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Quick and Easy Shepherd Costume (with ideas for the rest of the Nativity)

Yesterday I posted how I created a 90 minute Joseph costume.  Today I’ll show you how I made my 9 month old a shepherd costume in less than 45 minutes.

SUPPLIES

Didn’t cost me a thing – I had everything at home!

Two different colored pieces of fabric
Thin Goody hair band (preferably one that compliments your choice of fabric!)
Clear thread for your machine

SHEPHERD ROBE

Refer to the instructions in THIS post underneath the heading JOSEPH’S ROBE.

SHEPHERD BELT

  • Cut three long pieces of fabric (mine were nearly 6 ft. by four feet) – one the color of your robe, two a complimentary color.  Don’t worry about making them straight or neat.
  • Holding three pieces of fabric, tie a knot at one end.
  • I used my knees to hold the knotted end while I braided the fabric.
  • Knot the end when finished and trim excess/uneven fabric.
Yes I know the picture quality is less than perfect, but give me credit I was using both my hands and both legs in order to take this picture!

SHEPHERD HEADBAND

Super easy – put the goody headband on your child. 🙂  I tied a knot in mine so that it fit better on Noah’s head.

Here’s my precious little shepherd boy!  I even found him a lamb in the bottom of the toy box!

And now a full body shot because he’s just that cute!

NATIVITY CHARACTER IDEA DOWNLOAD

My Christmas costume making is likely finished for this year (although Elijah wants to know where my Mary costume is . . . ), but you may have some more parts to fill before the big day.  Here are some ideas for the rest of the Nativity gang:

ANGEL

Make the robe as linked above out of white satin.  Add a gold belt or sash and a gold garland halo.

MARY

Make the robe as linked above out of light blue fabric.  Make a headpiece for Mary that can be draped over her head like a shawl using a 60″X30″ piece of white or blue fabric.  Hem sides and you’re good to go.

JOSEPH

WISE MEN

Make the robe as linked above and the tunic from THIS post (under heading JOSEPH’S TUNIC).  I would choose rich, bold complimentary colors out of satin fabric (I’m thinking deep purple, green, red, blue, yellow, gold, silver . . .).  Crowns can be made by using gold poster paper (thick/heavy grade – simple triangular peaks will do) and gluing costume gemstones on (in colors that match your costume).

MANGER ANIMALS

My friend Mindy made her daughter’s adorable Halloween costumes for the last two years.  In 2010 she was a bunny.  In 2011 she was a puppy.  You could easily adapt her costume directions to make a sheep , donkey, cow, or horse by changing the shapes of your ears and tails and the colors of your fabrics.

Hope you and the kiddos get to enjoy your very own real life Nativity this year!