DIY Nesting Dolls Costume Tutorial

Step into the charming world of Russian nesting dolls with our DIY nesting doll costume sewing tutorial. These adorable matryoshka dolls have captured hearts worldwide with their unique design. Whether you’re looking for an individual costume or a fantastic group costume or family costume idea, our step-by-step guide will help you create an eye-catching ensemble. Basic sewing skills required. Step-by-step instructions will help you create your very own matryoshka-inspired outfit. Get ready to impress at costume parties, holiday events, or Halloween gatherings. For more group costume ideas see visit DIY Dorothy and Wizard of Oz Costumes, DIY Caveman Family Costumes, or DIY Luke Skywalker and Star Wars Costumes.

Look at those adorable little trick or treaters!

Making costumes? Not my favorite. *Gasp*

Which is why I like things to be super simple, super easy, and of course cute whenever possible! And when they coordinate, it is like an added bonus.

That’s when I came up with Russian dolls for our DIY Halloween costumes. 

I have 3 kids all under the age of six, of course they would be cute in coordinating nesting doll costumes!  And hey – I put a rocket on the front of Ben’s after all. Lol.

Now I know what you are saying…but there are no arms on a nesting doll!

Don’t worry, I made armholes. Furthermore, if your kids don’t like to wear things on their head as much as mine, the top can fold back and work like a hood when they are being fussy. 

Gather Supplies

First off, you will need to get the large felt sold by the yard at fabric stores. It is really cheap, and perfect for this costume. 1 yard is all you will need, and you will have plenty leftover. For the front belly embellishments, get ½ yard of white felt, and some of the paper sized felt in whatever colors you like. I made all three of my children’s costumes for around $15. Not bad.

Felt: Buy the type of felt sold on a bolt at your local fabric store. You can also buy felt by the yard at online fabric stores. Cheap craft felt works great for this. If you want a longer lasting, higher quality nesting doll costume you can buy more expensive wool felt.

• 1 yard of the main fabric is enough for most sizes.
• ½ yard of white felt
• small pieces of felt in various colors for your belly applique (we did a flower pattern). You can buy the individual rectangle of felt for this part.

Fusible Interfacing (Optional): You can use fusible interfacing to help aid in sewing on the applique if you choose.

Sewing Machine: Unless you’re opting for assembling by glue, you’ll need your sewing machine and thread.

Fabric Scissors: Good sharp scissors are necessary for cutting felt.

Create The Pattern

You will need some very basic measurements of your child in order to cut your pieces properly. I had each child stand next to my ruler for a second and eyeballed it.

Don’t make your costume too long, you don’t want your child tripping as they run around at night getting candy!

Once you have your basic head and overall length measurement, you can start creating your pattern directly onto your felt fabric.

Step 1: Fold main felt piece in half. Cut (2) large nesting doll shaped pieces of felt fabric on the fold using the head length measurement + 1-inch + the overall desired height measurement.

Step 2: For the front pattern piece, cut off a little of the excess fabric from the side of the head.

Step 3: Cut out a circle for the face. If you cut a large circle the nesting doll costume will have a hood. If you cut a smaller circle just the face will show out of the costume. This is up to you.

Step 4: Lay the front of your nesting doll flat. Cut out a white tunny piece to fit on the front of the nesting doll. Cut out small felt pieces in the shape of the applique you want.

Step 5: Attach the tummy piece and applique decorative pieces. You can do this using fabric glue, hot glue or by simply topstitching around the edges of the pieces. If you sew, I recommend using pins to pin in place or ironing on fusible web interfacing and ironing on, then top stitching around the edges.

Assemble The Nesting Doll

Step 1: Pin The Dart

Place the back of the pattern piece on the top of the front pattern piece, right sides together. Match up the outside head edges. You will see that the back is larger than the front. Meet the excess head fabric in the top center and pinch together. Pin to secure.

The head dart will help the costume to fit around your child’s head a bit better. You can easily use a stapler to replace the sewn seam if you don’t sew. (Perfectionists remember – this is a costume. Staples work).

Step 2: Sew The Dart

Once pinned or marked, fold the back piece in half, right sides together. Sew a line of stitches to secure the pinched fabric, creating a dart in the head piece. Cut off excess fabric, leaving a ¼-inch to ½-inch seam allowance. See photo below.

Step 3: Sew Side Seams

Place the back and front pieces wrong sides together. Mark where you want to leave the sides open for the armholes. Make sure they’re big enough to comfortably accommodate your child’s arms. Stitch from the bottom of the doll up the side to the bottom of the arm hole. Then sew from the top of the arm hole around the top of the head and over to the top of the other arm hole. Then sew from the bottom of the arm hole to the bottom of the nesting doll. Do not sew along the bottom.

What did my kids like most about these costumes?

The fact that they got lipstick put on their face, they were so excited to be wearing mommy’s make-up.

Thanks so much for having me Andrea. I have loved what everyone has created so far, and cannot wait to see what’s next!  We’re off to go trick or treating!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)