Family of Parrots CostumeThis colorful group costume is sure to please all ages, from toddlers to adults!In the slide show above, you're viewing a colorful Family of Parrots group costume that all ages in your home can enjoy for Halloween and other costume occasions. On this page, the creator of these parrot costumes, Elena DeLima of Arizona, will tell you how you, too, can make & enjoy this fun family costume! How to make this unique Family of Parrots costumeby Elena DeLimaAs you can see in the pictures above, my girls had a terrific time "being parrots" for Halloween...and I did, too! This is an enjoyable costume to make for kids; you'll feel so emotionally rewarded when you see the fun they have "flying" around!Here are the materials you'll need to make each suit for the Family of Parrots costumes: About 70 Inch length fabrics one color 70 inch length fabric other colors T-shirt in a matching color; leggings in the same color (to be worn under the costume) 2 pc. of thick papers for beak and eyes Sewing supplies: thread, scissors, sewing machine will be big help. Making the Parrot WingsTo make your Parrot Wings, you'll be starting with a Base Piece 70 inches wide by 48 inches long in the color of your choice.1. Lay the piece widthwise on the floor or large table. 2. Fold the top edge down towards you so that about eight inches overlaps at the top. This will be for the first layer of feathers. 3. Iron the material so there is a sharp crease across the top. 4. Now cut the material in a straight line, across the bottom, 15 inches from the bottom. This will be for the fifth layer of feathers. (The bottom edge of the base will become layer number six later on). 5. Take the 15 inch piece that you just cut and lay it on top of the original piece, six inches from the top, and underneath of the eight inch fold. 6. Sew this piece across its top, to the base piece. Layer number two - (different color), 70 inches wide by 13 inches long. 1. Place this piece widthwise underneath of the eight inch flap that you made on the base piece. 2. Sew layer number two to the base piece by sewing across the top of the folded over eight inch flap that you made from the base piece. Layer number three - (different color), 70 inches wide by 13 inches long. 1. Place this piece widthwise underneath of the first and second layers, two and one half inches from the top fold on the base. 2. Sew into place in a straight line to the base. Layer number four – (different color), 70 inches wide by 13 inches long. 1. Place this piece widthwise underneath of layers one, two, and three, six inches from the top fold of the base. 2. Sew into place in a straight line to the base. (This assembly is now the wings and is ready to be cut and shaped). Cutting and Shaping the Bird's Wings 1. With the whole assembly laid out in front of you, start at a point on the bottom, 17 inches from the center and cut in a symmetrical curve outward and upward towards the upper, outer corners. This will give the wings a more rounded "bird-like" shape. 2. Cut 3 to five inch fingers in each of the six layers at one and a half to two inches apart. (These are the feathers) 3. Sew all edges of each feather to keep them from unraveling. 4. Using safety pins, pin the wings to a color coordinated shirt to be worn with the costume. The wings are now finished! Creating the Parrot's HeadCreating the parrot's head is an important step to finishing your colorful bird's "look." Here are the instructions:1. Take two pieces of the base material, 13 inches by 13 inches, and place them on top of each other. 2. Cut both pieces at the same time, starting from the lower right corner and arching symmetrically and uniformly around to top center and then down the left side to the left bottom. 3. Sew the edges that you just cut making sure to leave the bottom opening open. (This open bottom is the opening used to put the finished bird head over your head). 4. Place the piece back down on a flat surface so that the curve is at the top and the opening is facing down. 5. Starting at the lower left corner, measure up four inches. From this point, cut a half circle two and a half inches deep and three and a half inches high, on the left side of the mask and sew the edges of the cut that you just made. This makes the opening to which you see out of. 6. Using a piece of material of a different color, cut two pieces. One piece at 24 inches by 6 inches and another piece 24 inches by 4 inches. 7. Place the 4 inch piece on top of the 6 inch piece and sew them together across the top long edge, to the base head piece, two inches from the bottom of the base. (Large opening) 8. Cut fingers along the length of the 6 inch and 4 inch piece to create feathers just as you did for the wings. 9. Sew all along the edges of the feather fingers to keep them from unraveling. 10. Using a folded, heavy piece of construction paper, cut out a beak approximately 6 inches by 3 and a half inches deep. Curve you cut to shape the beak as desired. 11. Sew the beak to the upper part of the opening of the head you just made. 12. Cut two, 2 inch circles for eyes out of the same heavy construction paper, color in spots for pupils and sew them to the head just behind the lower right corner of the beak. The head is now complete! The beak and eyes should be made from a heavy, stiff material if you plan to wash and reuse the costume multiple times. No special equipment is needed other than scissors and a sewing machine. Have fun with your kids wearing your Family of Parrots costumes!
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