✨ From haunted party planning spreadsheets to last-minute costume fixes, I’ve mastered the art of Halloween magic—testing, fixing fails, and discovering solutions that actually work.
😅 Are you scrambling for a simple, adorable costume? Do you need something fast that doesn’t require a single stitch? I’ve been there, trying to whip up a costume an hour before a party.
👑 That’s why in this post, I’ll show you exactly how to solve that challenge with a trick I’ve taught in my DIY workshops for years. Stick with me, and you’ll learn how to craft a spooktacular costume in minutes while creating magical memories with your loved ones! 🎃
Time Required: Under 30 minutes
Budget Level: Low ($10-$15)
Skill Level: Beginner (Kid-friendly!)
What You’ll Need 🦇
Here are the simple materials to bring your bat wings to life.
- ✅ 1 large sheet of black felt (or two smaller ones)
- ✅ A long-sleeved black shirt or hoodie
- ✅ Fabric glue (👑 Nancy’s Pick: I swear by ‘Fabri-Tac’ because it dries clear, is super strong, and bonds almost instantly!)
- ✅ A piece of chalk or a white colored pencil
- ✅ Sharp scissors
- ✅ A ruler or measuring tape
Step 1: Create Your Wing Shape ✍️
First, we need to get the size and shape just right. My go-to trick for this is using the person’s own arm span as a guide to ensure a perfect fit.
- 1. Have the person who will wear the wings lay the black shirt flat on the floor.
- 2. Lay the felt underneath the shirt.
- 3. Measure from the shirt’s collar to the end of the sleeve cuff. Then, measure from the armpit down to the bottom hem of the shirt. These two measurements will be the height and width of your wings.
- 4. Using your chalk, draw a scalloped, bat-wing edge connecting those two points. Don’t worry about making it perfect—wavy and spooky is the goal!
💡 Pro-Tip: To make your wings perfectly symmetrical, fold the felt in half before you draw. Sketch half a wing shape along the fold, cut it out, and when you unfold it, you’ll have two identical sides!
image-1: A black long-sleeved shirt laid flat on top of a sheet of black felt, with chalk lines showing the wing shape from the cuff to the bottom hem.
Step 2: Cut Out the Felt ✂️
Now for the easiest part! A mistake I always see is people using dull scissors, which can fray the felt. Make sure yours are nice and sharp for a clean cut.
- 1. Carefully cut along the chalk line you drew.
- 2. If you used the folding trick, you’ll now have one large, connected wing piece. If you used two separate pieces of felt, just make sure they mirror each other.
⚠️ Safety First: These scissors are sharp! If you have little ones helping, this is a great step for an adult to handle.
image-2: A pair of hands using sharp scissors to cut along the scalloped chalk line on the black felt.
Step 3: Attach the Wings to the Shirt 🕸️
This is where the no-sew magic happens. After testing dozens of adhesives over the years, I can tell you that a good fabric glue is your best friend for a durable, lasting hold.
- 1. Lay your black shirt face down on a flat surface.
- 2. Run a generous line of fabric glue down the back of one sleeve, from the cuff all the way to the armpit area.
- 3. Run another line of glue down the side of the shirt, from the armpit to the bottom hem.
- 4. Carefully press one side of your felt wing onto the glue lines, making sure it’s secure.
- 5. Repeat on the other side. Let it dry completely according to the glue’s instructions (usually about 20-30 minutes).
👑 Nancy’s Golden Rule: The best Halloween DIYs are the ones that are fun, not frustrating. This no-sew method gives you a high-impact look with minimal effort.
image-3: The finished bat wings glued onto the back of the black shirt, laid flat to dry.
How to Style Your Bat Wings ✨
A question I get all the time on my Instagram is, “Nancy, I made the wings, now what?” Styling this costume is the best part because it’s so simple!
- Go All Black: Pair the shirt with black pants or a black skirt.
- Add Some Ears: A simple bat-ear headband instantly completes the look.
- Simple Makeup: Use black eyeliner to draw a couple of small bats on your cheek or go for a smoky eye.
And just like that, you’re ready to fly into the night!
What quick and easy costume are you planning for Halloween this year? Let me know in the comments below
