Tutorial: Olympic Gymnast Costume {halloween DIY}

When my BFF, and queen of Halloween costumes, Kristy Glass, let her 2012 costume idea slip, my girls took one look at the idea and demanded we run with it too.  Today, I’ve teamed up with Kristy to show you how to put together your own Olympic Gymnast costume because it’s just too awesome not to share and & it’s definitely not too early to get started on Halloween costumes! Did I mention there’s no sewing required?

It’s a great costume by itself and even better when you pull together a group to make the Fab Five.  I don’t know if I’ve ever seen the girls this excited for a Halloween Costume (especially since we convinced the 3 other little girls on our culdesac to be part of the group).  Olympic spirit is still alive and well in this house!  If it’s the same in your house, I guarantee this costume will be a HUGE hit.

Step 1: Bling your leotard

Supplies: Leotard, iron-on rhinestones, jewel setting tool or jewel glue

You might already have a leotard hanging around the house. If not, you can pick one up on ebay (which is what I did–sorry if that grosses you out). To be an Olympic gymnast, you’re going to need MORE sparkles.  Iron-on rhinestones are the easiest way to boost the bling.

Be careful setting your rhinestones with a hot tool as it will melt the leotard fabric.  I found it helpful to stretch leotard over a small dress form.  Since most people don’t have a child size dress form, try a stretching the leotard over a ball or the ironing board.  If a hot jewel setting tool scares you, tweezers and jewel glue is also a great option.

Step 2: Spruce up your warm up suit

I picked up grey athletic jackets for my fab five at Old Navy and the flag appliques from from Fahionartprojects.com. But, if you want to see how to make something even closer to the Fab Five original, check out Kristy’s tutorial for making an amazingly detailed Olympic Gymnast warm up jacket from a plain heather gray hoodie.

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Step 3: Add accessories – Gold Medal & Bouquet

A good costume is all in the details.

Supplies: gold glitter foam sheet, 1 yard purple ribbon, scrapbook letters. glitter glue, glue (not shows), glitter (optional)

Cut foam into circles (I used a drinking glass to trace the shape). Draw Olympic rings with glitter glue.  I sprinkled the glitter glue with additional glitter to make it match the glitter foam perfectly.  Once the glue dries, you’ll get a very subtle ring pattern.

Cut a piece of ribbon about 34″ long and glue to the back of medal (once the glue is dry). Add letters scrapbook letters to spell “London 2012”

And now for the “winners” bouquet:

Supplies: Silk Flowers (I picked mine up at the dollar store), rubber band, 1 yard purple ribbon.

Arrange the flowers into a tight pack and secure with a rubber band.  Tie with ribbon.

Step 4: Don’t forget the hair & makeup

Your Olympic gymnast costume isn’t complete without the proper glittery hair and dramatic make-up.  Kristy put together a great video tutorial on how to create Olympic gymnast hair and make-up to help you achieve the perfect look.  Find it HERE.

(BTW, McKayla is a hero in our house. We’re not being mean. We don’t think she’s a brat. We understand what it feels like to feel disappointed in ourselves when we don’t do as well as we should. We love how she’s handled the “McKayla is not impressed” attention with humor, confidence and total awesomeness.)

Costume ideas from Halloweens past:

Fancy Nancy & The Empress from Neverending Story

Mary Poppins

Elphaba from Wicked

A Flying Monkey (from the Wizard of Oz)

Batgirl

The Justice League

Rapunzel from Tangled

Quick Black Eyed “P”

Baby Beavis (& Butthead)

Thrifted Motocross Racer

DIY Supermom

Semi-homemade Gypsy

disclosure: I was provided product free of charge from FashionArtProjects.com. The opinions and ideas expressed are all my own.

Tagged as: halloween