If you’re looking for an easy DIY Halloween costume t-shirt that doesn’t involve itchy fabric or hours of sewing, this one’s for you. A costume shirt is seriously one of the best hacks ever! They’re inexpensive to make, super comfortable to wear, and totally customizable. You can turn any idea into a funny costume t-shirt with just a few supplies and a little creativity.
This year, I made my husband’s “bag of fertilizer” costume using a simple black tee and some foam sheets. It was fast, funny, and turned out so good! Plus, when paired with my gardener outfit, it made the cutest (and most low-effort) couple costume.
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Materials for a DIY Halloween Costume T-Shirt
This DIY costume t-shirt comes together fast with just a few basic supplies you can grab from any craft store. Shop your home first to save even more. This is one of the easiest and most budget-friendly Halloween costume ideas ever.
- Plain black t-shirt
- Craft foam sheets (green, yellow, black, white, red)
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Pencil for tracing
How to Make a DIY Halloween Costume T-Shirt
Step 1: Start with a Plain Black Shirt
Lay out a plain t-shirt as your base. I love this type of costume because you can start with any solid shirt you already have on hand, or purchase your desired color for super cheap.
I recommend googling an inspiration photo or sketching out an idea before you start. I kept a photo of a fertilizer bag pulled up on my phone and used it as my guide, trying to replicate the colors and layout as closely as I could.
Step 2: Add the Background Colors
To create the classic fertilizer bag look, I used sheets of craft foam in green and yellow for the background. Cut and arrange them until you’re happy with the proportions.
Step 3: Trace Details
Next, I made the black circle for the center logo. I tried out a few different plastic lids until I found the perfect size, then traced around it on a sheet of black foam and cut it out. When you are free handing designs like this, tracing household items is the way to go!
Step 4: Create the Lettering
For the text, I just drew the letters straight onto the foam and cut them out with scissors. No fancy tools needed. If you’re not confident in your freehand lettering, you’ve got options:
- Print and trace: Print your lettering from your computer, cut it out, and use it as a stencil.
- Buy pre-cut foam letters: Most craft stores sell ready-made foam letters in different sizes and colors.
- Cut with a Cricut: If you have a Cricut or similar cutting machine, this step is a breeze.
I actually do own a Cricut and love it, but since we just moved into our new house, it’s still buried in a box somewhere. I had to go old-school for this Halloween costume t-shirt! Don’t worry about perfection here. Homemade costumes should look homemade. That’s half the charm.
Step 5: Add the Final Details
Using the photo on my phone as a guide, I finished it off by cutting out the words “Plant Food” and adding a little orange flower at the bottom for that extra pop of color, using craft foam for all of it.
Step 6: Glue It All Together
Once all the pieces for your DIY Halloween costume t-shirt are cut and arranged, glue them down. Pull everything off the shirt, add hot glue, and then stick them back on in place. I used a hot glue gun. It’s the fastest and best way to attach materials like this.
And that’s it! This DIY funny costume t-shirt is finished! This whole thing took me less than an hour and cost next to nothing to make.
Step 7: Wear It and Enjoy
My husband’s “bag of fertilizer” costume was such a hit. It’s clever, easy, and super comfortable. Which, if you ask me, is the ultimate Halloween win. Paired with my gardener look, it made for the most adorable couple’s costume ever!
We, of course, took it a step further and dressed the whole family in a full garden-themed Halloween costume lineup. The boys went as little garden gnomes, and the girls were colorful flowers, complete with their own “pots.” Every single one of these DIY costumes was fun to make, super inexpensive, and totally no-sew. I’ll link the tutorials for the kids’ costumes below so you can recreate the whole garden crew yourself!
More Budget-Friendly Halloween Costume Ideas
If you’re looking for even more DIY costume ideas that can be pulled together last minute and on a budget, I’ve rounded up all of our past family costumes in one big post. Every single one is fun, creative, and easy to make! You can check out that post for tons of inspiration for your next Halloween. > 31 Family Halloween Costumes: DIY Ideas for Every Age
📌 Save This DIY Halloween Costume T-Shirt for Later
Pin now and come back anytime you’re planning your next last-minute Halloween costume!
FAQ About Making a DIY Costume T-Shirt
Cricuts are awesome, but you can absolutely make a DIY costume t-shirt without one. Just draw your design or letters directly onto craft foam or felt, cut them out with scissors, and glue them to your shirt. You can also print out letters from your computer to use as templates for tracing.
A hot glue gun is the fastest and most reliable option, especially if you’re using foam or felt. Fabric glue also works well if you want something washable or prefer not to use heat.
If you use hot glue, spot cleaning is best since high heat can loosen the adhesive. For a more permanent design, use fabric glue or iron-on vinyl.
A plain cotton or cotton-blend t-shirt is ideal. It’s soft, easy to work with, and holds glue well. Black, white, or solid-colored tees are great starting points depending on your design.
