DIY Bat Costume Accessories

These easy DIY Bat Costume Accessories can be made in minutes for a simple, last-minute Halloween costume idea!

There's always a need for a last-minute costumes, especially around Halloween. To help you in your time of panic, I've put together a little set of Bat Costume Accessories that can be cut by hand or with your Cricut! The matching bat bow and mask are so simple to make using Oly*Fun, but will look like you spent all day making them. Talk about trick AND treat!!

The base of the bat accessories are made with Oly*Fun. It is such a versatile fabric that can be used for practically everything; including decorating, costumes, kids crafts, and so much more! Oly*Fun doesn't fray, so you can sew it, glue it, staple it, pin it, or tie it together. It comes in a variety of colors, but you will only need black for this project.

Download the Bat Mask + Bow Cut Files (personal use only). There are multiple file types in the download, so you can use it on your Cricut (or other cutting machine) or print the template out to cut the pieces out with scissors.

When cutting Oly*Fun on a Cricut, use the pink FabricGrip mat, Rotary Blade, and cut using the "Burlap" material setting.

For some added sparkle, I also cut the Bat Accessory pieces out of black glitter HTV. After cutting the vinyl, use weeding tools to remove the excess pieces. Lay the HTV face-down on an EasyPress Mat. Line the Oly*Fun piece on top of the vinyl, and then use heat-resistant tape to hold the fabric in place. Repeat for both bow pieces.

Carefully turn the pieces over and lay them flat on the mat. Turn the EasyPress Mini to the second setting. Once it's up to temperature, run it over the glitter HTV carrier sheet to adhere the vinyl to the Oly*Fun. 

**Do NOT put heat directly on Oly*Fun!! It WILL melt!!**

Peel the carrier sheets away from all three bat accessory pieces. If you notice that the vinyl isn't stuck on in any places, cover the vinyl again with the carrier sheet and press it again.

DIY Bat Mask

There's a lot of ways that you can customize the bat mask. One simple and fun way is by adding a bit of bling with adhesive gems! They come in a rainbow of colors and multiple sizes and shapes to fit any personality. Kids of any age will have a blast customizing their masks!

If you have younger kids, you may want to use a single length of elastic instead so that it can be removed or put on a little more easily. For older kids and adults, you can cut two 8"-10" lengths of black ribbon to tie the mask on.

Turn the mask over to attach the ties to the mask. Add a little bit of fabric adhesive to one end of the ribbon or elastic and place it down on the mask. Hold or clip the tie in place until the glue has set. Glue the other side down and hold it in place. Refer to your adhesive packaging for a complete drying time.

Once the adhesive has dried completely, the bat mask is ready to be worn! The mask should work great on its own, but you can get a little extra by adding some fun eye makeup or other details to complete the "bat" look.

DIY Bat Bow

For a little more "bat" flair, you can make a fun bat-themed bow to wear with the mask. Accordion fold the center of the bow and tightly wrap some string around it and tie it off to hold it together. Alternatively, you could use hot glue, but you'll need to be VERY careful so that you don't burn yourself.

The next step is to decide whether you want the bow on a clip or a headband. It's totally a personal preference, and they are both great options! If using a clip, first cover the clip and the top prongs with a small piece of Oly*Fun or ribbon so that it will stick well to the bow. Add some adhesive to the back of the bow, and press the clip in the center. Hold the clip in place until the glue has set.

If using a headband, attach a small piece of Oly*Fun or ribbon where you plan on placing the bow so that it will stick better. Add some adhesive to the center of the bow on the bottom and place it on the headband so that the bow is standing up. Hold the bow in place until the glue has set.

Next, take the center bow piece and put it through the clip so that the wrong side is facing the front, with the "bat"ears facing down. The image above is looking from the top of the bow. On a headband, place the center bow piece face-down under the headband with the bat ears in front.

Add a little bit of adhesive to the back of the strip, just below the ears - but not on the ears themselves.

Bring the other end of the strip around and tightly wrap it around the backside of the bow. Stick the end in place, and trim the excess off just where the ears begin on the other end.

For the headband, bring the other end up from the bottom of the headband and tightly pull it into place and press the ends together. Trim off the excess.

Add a couple of small adhesive gems just below the ears to give the bat some eyes. I would recommend matching the gems with the mask, but feel free to have fun with it and do what makes you happy!

Pair the accessories with your favorite black outfit, and you have a simple, but chic, bat costume to wear to your next costume party! This is such a fun costume idea for Halloween, or to share as party favors at a bat-themed party any time of year. Kids of all ages will have so much fun getting batty with Oly*Fun!!

As always, I would love to see your creations! Share your creations on Instagram, Facebook, or leave a comment/photo on the project pin on Pinterest! #AFMCrafts

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