Medusa Costumes

For Halloween 2007, I created a Medusa costume for my eldest daughter that has a King Cobra appliqued on the front, and made snake jewelry accessories as well.

Medusa Costume Gown or Dress

I chose a beautiful snake-colored olive green silk shantung for the gown itself and a chestnut brown silk satin for the lining and used Butterick pattern 4343. I also made a short Bolero jacket using McCall's pattern 5197 out of a crimped olive green fabric that was reminiscent of a snake body.

Dyeing Fabric for Snake Belly

I selected an ivory ribbed fabric that would give the vague impression of the articulated body of a snake. To dye the fabric with stripes, we settled on a mix of pomegranate juice and strong tea after testing coffee, vanilla and other juices. The tea bag itself worked well as a paint brush. Brushing on the dye, then iron fabric to set the color, rinse out and iron the fabric again.

Sewing the Snake Upper Body

Once dry, place the ivory fabric over a piece of heavy interfacing cut in the same shape. Tucked in two piece of 1/4" braid to lift the fabric to make room for fluffy polyester fiberfill. Traced the dashed sewing lines on a piece of tissue and lay that over the top of the ivory fabric. Stitch along sewing lines, then pull out braid. Lay border trim of snake plus snake head over ivory fabric and stitch along edges leaving clear end openings of area to be stuffed. Lastly stuff with fiberfill.

Attaching Snake Appliques to Dress

Lay King Cobra head and upper body piece on dress and stitch along outside edges. Cut a long strip of snake fabric and pin around dress, having the top end meet the upper body piece at the side seam of dress. Sew top edge of snake body around dress. Next, begin stitching opposite edge and filling with cording and fiberfill as you go along. Fabric needs to be in the stuffed position before stitching, otherwise the dress fabric will be pulled out of shape. Tuck or fold snake body around curves, and cut extra curves in snake fabric near end of tail.

Finishing Details

I added snake eyes purchased from Van Dyke's Taxidermy in SD using E6000 glue. I cut a tiny forked tongue out of red Ultrasuede and stitched that onto the mouth. We added the snake jewelry I made and set the Medusa headdress on top.

I currently have a few pairs of the Snake Earrings available for sale.

Not available for purchase