I have been very organised this year, and finished my Halloween costume! I’ve known for a while that I wanted to go as a bat and I was inspired by this bat wing costume tutorial for kids. I’ve put my own twist on the tutorial by giving the bat wings a long tail and extending the end of the wings using chopsticks. In these pictures, I’m wearing the wings over a black top, my disco pants and some super high heels I bought in sale in Topshop in my first year at York. And here’s how I made them 
You will need:2 metres of thick black fabric
Glue gun and glue
Sewing machine
2 chopsticks
Measuring tape
Scissoirs
Needle and thread
Step 1: Take your measurements and sketch out the wing shape. Okay, so this is the part that looks most complicated but it’s actually nto that difficult. First, fold your fabric widthwise. Then take your measurements and use them to draw a bat shape that fits you, using the photo above. Length 1 is half of the distance from underarm to underarm. Length 2 is half of the circumference of your shoulder. Length 3 is the distance from the top of your shoulder to your wrist. Length 4 is half the circumference of your wrist. Length 5 is the length of your chopstick and length 6 is an inch.
Once you have used those measurements to draw on the top of your costume, draw on the loops of the bat wing, until your each the bottom of the fold of your fabric. Then cut out your wings! Phew, that’s the tricky bit over.
Step 2: Hem the whole top edge of your bat costume (lengths 1. 3, 4 and 5.)
Step 3: To make the sleeve, fold the top of your costume and sew length 3 onto the fabric. Length A (above) should be half the circumference of your shoulder. Do this for both sleeves.
Step 4: Glue the chopsticks into the fold at the end of your wings (I used my glue gun for this.)
Step 5: Cut two small strips of fabric from your strips and wrap them around your finger. Pin them in place, remove them from your finger and then glue them in place. Try on your wings and mark where the bottom of your index finger touches the fabric. Glue each fabric ring to your wings at this point, as above.
Ta da, finished!
I had a lot of fun test running my Halloween costume and make up! I decided that smiley photos wouldn’t be very scary but I’m not sure about my moody face in these pictures! Have you decided what you’re going as for Halloween yet?
Oh this is wickedly awesome!
Xx,
Zhenya
http://beingzhenya.com
Jess this is AMAZING! I finished mine today as well! I love it you and can’t wait to see you in it real soon
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
This is so bat-ass! Love it!
You look awesome!
This is so pretty! Perfect halloween outfit! I love your DIY wings and you really suit dark lipstick, I say continue that after halloween is over. I hope you get lots of Candy!
Emma x
So cool, have a great Halloween!
This is AWESOME!! Absolutely love these bat wings, and how mobile they’ll be as you’re walking around in your costume. Zack and I know what we’re going to be, but he always makes me keep it a secret until we reveal the costume at our first Halloween party (which will probably actually be on Halloween itself this year). We’re always a music couple (1st year: Jack & Meg White, 2nd: Kurt Cobain & Courtney Love, 3rd: Johnny & June Carter Cash). This year, it’s a somewhat obscure couple, so hopefully folks will recognize us!
Great idea! I followed your blog! Feel free to follow me back to keep in touch if you wish! <3
Adorable. =) The makeup looks great.
I love your costume! It looks great on you and it’s awesome that you made it yourself.
ahh so cute, i definitely will try this someday♥
Wow, this bat costume is effective! Great job
it looks dark and compelling, I love it! I also meant to comment on your bat decorations, they look amazing, love the bigger ones in between loads of smaller one… you’re very talented!!
this turned out awesome. Love the chop stick idea
This costume is fabulous
http://coeursdefoxes.blogspot.com/
♥
thank you so much for posting this online! I’m making it now and I hope it turns out as fabulous as yours
Thanks for your lovely comment! I hope it goes well. Let me know if you have any questions, and I’d love to see your finished costume! xx
If you don’t mind me asking, how did you get the costume to stay secured around your shoulders? ty
Because the two wings are attached, it just goes over the top of your shoulders like a cape or a cardigan. I hope that helps!
What type of fabric did you use? Thanks!