Bam-Bam is a lovable and iconic character from The Flintstones. Bam-Bam is often depicted alongside her sister Pebbles, so this costume is an excellent option if you are dressing up with your partner or preparing two children for Halloween. You can also dress up your whole family as those famous prehistoric characters to put together a few outfits to match. You can definitely sew everything you need for the costume, but Bam-Bam's outfit is a great option if you're looking for an easy costume that doesn't require sewing, as you can wear orange shorts like the half robe and an orange baseball cap like the hat.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Making the Half Robe
Step 1. Get some bright orange shorts if you want to keep things simple
If you don't feel like sewing, get yourself a set of orange shorts. Traditionally, Bam-Bam shorts are bright orange, although you can use another muted color if you wish. The costume will still feel like Bam-Bam if you use a tan or brown color. Try to wear a pair of shorts that do not have patterns or logos.
For this, any type of shorts will do. However, a comfortable pair of cotton shorts is ideal. The plain fabric will look a lot like a make-up Bam-Bam costume
Step 2. Sew the half robe yourself using orange felt for a custom fit
Measure your waist and cut a sheet of orange felt that is 1 inch (2.5 cm) longer. Make the robe extend from the waist to the knees. Next, sew the orange fabric to make a skirt using a sewing machine.
Poke a few holes in the waist and thread a string or piece of string through them to form a belt. Wear shorts under your half robe in case the rope breaks
Step 3. Cut a series of triangles at the bottom to achieve that prehistoric look
Get some fabric scissors and stretch the bottom of the half tunic or shorts. Cut a sequence of 2 to 3 inch (5.1 to 7.6 cm) triangles from the bottom edge of the fabric. You can make each triangle a different size, or you can cut a cardboard template and trace around it to get a uniform set of triangles. This will give your shorts or half robe that prehistoric, aged look.
Step 4. Make a sequence of black triangles out of paper or felt
Get a sheet of black felt and some fabric scissors and cut a sequence of black triangles of various sizes. The largest triangles should be about 4 to 5 inches (10 to 13 cm) and the smallest 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm). These triangles are for Bam-Bam's half robe, so start by cutting out a handful of them. You can always cut more as you need them.
Tip:
you're going to cut the triangles for the half robe, so why not cut a few smaller ones right now for the hat if you're going to make one. These triangles are about half the size of the triangles for the half robe.
Step 5. Glue the triangles in a random order all over the half robe
Arrange the triangles so that they are randomly on the half robe. After you find a layout you like, place a thick bead of hot glue on the back of the first triangle and press it against the fabric. Repeat the procedure with the rest of the triangles. Leave at least 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm) between each triangle so that a good percentage of the orange will still show up in the half robe.
- You can sew the triangles in place if you really want to. However, hot glue works quite well for bonding small pieces of fabric together.
- Remember to do it on the back of the half robe as well.
Step 6. Add a circle of brown or black fabric to make the shoulder strap
Measure the distance between the lower right hip in the front and the back of the same hip passing over the left shoulder. Cut a piece of brown or black fabric this length and double the width until it is about 4-6 inches (10-15 cm). Then sew this piece to the half robe or pin it at the front of the right hip and the right side of the waist at the back.
For a different look, you can wrap the shoulder strap fabric by twisting it to make it thinner and pin it in place like this. If you do, hold the crooked fabric at the top of your shoulder with a safety pin so it won't unroll
Step 7. Cut a bone out of construction paper and glue white felt or paper on top
Draw a basic bone on a piece of construction paper. While the size is entirely up to you, 6 inches (15 cm) wide and 3 inches (7.5 cm) thick is a good average size. Cut out the bone using a utility knife or scissors and glue white felt or white paper to the front.
- The easiest way to draw a bone is to make two parallel lines and then two overlapping, symmetrical circles at each end. You can always find a Bam-Bam drawing online and use it for reference if you want.
- If you have no problem using a sewing machine, you can cut two bones out of fabric and sew them together. When you get to the half bone, fill half with cotton fluff. Keep sewing and stuffing until you get a plush bone.
Step 8. Trim the excess felt or paper and glue the bone to the front hip
Using scissors or a utility knife and cutting board, cut the excess paper off the bone, then apply a thick bead of hot glue to the back and press the bone against the front of the half robe so that it covers the spot. where the shoulder strap meets the waist.
- While Bam-Bam doesn't traditionally wear a T-shirt, you can wear a white short-sleeved or sleeveless T-shirt underneath if you're going to a party or Halloween.
- For shoes, wear brown sandals or sneakers. Bam-Bam is usually barefoot, but obviously this is a poor decision if you are going trick-or-treating or a costume party.
Part 2 of 3: Making the hat
Step 1. Get a bright orange baseball cap for an easy option
If you don't want to make the hat yourself, get one in the same color as the half robe. Any baseball cap will do, although one with a soft top (for example, a 5-panel hat or bucket hat) will work best. Don't worry if it has any logos on it as you can always cover these images with black triangles.
Step 2. Cut and fold a small orange hat yourself if you feel like crafting
Traditionally, Bam-Bam is depicted wearing a tiny round-brimmed cap that somewhat resembles a herringbone hat. While this is quite difficult to sew, you can make the hat by gluing on a small sheet of orange foam if you wish. Wrap a single sheet of foam into a cone shape and pin it at the back to make a small beanie. Trim the sharp edges in the front to make the hat look round.
- You don't need to make the hat if you don't want to. The half robe and bat should be more than enough for most people to realize that you are Bam-Bam.
- If you used another color for the half robe, use the same color for the hat. Bam-Bam's hat and half robe always match.
Step 3. Cut a sequence of smaller triangles using felt or black paper
If you already did when making the half robe, skip this step. Otherwise, cut a sequence of small triangles with black felt and fabric scissors. The largest triangles should be 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm) and the smallest 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm).
The triangles that are placed on Bam-Bam's hat have the same general pattern and shape as the half robe. However, they are usually half the size
Step 4. Glue or sew the triangles to the hat
Attach the triangles to the hat in the same way that you did to the half robe. You can either apply some hot glue to the back and press them against the fabric, or you can sew them directly onto the hat. Scatter the triangles randomly, leaving at least 2 inches (5.1 cm) of space between each for a bit of variety.
Remember to cover the logos or writing on the hat
Tip:
If you want, you can pin a white cotton ball to the top of the hat. Bam-Bam's hat usually has a little white cotton pompadour on top, but since many people won't notice it, it doesn't really matter if you choose to omit it.
Part 3 of 3: Make the bat
Step 1. Get any cylindrical object to make the bat
Any round object that is at least 24 inches long and about 1 to 2 inches thick will do this. Some great options are a long vacuum attachment, a small broom handle, a twig, or a toy bat depending on the size and material you want to use.
Variation:
you can use a plastic bat on its own if it is brown. Traditionally, Bam-Bam's bat is thicker than a regular bat, but it doesn't matter if yours is a little thinner. For this, a brown whiffle ball bat is perfect.
Step 2. Wrap tissue paper around the object and glue it on
Get some brown tissue paper and wrap it around the bat in layers to increase the thickness. Tape each piece with tape of any kind to hold it in place. Keep wrapping the tissue paper around the bat to enlarge it so that the top is thicker than the bottom. Narrow the tissue paper in the center so that it flares out like Bam-Bam's bat.
You'll be covering the tissue paper, so you don't need to worry if the masking tape is showing
Step 3. Glue felt or brown paper bags around the object for texture
When you're happy with the shape and thickness of the bat, get some brown paper bags or brown felt depending on your preferred texture and wrap the paper or felt around the bat so that the fabric or paper is taut. Cut out the felt or paper and use hot glue or clear tape to bond the layers together and hold them against the bat. You can also wear safety pins if you want.
Felt is best if you want a bat that has a smoother look, while paper is ideal if you want the bat to have a bit of texture that is vaguely similar to wood
Step 4. Draw a few black ovals around the bat so that it has wood grain
If you want to add a few wood grains to it, get a black indelible marker or fabric marker and add a few small ovals to the bat and draw around them in a sequence of concentric ovals. If you want, you can add smaller details (for example, chips or dots that resemble the texture of wood). When you feel satisfied with the bat, you are done.
Advice
- If you want to do your best, you can dye your hair white using a temporary dye. While Bam-Bam is traditionally drawn with white hair, it's not mandatory if you don't feel like messing with temporary dyes.
- If someone else is dressing up as Pebbles, get a green dress, turquoise shorts, and make a cardboard or felt bone to collect the hair. Add a few black triangles or curved shapes to the dress.
- If this all seems like too much work, you can purchase a Bam-Bam outfit at a costume store or online for between $ 25 and $ 40.
- This is a great outfit option if you're dressing up your child for Halloween. The bright orange will make it easy to see your child if he gets lost in the crowd while trick-or-treating.