Super Easy DIY Loofah Costume

I got tons of great feedback on my loofah Halloween costume this past weekend so I thought I’d post a quick tutorial for all you last minute costume-makers. After getting the supplies (which only cost me $20 total), this costume will literally take you no more than a half hour to make, and NO sewing involved!

Step 1: Buy the supplies

All the supplies for this costume can be found at any fabric store. I got mine at JoAnn’s Fabric (with a lovely little 40% coupon). Here’s what you will need :

• 20 yards of “Nylon Matte Netting” (If you are taller than average, get 25 yards!)
• 1″ size elastic, in black or a similar color to your netting. You need enough length to cut 2 pieces to tie around your waist once and around your bust once.
• 1 package of 1/4″ size elastic, in black or white.
• A white rope (or I used 12/32″ piping from the fabric store – cheap and easy!)

Step 2: Measure and cut the netting

Measure and cut the netting into 8 pieces  (approx. 2.5 yards each). Don’t worry about the lengths being exact or the cuts being perfect – It won’t matter, I swear!

Step 3: Fold each piece of netting

First take the width of the netting and fold it in half, “hot-dog style” if you will. It’s probably already folded this way from being on the fabric roll (mine was at least!). Next fold the length of the netting into thirds, and again, don’t stress about making this perfect!

Step 4: Bundle & Tie each piece of netting

Take each piece of netting (now folded) and cinch it at the middle. Cut a small piece of the skinny (1/4″) elastic and tie it around the middle to hold it in place.

Step 5: Cut & Tie waist/bust bands

Take the 1″ size elastic and measure out two pieces, one to wrap around your waist, and one to wrap around the top of your bust. Cut & tie them.

Step 6: Attach the netting bundles to the waist/bust bands

Attach 4 bundles of netting to the waist band and the other 4 to the bust band using more skinny (1/4″) elastic.

Step 7: Put on the loofah and fluff!

Step into each “band” of netting, and pull one up right above your bust, and set the other at your waist. Fan out each piece of netting and fluff until the loofah look is achieved!

Step 8: Attach the white cord/rope

Tie the cord into a loop and either tie it around your waist or at the top of your bust. The cord is definitely the most important part of the costume so people know what you are.

What to wear underneath?

The number one question I got while wearing this was “Are you wearing anything underneath?” Come on people! Of course I was! What you wear underneath this costume actually does make a huge difference. If you can find shorts and a top that match your netting, it will really enhance the look of the costume and you also won’t have to worry about any gaps that might appear in the loofah throughout the night. For a younger kid, or for a more conserative look, just add some tights or leggings!

Questions, comments, thoughts? Let me know! And if you make a loofah for yourself I’d love to see it!!