DIY Eight-Legged Spider Costume: 45-Min Paper Build

DIY eight-legged spider costume built from black sweatshirt and black sweatpants, black socks, and newspaper or tissue paper

AI-generated concept photo

Time45 minEffortMedium

⏱️ We timed it, but results may vary.

Plan this costume →No signup · 2 minutes.

Black sweats with stuffed sock legs attached at the sides. Eight legs, counted. About forty-five minutes, a medium build: a black sweatshirt and sweatpants, black socks, and newspaper or tissue paper. Four legs per side, evenly spaced; six legs reads as ant.

2 of 7 things covered, counting basics we assume you have.

Tap a supply to tick what you own.

Still need:

NewspaperString / yarn / ribbonGlue (any kind)Red paperWhite face paint

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Tip: run one long strand of black yarn across the back like a web anchor line.

Materials

Black sweatshirt and black sweatpants, 1 set (own: from closet)
Black socks, 8 (4 pairs, own: from the sock drawer)
Newspaper or tissue paper, 3 to 4 sheets, for stuffing (own: from home)
Thin black rope or black yarn, 4 feet (buy: craft store)
Black fabric glue, 1 bottle, or a needle and black thread (buy: craft store)
Large googly eyes, 2 (buy: craft store; drawn paper circles work too)
White face paint, 1 tube (buy: craft store or costume aisle)

Steps

Stuff each of the 8 socks about half full with newspaper or tissue.
Leave the top half empty so each leg can bend.
Pin the stuffed socks on the sweatshirt first.
Check the spacing in a mirror.
Glue or stitch 4 stuffed socks down each side of the sweatshirt.
Poke the black yarn through the middle of each sock.
Tie it for a knee bend.
Glue one googly eye on each shoulder.
Dress in the black sweatshirt and sweatpants.
Put on the leg-covered sweatshirt.
Safety: Use non-toxic face paint, and keep the googly eyes on the shoulders, not near the face.
Dot the white face paint around the eyes as spider markings.
Optional pro finish: run one long strand of black yarn across the back like a web anchor line.

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Common questions

How do you keep the sock legs from drooping?

Stuff each sock only half full and leave the top half empty so the leg can bend. Poke the black yarn through the middle of each sock and tie it for a knee bend, which holds the shape up.

Can the sweatshirt be washed after?

Spot clean only. The glued-on legs will not survive a wash, so use a sweatshirt you are fine retiring to the costume bin.

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