"It's-a-me, Mario" Costume

"It's-a-me, Mario!" Here's a quick and easy DIY with photos for the Mario costume that I created for Grandson Alex.  Included are directions for the hat and "fake" buttons as well as tips for the other costume items. Ready? "Let's-a-go!"

Grandson Alex loves Mario: Mario stuffed toy, Mario backpack, the Mario Wii game, everything Mario! So, of course, it was a "no-brainer" for his Halloween costume this year: Mario!!


The Hat

I checked online, and Maria Hat prices range in price from $10.00 to $14.99. I bought this red hat at Hobby Lobby for $2.99 and painted it myself!

I experimented with lids to see which size circle and "M" fit the hat better.

 

Next, I drew and cut the circle and "M" out of Contact Paper.



I peeled the backing from the Contact Paper and stuck the "M" and circle on the hat. I pressed the Contact Paper down as I drew around the M and circle with a paint pen.



I then used Shiny Fabric Paint Writers to paint the spaces. It took 2-3 coats of paint to cover the red of the hat, and I let the paint dry thoroughly between coats. When finished and dry, I peeled off the Contact Paper and outlined the circle and "M" with a fabric paint pen.

"YIPPIE"!! The Mario hat is finished!!

"Yippie"

The Buttons

I didn't have large yellow buttons, so I decided to make "fake buttons". I bought a 9" x 12" sheet of yellow "Silly Winks Sticky Back Sheets" at Hobby Lobby for $0.89. This is a type of art foam sheet with a removable paper backing.

I used a small 3 oz. paper cup to draw around the bottom onto the "Silly Winks" sheet with a black Sharpie Marker. 

I played around with the Sharpie Marker to see how many holes to have on the button and decided on 2 holes and cut them out.

To make the buttons more sturdy, I also used the paper cup to draw 2 circles on a plastic milk jug with a Sharpie Marker. I carefully cut them out with scissors. I removed the backing from the yellow circles and stuck them on the circles from the milk jug.

I could not use button covers to attach the "fake buttons" to the overalls because the shank of the metal buttons was too big, so here's how I did it:

I used the sharp end of a compass to punch holes through the two holes in the button. I then "threaded" 2-6" pieces of thin coated white wire through the holes and twisted it twice. These wires can be twisted around the metal buttons on the overalls after Alex is dressed.

The Gloves

I searched online for white children's gloves, and they were $5.00 and up. These white gloves were a fantastic find at Walmart: 2 pairs (a pink pair and a white pair) for $0.99!!


Etc.

• The set of 7 Moustaches was purchased at Dollar Tree for $1.00. A word of caution: they are peel and stick, and they really stick!! It was difficult to get it off! I would recommend double-sided tape or sew thin elastic to the ends of the moustache and wear it like a mask.
• Cost of the actual costume was minimal. The bibbed-overalls and red shirt can be worn anytime. (without the fake buttons!)
• We could not find a solid red sweatshirt, so Alex is wearing this sweatshirt that actually has a graphic on it. (The overalls cover the graphic.) For the school party, he is wearing a solid red long-sleeved t-shirt under the overalls.
• Coated wire can be purchased in the Wedding Section of Craft Shops.
• Yes, Mario will be wearing shoes for Halloween!

I used these sites for inspiration:
http://www.makermama.com/2012/10/last-minute-mario-and-luigi-costumes.html
http://www.darrenwashere.com/learningtech/thriftshop-super-mario-costume-diy/

 

 

It's-a-me, Mario!! Let's-a-go!!