Make Your Own Halloween Costume with a Mask Pattern or Stencils

Want to learn how to make a costume using a mask pattern? Well, you should know…

Halloween is sneaking up on you and if you’re caught without a costume, it could be scary! Don’t scream. With a creative mask pattern or stencil you have the start of a unique costume. Plus you’ll have a great time making it yourself. And as you may have guessed, there are many ways to use stencils to create a costume. We are going to explore several of them here. So, let’s get to it and don’t be scared.

OK! So there aren’t too many stencils out there that are specifically designed as a Halloween mask pattern. But there are a few so we need to mention those first. Designs From Penny has some unique options for you.

You’ll find four Scary Halloween Mask patterns for you to paint on paper for cut out masks like those pictured above. It’s very easy. These stencils have several overlays so that the detail really comes out. All you have to do is to cut out the stencil overlays for the mask you want to make, apply a different color of paint for each overlay to a piece of paper (something thick that will stand up is recommended), cut out the mask and attach stings to the sides. That’s it. Pretty simple, right? Well, keep reading to get some hints on how to complete each costume and some other great costume ideas plus a free witch hat pattern.

At Designs From Penny you’ll also find three half masks (like those pictured here). These fun craft masks are created by cutting out pieces of felt or craft foam and gluing them together. It’s not too far of a stretch from the paint method we usually associate with stencils and I think you’ll enjoy the outcome.

These are two great options that give you a variety of ways to be creative. Best of all they are very inexpensive printable Halloween mask patterns that allow you to adjust the size to fit and each one comes with complete instructions.

Because these Halloween craft masks are printable, you can adjust the size to fit by reducing or enlarging on a copy machine. That means that they can be made for adults or children. Why not have some real fun and dress the whole family in the same costume (like a pack of wolves or a band of dead pirates)?

Let me just mention another creative way to use these stencils designed for Halloween masks. Try using the old stand-by sheet for a ghost costume but paint any of these stencils in the face area and cut out the eyes on the pattern. Use a little creativity and decorate the rest of the sheet too.

But just because these Halloween stencils and patterns were designed as masks doesn’t mean that they can’t be used for a large variety of other Halloween crafts such as: paint them on a bag for collecting your treats; paint them on the corner of a napkin to decorate your festive table; or paint it on colored paper for decorating the windows or doors. There are many other ways to use these wonderful designs to embellish your holiday decorations.

And speaking of the many possibilities that stencils give us to decorate, here are some more creative and easy ideas.

When we were kids we loved making our own costumes except we didn’t have all the fancy stuff like felt and craft foam or patterns from the internet (I’m dating myself aren’t I?). It didn’t matter because we had a ball coming up with ideas using the things we could easily find around the house.

Here is one of our tried and true methods of mask making. I just added a new twist since we have the ease of the internet. Take large paper bags (big enough so that you can slide it over the head). Paint the bag orange and then use a stencil for pumpkin carving to cut out the face on the front of the bag. You can find plenty of printable stencils on the internet. You may need to trim out for the shoulders so that the bag can come down low in the front and don’t forget to cut out holes around the ears for good hearing. It’s quick, easy and best of all free!

Halloween stencils offer an easy way to trick (or treat!) out a t-shirt. Use an old one from the closet or purchase a new one (old is preferable). If you have an orange shirt, use black fabric paint to put the image from a pumpkin carving stencil across the front of the shirt. If you have a black shirt handy then use orange or white fabric paint. For more information on using stencils to put images on t-shirts, head over to our page on Fabric Stenciling.

Now let’s come up with a few ideas to finish off the masks mentioned above and some others.

Feel like howling at the moon? A wolf mask is easy to complete as a costume with a gray t-shirt and gray sweat pants.

Big fan of pirates? They are all the craze now. A pirate mask (or the Pirate Skull Half Mask) can be completed with a blousy white shirt, an old pair of jeans that are cut ragged at the bottom, a wide leather belt and an old pair of boots. Tie a red bandana around the upper arm or thigh.

Feel like a feline? Black cats are always popular at Halloween. Complete a cat mask with a black turtle neck shirt, black leggings and a black feather boa for a tail.

Want to be Frankie Baby? That’s an easy one! Dress up the mask with an old plaid flannel shirt, a ragged pair of jeans and a pair of work boots.

Are you a Witch? I mean for Halloween! You need to have an old loose fitting black dress (try a thrift store if you don’t have one that you can use) and a broom. Here’s a pattern for a Witch Hat . It’s a pdf file for you to print. It’s free. Enjoy!

Now come on! I know there are hundreds of other great ideas out there that need to be shared and shown off. Please visit the Stencil Blog to fill us in on what you’ve been doing.

I know how creative you can be when you get started so don’t be frightened to try something new. Create a costume using a stencil or mask pattern and finish up with some other fun ideas. I hope your Halloween is a real Scream!

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