Please tell me I’m not the only one who has scrambled just days before Halloween because I waited till the last minute to pull together the kids’ costumes. A few of you know exactly what I’m talking about. To say I have done it to myself on a few occasions would be an understatement. The truth is, I do it to myself every single year without fail. But on the upside I gold medal in consistency . That’s something right? This may be why I love when a costume comes together quick and easy like my simple bumble bee costume. The bee costume is one of my favorites from years past so naturally I had to include it in my homemade costume series. I hope you find it just a cute as I do!
Easy Bumble Bee Costume Tutorial
Supplies
(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience.)
•(2) Pipe cleaners (Chenille Stems) or deco mesh and wire
•(2) Pairs of White stockings/Tights
• (1) Black sweatshirt and (1)Sweatpants
• (1)Black Bennie Hat
• Yellow Fleece
• Safety pins
• Needle and Yellow thread (optional)
• White Duck Tape
• (1) Silver Glitter Foam Sheet
• (1) black Foam Sheet
• (4) Wire Coat Hangers
• Black and yellow marker
• Large Round Sunglasses
Bee Costume Construction
Let’s start with the bee antenna. When I first made this costume many years ago I simply stuck two pipe cleaners in a hat and called it done. That worked out great as you can see from this old photo of my son when he was 4.
This time around I decided to try something new so I rolled some deco mesh and wrapped wire around it.
The wire mesh antenna came out cute but to be honest, twisting deco mesh is a pain and completely unnecessary . The pipe cleaners are easier. Securing the antenna to the hat is simple, just poke the antenna into the cap and twist the ends together. For the body of the bee, cut 2 or three strips of yellow fleece and secure the fleece to the black sweatshirt with safety pins or tack on with a few stitches. I lightly hand stitched the fleece so it would be easy to remove after Halloween and the sweatshirt can be worn again.
The stinger is a foam sheet rolled into a cone and secured with a dab of hot glue. I pinned the stinger on the back of the sweatshirt with safety pins.
Homemade wings
For the wings, unwind 4 wire hangers and shape into 4 oblong wing shapes. Secure the ends with white duck tape. This will also help the keep the ends of the hanger from poking through the stockings. Place the wire wing shape into the feet of the stocking. Cut the stocking and secure with tape.
To add more detail I drew on the wings with a black marker and colored the lines with a yellow marker.
I taped all 4 wings together and wrapped a small piece of black foam around the tape. I added a dab of hot glue to keep the black foam closed and attached the wings to the sweatshirt with safety pins.
The last step is to add some oversized sunglasses and the bee costume is complete! Easy Breezy! (I found the sunglasses at Five and Below)
By the way isn’t my little model handsome? My teenage boys are too big to model this little costume so to get a picture I scooped up my costume and ran next door to borrow my best friend’s kids. Without missing a beat my little buddy Boston put on my bee sweatshirt and pants and walked outside in the 80 degree heat and let me photo him. Best kid ever! He’s as kind as he is cute but that’s no surprise because so is his mom. Love you Abby
If you missed last week’s costume you can check it out here…
Coming up next in the costume series we will be talking about using fabric, patterns and costume sewing tips. I will also share the tutorial on how I made the walking bush. (see video below)
Happy Creating,
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Jen, I love all the attention to the details. The pretty feelers on the top and the detailed drawing of the wings. Anyone would be proud to wear a costume like this.
I know I’ve told you before, but you are one crazy talented lady…and I meant that like very talented, but maybe a bit of crazy thrown in too. That costume is fantastic and your little model? Oh my…wishing that he’ll show up at my door on Halloween.
Thanks for always inspiring.
Hugs, Lynn
So cute! I love it! Thanks for sharing.
Jenny, no, you are not the only one! LOL I used to go out each year on Halloween and purchase bunches of costumes and masks on clearance, this helped when I fell into the “last minute” costume creation! LOL The kids and their friends would play with them all year round. So fun.
I love this costume for the ease in creating it. It is so cute. And those wings!?! Those are my favorite part. The tights really look like wings and the marker lines on them are so cool!
As always, great job! I love it!
So cute! I am making a ladybug costume for my daughter. I love how you made the wings. Great idea!! Thanks for linking up with #waywow
Thank you Becky. A lady bug would be sooo cute. I hope you post it. I love to see other homemade costumes
Have great week, Jenny
Such a cutie!! And an awesome costume too. Thanks for sharing the tutorial!
Thank you so much Sarah!
You are very talent and creative. I could never do this. I wish I had a small portion of your creativity in me, but I dont’t.
Thank you Ivory. You are so kind. I promise its easier than it may look.
Have a wonderful week, Jenny