As a seasoned crafter with years of experience designing kid-friendly Halloween costumes, I love transforming everyday toys into imaginative outfits. This watercolor paint tray costume captures childhood creativity with vibrant colors, minimal sewing, and low cost—ideal for young artists hitting the town on Halloween.
The dress pattern creates a garment 24" long, 13-1/2" wide at the armholes, and 20" wide at the hem. Test-fit the printed pattern on your child and adjust as needed. Scale the paint colors, wells, and tray sizes to match. Pin the pattern to yellow drop cloth fabric and cut to size.
Cut eight 4-1/2" x 5-1/2" pieces of HeatnBond UltraHold and iron onto the back of each color fabric (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, black) per package instructions. Trace the oval template on the paper backing and cut out the ovals.
If you've resized the pattern, adjust the paint color and well templates accordingly.
Cut eight 6-1/2" x 5" pieces of HeatnBond UltraHold and iron onto white felt per package directions. Trace the oval paint well template on the paper backing and cut out. Use a craft knife to remove the center oval (save for another project).
Cut two 18-1/2" x 7" rectangles for the front and back panels; adjust if you've scaled the pattern. Round one corner on each to mimic a paint tray edge. Position the paint colors and wells inside.
Lay the tray on an ironing board. Peel the paper liner from each paint color oval and iron in place. Repeat for the paint wells, positioning them to slightly overlap the colors below.
Place the assembled paint tray diagonally across the front, from the left shoulder.
Sew the tray securely to the dress front. Repeat on the back, aligning diagonally so panels meet at one shoulder.
Cut white felt to cover the straps and sew in place. Trim excess.
Sew side seams with a 1/2” allowance. No need to hem the bottom or straps—fleece won't fray.
Fit the dress on your child, mark strap positions for hook-and-loop fasteners, and sew securely.
Cut two circles using the hat pattern (fits 20" head). Cut the inner donut from one circle. Stack pieces and sew outer edges together, right sides facing out, with a 1/4" seam.
Turn right side out and press seams with fingers for a puffy shape.
Cut a 23" x 2-1/2" felt strip and sew short ends with a 1/4" seam.
Fold lengthwise, right sides together.
Pin the band to the inner beret circle, aligning raw edges.
Sew with a 1/4" seam. Remove pins before stitching.
Cut a 2-1/2” x 1/4” strip, fold in half, and hand-sew to the hat top. Stuff with tissue paper for shape during trick-or-treating.
Spray pool noodles red and dry. Mask 10” from the top with tape and paper, then spray silver. Remove masking.
Attach pipe cleaners to the noodle top for bushy bristles.
Trim the noodle ends to height if needed. Your artist is ready for Halloween!
