since I didn’t need precise measurements for a tight-fitting vest. I made sure to cut a vertical slit at the back of the neck, which would allow for easy wear and accommodate the head when pulling it on.
With time running short and the sewing machine unreachable, since the craft table was occupied by my husband working on a big project, I decided to hand stitch everything. It was the quickest option, and honestly, it felt more manageable on the floor with my daughter! I started by stitching the shoulders together to unite the front and back panels, then tried the vest on her to check the fit. Once I was happy with it, I moved on to the belt.
The belt was the last piece of red felt I had left. I cut it into two equal pieces to fit around the waist and fasten at the back, then stitched them onto both sides of the front panel.
While rummaging through my button box, I found a red buckle that seemed just right for the job. I decided to use it to close the belt at the back. This served two purposes: it made the costume easier to wear and adjust, and it allowed for some growth room, ensuring my daughter could wear it again if needed.
Next, I made a small hole in the back of the vest for the belt to pass through and stitched the buckle in place. I added a few small holes to the belt to ensure the buckle would work properly and allow for adjustments. I really loved this addition: it made the costume feel less rushed and more thoughtfully put together.
Finally, I added the finishing touch: I drew a spider web all over the costume with a black permanent marker.
Starting from the neckline, I drew radial lines and then connected them with curved perpendicular lines, creating the familiar web pattern. I repeated the same process on both the back and front, making sure to include the belt in the design for a cohesive look.
On the center front, I drew a large spider, just like the one on Spiderman’s suit. It was a simple touch, but it really brought the whole look together and made the costume feel truly Spiderman-inspired.
My daughter was absolutely thrilled with the final result, and she had so much fun helping me with the process.
She wore the costume at the party, watching the chariots pass by along the road in her grandparent’s hometown, and we were both proud of how it turned out. At first, I feared it would seem too rushed and homemade among the other Spidermans around, but as we were approaching the party, I overheard kids telling their parents my child was dressed as Spiderman. So the overall appearance made it recognizable! And seeing her with other similar characters, my daughter playful and confident, wiped all my fears away.
It was a costume made with love, creativity, and just the right amount of time and effort.
I’d love to hear your own experiences! Have you ever had to create a costume last-minute or come up with a creative solution for your child? Feel free to share your thoughts and stories in the comments below: let’s inspire each other with our crafting adventures!
by Rici86.
