How to Make a Harry Potter Monster Book of Monsters Costume

When the final Harry Potter book came out, my kids wanted to go to the book release party and experience all the fun and festivities. But the thing they were looking forward to the most was the costume contest. Because I knew that most kids would be dressed as either Harry Potter or Hermione Granger, I knew we wanted to try a slightly different costume. It was while I was browsing the Internet that I realized I could come up with an amazing costume that I could make at home. Here are the instructions for making your own Monster Book of Monster's Costume, modeled after the unforgettable book that tried to attack anyone who got near it.

First you will need a large cardboard box. Determine how large you want the costume to be, and make sure that it can fit underneath the child's arms. It should be large enough to easily slide on over their head. Cut two panels that are an identical size and one that is the same height, but a smaller width. To give you an example, we have two sides that are 20" X 24", and one that is 10" X 24". The two wider panels form the front and back of the book, and the smaller panel forms the spine.

Next, you will need to purchase some short pile fun fur. This can be bought at almost any fabric store, and comes in many different colors. The "pile" refers to how long the fur fibers are. In this case, you want to get short fur. Purchase enough to completely cover the front, back, and spine, plus a quarter yard. If you wish, you can also cover the inside of the costume, and you will need to purchase enough fabric to do so. The color is somewhat unimportant, but I suggest a grey or black for the most accurate look. You should also get some thin, very stiff white fabric, black ribbon, iron on letters, and several packages of teddy bear eyes.

First, you will need to spread the fabric out on the floor, with the furry side down. Place your cardboard pieces on top and space them so that there is a little overlap on each side, and also so that there is a little space in between the cardboard panels. Approximately 1/2 to 1 inch should suffice. This allows the costume to fold easily without damaging the cardboard. Use some chalk or masking tape, on the wrong side, to mark where the cardboard will be placed. Set the cardboard aside.

In the space where the spine will be, use your iron-on letters to spell out Monster Book of Monsters on the furry side of the fabric. Once you have it arranged perfectly, iron this on. Use caution because fun fur tends to melt very easily. Because of the pile of the fur, it will be very easy to get them improperly spaced, or for them to shift, even after they have been ironed on. As long as you get them mostly in place, it will look like it should. While the iron is hot, take your white fabric and accordion fold it. With each fold, iron it so that the fold is semi-permanently pressed into the fabric. The steam setting will help with this. Next, use the teddy bear eyes and set them into five groups of five or six eyes apiece. Poke tiny holes into the fabric, and set the teddy bear eyes into the fabric so that you can see the groups of eyes peeking out from the fur. These should be clumped together randomly, and not placed in any recognizable order. You may also use "googly eyes" to create the effect. Simply use hot glue to attach them. After you finish this step, you are ready to start gluing the costume together.

Spread out your fabric and place the first of your cardboard pieces back into your chalk lines. Heat up a glue gun. Start at one edge and place about three lines of glue onto the cardboard. Before the glue can cool, press it very carefully, but very precisely onto the wrong side of the fur. Let it cool for a minute and then do three more lines. Repeat this, proceeding up the cardboard panel until the whole cardboard piece is finished. After finishing one side, check to make sure it is holding well, then move to the spine. Repeat the steps for gluing the spine and the other book face in place. When you encounter a clump of eyes, press them lightly into the cardboard, making sure to gently poke small holes into the cardboard. After you have finished with all three panels, Go around the edges and fold them over so that they line the edges of the cardboard. Glue these in place. If you have decided to line the costume, do so at this time.

While the glue gun is hot, glue the white accordion folded fabric to each side of the open book. This will resemble pages of a book. If you find the book is too flimsy, you can use hot glue to attach white wired ribbon so that it holds its shape. Have the child try the costume on and determine how much ribbon you will need to hold the costume on their shoulders. Lightly sew it on, and then strengthen it with hot glue.

Finally, you will need to form the fangs. Make some fangs that are about 4 inches long, shaped like elongated triangles. You will need four of these. After gluing or stitching them in the proper shape, you should make sure they have a very straight edge, and glue them in the middle of the book, near the "pages". Place two next to each other, and two on the other side of the book.

One helpful hint for wearing this costume: if the costume slips down, take a small piece of ribbon and tie the straps together in the back. This will tighten them up, making it difficult to slip.

My son wore this costume to the book release party as planned. He entered the costume contest and won, despite some very professional costumes. The judges loved the creativity, and told him that it was their favorite costume. As a prize, my son won the last book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" for free. While over 700 others stood in line, he was the first one in the entire store to get the book. He was very excited, and this book is certain to be a treasured prize for a long time to come, not just because it was the last Harry Potter book, but because he was proud of his costume.