16 DIY T-Shirt Costume Ideas • Heather Handmade

Get inspired to make one of these easy and quick DIY T-shirt costumes for Halloween! They work great for both kids or adults and boys or girls!

Halloween is coming up fast and you might need a quick and easy last minute costume idea! The best way to make a simple costume is to base it on a t-shirt.

T-shirt costumes work great for warmer atmospheres like a party, work, or warm weather areas. You can make so many characters and costumes starting with a t-shirt!

Some of these projects require something to be put on the t-shirt like heat transfer vinyl, felt, or a cape. Some of the projects have fabric sewn onto them to turn the t-shirt into something more. Some of these projects are a t-shirt with added accessories to create the right look.

Which one is your favorite?

Do you like making costumes and sewing for Halloween? Check out these ideas!

Why Make DIY Costumes?

I love to make DIY costumes for my kids for lots of different reasons. I love that I can make something unique that they want and that they’ll love. We live in a cold area so I always have to plan costumes to be warm so that they don’t have to wear a jacket or coat over it.

I almost always save money by reusing fabric and clothing from my stash and around our home, and I have found that reusing clothing saves me time.

Homemade DIY costumes use stronger and more durable fabric that will last through months and years of dress up and play time. I love that the costumes will last longer than one night of trick-or-treating.

Where to get solid clothes?

I have a couple of different places where I look for solid clothing for children. It all depends on what I’m looking for and what I need.

When I need a solid matching set (like a t-shirt and leggings or a sweatshirt and sweatpants), I first look at primary.com. There are so many basic options in all the styles I love.
When I need a t-shirt or sweatshirt in a very specific color, I first look at Jiffy Shirts. There are so many colors in different t-shirt blends.
When I need something fast and I’m not picky about the color, I look at Walmart* either for my pickup or shopping in person.

DIY T-Shirt Costume Ideas

Star Wars Inspired T-Shirts with Free SVGs

Make some Star Wars inspired t-shirts with free SVG cut files. They are great for easy t-shirt Halloween costumes or just everyday tees.

Easy DIY Pirate Costume

Make this DIY pirate costume for an easy Halloween costume. It’s perfect for a child with a big imagination and uses stuff from their closet.

DIY Calvin and Hobbes Costume

Learn how to make a DIY Calvin and Hobbes costume for a boy or man. Use regular clothes and add a stuffed tiger for a quick and easy costume.

Easy DIY Mermaid Inspired Dress

Learn how to make an easy DIY mermaid inspired dress that is perfect for a comfortable and playful dress up or a simple Halloween costume.

DIY Witch Costume

Learn how to make an easy DIY witch costume by adding lace to a black dress! Add a witch hat, black shoes, and a DIY witch broom for a fun Halloween costume!

DIY Ghost Mermaid Costume

Learn how to make a DIY ghost mermaid costume with a mermaid dress and a white cape. This costume is the perfect mix of cute and creepy.

DIY Hercules Costume T-Shirt

Learn how to make a DIY Hercules Costume that is just a t-shirt. It’s easy to wear and easy to make with a t-shirt, HTV, and some blue fabric.

DIY Gryffindor Inspired T-Shirt

Make a DIY Gryffindor inspired t-shirt with the Cricut Maker and Cricut Access. Only true Harry Potter fans will recognize this design.

DIY Camp Half Blood T-Shirt

Learn how to make a DIY camp half-blood t-shirt with a shirt, fabric, and HTV. Sew on a fabric pocket and add the words for a quick costume!

DIY Princess in Black Costume

Learn how to make a DIY Princess in Black costume using HTV and some black fabric. Add in a cape, black pants, and black shoes for an easy DIY costume!

DIY Toad Costume (From Mario)

Learn how to make a DIY Toad costume inspired by the Mario Nintendo character. Add DIY accessories to clothing you have for a quick project!

DIY Cupcake Costume

Learn how to make a DIY cupcake costume with felt, felt balls, and an upcycled dress. This costume is fun and cute, but it’s so easy to wear!

DIY Scissors Costume

Learn how to make a DIY scissors costume that can be worn over your clothes. This is great for rock, paper, scissors, or a sewing inspired costume!

DIY Pincushion Costume

Learn how to make a DIY pincushion costume with a red t-shirt and a strawberry headband. Wear a t-shirt and jeans for this sewing inspired costume.

Easy DIY Charlie Brown Costume

Learn how to make a DIY Charlie Brown costume with a t-shirt and HTV. This is the perfect easy Halloween costume for a bald man.

Easy DIY Mr. Clean Costume

Learn how to put together an easy DIY Mr. Clean costume for a bald man with a white t-shirt, a gold clip-on earring, and a fake white mustache.

If you make something using this sewing project, I’d love to see! Please share it on social media with the hashtag #heatherhandmade and tag me!