Cheap and Easy Queen of Hearts Costume DIY
Are you ready for this year’s costume? With our daughter, it was always a challenge. She gravitates toward villains and has very strong opinions about her Halloween costumes. A plain black dress was always my starting point because it works as the base for so many characters, and this Queen of Hearts costume DIY was no exception.
When I showed her photos of Helena Bonham Carter as the Queen in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, she was horrified at how she looked in that movie. But the moment I pulled out my red wig, she warmed up to the idea. I had to promise we would create our own version of the Red Queen rather than copying the movie look exactly. The great thing about it is that the same steps and supplies work just as well for adults as they do for kids.
Full list of supplies for this DIY Queen of Hearts costume
- plain black long dress or a shorter black dress
- black, red, and yellow duct tape
- deck of playing cards
- a cape (this one has red lining)
- small crown or large crown
- face paint comes with brushes
- adult red wig
- scissors
- ruler and pencil
- superglue
- cardboard
- bobby pins (optional)
- You can also add a scepter, but we didn’t but should have!
- If you don’t want to make your own dress like this, check out this finished kids Queen of Hearts dress or this adult Queen of Hearts dress, which would look great with the same face paint and wig that we used.
Costume Instructions
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As I mentioned above, our daughter had sensory issues at the time, and that’s the reason I started with a plain, comfortable black dress, and skipped the distinctive Queen of Hearts dress details and costume accessories like lace, tulle, tutu, hoop skirt, and petticoat. It would have been way too itchy for her. That’s also the reason why she couldn’t bear to have the cape that I made for her in the photos. I thought she could handle it, but I was wrong. (Check out my sensory friendly Halloween costumes)
In my head, I mapped out a combination of all the inspirational images I found of red queen costumes, and I felt like I really wanted to include the yellow and black dress detail from the cartoon. That is where the duct tape came into place.
Step 1: Create the bottom part of the dress
I started taping/laying out a pattern with the black and yellow duct tape on the dress in a v-shape (as pictured) and drew a line down the middle of the v-shape. I lifted the taped-down duct tape slightly so I cut that center line with the scissors and taped it down again.
You could skip the black duct tape since the dress is black, but I found that the shape of the dress stayed nicer if it was all duct tape. The structure of the dress just falls better. We skipped the back of the dress because if you wear a cape, you can’t see the back. You could continue with the pattern in the back.
Step 2: Create the heart shape for the dress
After that, I taped red duct tape together on my kitchen countertop in a rectangular shape. Measure the chest area of the dress to determine what size of red heart you want to make.
Draw a heart on the rectangular-shaped red duct tape on the counter with a pencil. Lift the shape off the counter carefully and use sharp craft scissors to cut out the heart shape. Then paste the heart on the chest of the black dress.
Here is what I ended up with and it wasn’t all that exact, to be honest, but it was ok in the end.
Step 3: Tape the deck of cards to the cape collar
Lay the cards out along the collar of the cape in the arrangement you want. Tape the cards together on the back with duct tape, then use superglue to attach them to a thin piece of cardstock cut to fit the collar. Finally, tape the whole cardboard piece to the cape with duct tape. It sounds like a lot of steps, but it takes about ten minutes.
Step 4: Queen of Hearts Makeup with face paint
For her makeup, I used this face paint palette again and ended up doing a simple version of the Queen’s makeup with white face paint (instead of white powder), blue eye paint (instead of eye shadow), black eyebrows, eyeliner, a black heart mole, and a heart shape on her lips instead of red lipstick.
You can certainly use real makeup instead, but that would be more expensive if you don’t have the right colors at home, and as you can see, the facepaint does a fantastic job and is perfect for this costume. I have used this palette for other costumes over the years, too, and it’s really worth the money.
Add the wig and crown as well at this point. Her hair is long, and I ended up braiding it and stuffing the braid under the wig. The wig stays in place with a few bobby pins, and so does the crown.
How to make this Queen of Hearts costume for adults
Everything in this tutorial works exactly the same for an adult version. The only real difference is the size of the dress.
For the dress, a fitted black midi or maxi dress works beautifully and gives it a more dramatic, queenly feel. A black pencil skirt with a black corset or fitted top is another great option if you want to show off more of the duct tape detail. Thrift stores are a great place to find something without spending much, or check your own closet first.
The makeup, wig, crown, and cards on the cape all stay exactly the same. The one thing I would add for an adult version is a pair of fake lashes to make the look a little more dramatic. If anything, the cape looks even more impressive on an adult and is much easier to actually wear without sensory complaints!
Photos of the finished Queen of Hearts costume
I was thrilled about how it turned out, but I’m not sure about her.
I told her to smile, but she said that the Queen is miserable and doesn’t smile….she’s definitely right about that.
RELATED: I also used black duct tape to make the base shape for a scarecrow mask and all I wore with that is another basic black outfit and black cape.
My husband and I loved this simple costume but guess what she is doing now? Sitting in her room cutting up sweatpants so she can make her own comfortable Zombie outfit (What happened to wanting to be a princess?). I don’t know if I should laugh or cry about it. I’m glad she wants to be creative in her own way but also upset that she can’t just put this one on. Did you notice in the photo that I had to stick the cape on the wall because she couldn’t even handle wearing it on her shoulders?
Besides what my daughter thinks, do you like it? Which one of our cats should be the Cheshire Cat? Or our white cat Lucy could be her white rabbit, haha!
I ended up making a bigger version for myself and wore it to our neighborhood Halloween party that same year. My husband was the Mad Hatter and it was such a fun couple costume. I used the leftover supplies and my large black dress and the only thing I added for my version was a pair of fake eyelashes.
More of my Halloween costume ideas
- My DIY Cruella Deville costume version with my husband dressed as a Dalmatian
- DIY maleficent costume
- How to put an apocalypse costume together
- how to do zombie makeup
- DIY sad clown costume
- How to apply dark angel makeup
- Super easy DIY elf fairy costume
- DIY sugar skull costume
This is one of those costumes that looks impressive but is genuinely simple to pull together. If you make your own version, I would love to see it in the comments below!
Tschüß,
i LOVE this! you always make the best costumes!!!!
Now if she’d only wear it too, I’d be happy. She’s killing me.
Amazing! You need to write a book of costumes you can make with duct tape and a plain black dress :). I’m sorry she’s not loving it :(. At least you have the amazing photos to prove that it happened!
Sigh! Yup, I guess the photos are for me to enjoy.
so amazing! i’m sorry you’re struggling with your daughter. I truly hope it gets easier for both of you! I think the costume was genius and very creative!
Thank you Erin
I am so sorry sad that your little beauty. Is still having serious sensory troubles. I think all you do for her is just fabulous. Extraordinary costumes.
Thanks Sheryll, it’s great that you understand her. You are always the sweetest.
So sorry about your struggles. Your daughter is gorgeous and so is the costume you’ve made. You are very creative and talented. Be positive.
Thank you! I’m trying to be positive 😉
I think it’s amazing! Seriously, blown away by your creativity. As far as the sensory issues, I’d just let her make what she wants to make and wear. We don’t have those issues, but we have others and in the end… it’s not worth the fight just for what I want. Keep your chin up!
Thank you and I know but she most of the time doesn’t even know what she can handle herself and lets it out on me which is so frustrating.
I love the costume! Sorry she won’t wear it. She looked cute in the photos so at least you have those to remember the costume by 🙂
Yes, I’m glad I have the photos!
You have such made skills, Julia! Seriously gorgeous.
It definitely sounds like the sensory issues have worn you out. I’ll send some prayers and hugs your way. I hope some day in the future you and your daughter can have so much fun being creative together, and I’m sorry that the struggle with the issues is making things so rough.
Also, your daughter is super cute. Mine is only 2.5 and does not yet have any strong opinions about her Halloween costume so this year, we’re doing a family costume going as Doctor Who, River Song, and the Tardis. I’ll be having fun making a dark blue prom dress into a Tardis dress for her. She’ll just think it’s a princess dress, and we can revel in our geeky glory. 🙂
That’s what it’s all about how fun!
Thank you!
THIS IS AMAZING!!!!!!!! Your daughter has so much personality 🙂 But seriously, this queen of hearts costume looks beyond beyond. And the face paint job is impeccable!
Thanks Brittany! You can say that out loud about her personality. She scares me most of the time LOL. She’s a force of nature!
This is just insanely creative. I mean, I want to dress up as the Queen of Hearts now! Who cares about the kids?! 😉
Haha thanks and that’s totally what I was thinking when she said she won’t wear it. I will then!!!
You are truly a costume master! My daughter and I loved looking at this!
Thanks so much! I love doing it and wish she’d be into it as much as I am. She loves doing it to her dolls but the minute it’s for herself, she can’t handle it most of the time
I know what you’re going through, my daughter was the same way. She would put something on and immediately rip it off. Going shopping with her was a nightmare and I used to get so angry! She’s now 17 and has style galore and looks like a super model. Don’t fret, it will get better!! You’re costumes are amazing!! Maybe she’ll appreciate looking at the photos as she grows older! 🙂
I had just always imagined me going shopping with my little daughter and getting her dressed up and it just turned out so differently. It breaks my heart at times.
You ROCK!!! I need you to make costumes for me!
her costume(s) turned out so cute!!! Love your take on the Queen of Hearts!
This is absolutely amazing!! You are so clever with costumes!! So sorry she had problems with it – I agree, think you should just wear it yourself 😉 Big hugs hun, hope things improve, it must be such a frustrating situation for you both xxx
Thank you, I can use hugs with her frequently.
Julia, you did a fantastic job! I love this costume and the makeup is spot on! I know your daughter doesn’t want to wear it but you got some fantastic pictures.
Thanks Darnetha and I am thankful that I have some photos of it and I hope that one day she will love to see them too.
I totally used hour maleficent idea and it worked beautifully!! Thanks so much ! I’ll see if I can figure out how to post a pic of her headpiece and staff
Oh how cool. I’m glad it worked out for you.
The queen of hearts outfit is awesome. Having raised two rather high strung young ladies I totally understand where you coming from. I on the other hand am the one who can’t stand certain materials touching me.
I have certain things too that I don’t like Letia but with my daughter it’s just about everything which is so hard. She goes through periods where she is ok and then periods where she is bothered by everything.
You always come up with the best costumes for your girl. Such a clever design!
Mighty useful. Make no mistake, I aptaceirpe it.