Loofah (Bath Pouff) costume How to.

I am getting loads of emails about how to make this bath puff/loofah costume that my daughter wore last Hallowe'en. This is a no sew project that anyone can make. It is made in 2 pieces and can easily be removed to use the toilet if needed. You will need a tank and shorts or body suit in nude or similar color to your netting. Younger children could wear leggings and a gymnastic leotard. 

My 6 easy steps are written below along with a mock up for photos.

There are a number of ways you can make this. Essentially you need to make smaller pouffs of netting (make them with netting as you would make a pompom) and attach them to yourself. You can tie them onto a couple of pieces of elastic that goes around your waist and middle, or attach them onto a body suit. The gist is, make small pouffy bundles and attach them to yourself, kind of like how you would make a pompom. My directions are below but you can find out how bath puff #2 made hers HERE

You need 20 -25 yards of netting from Fabricland, JoAnns, Hobby Lobby or other fabric shop. Apparently Michaels does not have NETTING Please do not buy Tulle.... You need NETTING. It comes on a bolt I think is 36`tall and already folded into half.  DO NOT UNFOLD IT. It is too much to manage that way. You will also need enough elastic to make a loop around your waist and another just below your bust line. As well you need 1/4 " elastic. 8 - 10 pieces about 8" long each piece or ribbon to cinch the middle of the puff (pom pom) and tie it onto the waist band. You can add a nice corded rope to the finished pouff and a bar of soap.  Below are my instructions, with photos of a mini version I made to show you how to do this. Essentially you are making 2 waist bands to go around your middle and then attaching little pouffs (pom poms)of fabric to these waist bands all the ways around to create layers of pouffs. You can experiment to find the right length to fold them. If it hangs too low, untie the pouff and refold it into more layers to make it shorter. Different bodies will need different lengths and numbers of pouffs.

You will end up with 2 little "skirts of fabric. You put the elastic around your waist as you would a skirt. One layer will sit on top of the other. The girls in the photo are petite. If you are bigger you can make your pouffs a little longer or add a few more. You can wear leggings, shorts, bodysuit or whatever is comfy underneath.

I made a mini example with some netting. See below.

Cut 1 piece elastic to fit you waist. Cut another one to fit under your bust. Tie in a knot.

1. First take 20 yards of your netting (some of you may need 25 yards so you will have more sections )and cut it into 90" lengths. Make sure you are leaving your netting doubled 72" folded over to be 36"H (it comes that way) 

You will have eight (or more if you wish)  90" W x 36" H double thick sections.

2. Fold each of your 90" pieces into  half, and then half again so it is 4 double layers thick. and will measure about 22.5" W (or fold it into 5th's if you find your pouffs are too long) Once you fold it it will be 22.5" wide and 4 double layers thick. but you can experiment....you may need to fold it smaller so it ends up 20" W. so the pouffs are shorter. You can make some shorter, some longer. Up to you.

3. Take one of your 1/4 elastic pieces (you can use ribbon if you prefer) and tie the netting in the middle. You will have a 11.25" above the knot and 11.25" below. (IF YOU FIND IT HANGS TOO LOW REFOLD IT INTO 5THS AND MAKE EACH END 10") It will be like a bow tie or a pom pom. Same idea. If you find it too floppy make it 10" each end (20" total width tied in middle)

4. Tie 5 bundles to the waist elastic. Tie 3 bundles to the bust elastic. If you find this is not puffy enough or you need more coverage you can simply tie on some extra pouffs. IF IT HANGS TO LOW, UNDO THE POUFFS AND MAKE EACH ONE SHORTER BY FOLDING INTO 5THS NOT 4ths.

Like this.....TIE EACH POUFF TO THE WAIST BAND. YOU CAN LEAVE THE ELASTIC OR RIBBON USED TO TIE YOUR POUFFS ON HANGING DOWN, OR ONCE YOU GET IT RIGHT YOU CAN SNIP THEM A BIT SHORTER.
5. You can cut some of the folded edges to make it pouffier if you like.

6. Pouff your self up. Wear at least two layers of pouffs. You can add another layer and more pouffs at any time to accomodate your figure.