Halloween is the perfect time to celebrate the Earth by costuming ourselves to showcase our favorite environmental cause. Single-use plastic bags are a huge threat to our environment, and what could be easier than making a canvas bag costume? It provides us with plenty of space to tout our favorite eco message to our friends, family, neighbors or co-workers. It even has a pocket to hold information cards to educate others. In about an hour and a half you can have a costume that speaks volumes about saving our planet.
Materials:
Fabric – You’ll need enough unbleached canvas (duck cloth) for your size. You will want it pretty wide so that you can easily sit down and bend over. The fabric I bought was 59 inches wide, so I got 1.25 yards.
Thread – I used upholstery thread for extra strength, but anything you have on hand will do.
Cotton Printer Sheets – These are optional, but I used one to print off the logo of my favorite anti-plastic bag organization, Right Bag at ‘Ya. (See photo at right.) You can also use fabric paint or permanent marker to write your message.
Instructions:
Cutting – Cut one piece 59 inches wide by 34 inches long. This is for the body. Cut one piece six inches wide by five inches tall. This is for a pocket that is used to hold information cards on your special cause. Cut two pieces four inches wide by 21 inches long. These will be your straps.
Printing – If using a printer sheet, now is the time to print your image onto it following manufacturer’s instructions.
Hems – Hem both the top and bottom edges of the body piece, all four edges of the pocket, and all four edges of your printer sheet (if you use one).
Construction – 1) Right sides together, sew up the length edge of the body piece. You will now have a wide tube. The seam will be the back of the costume. 2) Sew the bottom and side edges of your pocket onto the front middle of the body, so that the bottom edge of the pocket is about 13 inches up from the bottom edge of the costume. 3) If using a printer sheet, sew all four edges onto the front middle of the body so that the top edge is about three inches down from the top edge of the costume. 4) Press down a small hem along both long edges of both straps. 5) Fold in half lengthwise with wrong sides together and pressed hems inside. Press. 6) Top stitch the long sides with the pressed under hems. 7) Sew straps to the inside of the body, with the far side about nine inches from the edge of body on both front and back.
You will need to adjust the body size and strap placement to fit, but this is a super easy costume to sew. Whether you promote solar energy or denounce single-use plastics, you’re sure to make a positive environmental impact.