How to Make Strawberry Shortcake Costume (Easy DIY)

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How to Make Strawberry Shortcake Costume (Easy DIY)

Strawberry Shortcake Costume DIY--1980's style! Learn how to make the classic Strawberry Shortcake costume!

Make the perfect Strawberry Shortcake costume easily with a few items in the closet (or easily sourced) and the perfect puffy fluffy muffin hat!

I'm an 80's girl. I grew up watching good old Strawberry Shortcake and her other tasty friends.

I love Custard the cat and Frappe the Frog. I love Lemon Meringue too!

Honestly, I don't remember any single episode--I don't remember her temperament or the premise of the show. I just remember she liked to bake and had a strawberry on her hat!

I had several of the dolls, toys and accessories when I was a little girl.

Strawberry Shortcake Costume DIY! Strawberry Shortcake Costume DIY--1980's style! I'm an 80's girl. I grew up watching good old Strawberry Shortcake and her other tasty friends. I love Custard the cat and Frappe the Frog. I loved Lemon Meringue too!

I've wanted to do a Strawberry Shortcake Costume cosplay for years--nay, decades. I've been planning this costume since 2004. It's really been THAT long.

I've had the tights and the strawberry in my stash for easily 10 years.

I had a patch of Custard that I had planned on sewing on my Strawberry Shortcake apron...but instead put it on my jean jacket last year (see this post).

I knew it was finally time to make my dreams come true with this Strawberry Shortcake costume diy!

I love a quick costume diy. I love using pieces I already have on hand. I love anything super budget friendly too!

What you'll need for the perfect Strawberry Shortcake Costume:

Red Dress
White Apron
Green and White Striped Tights
Muffin Hat (full tutorial below!)

Having some classic staples in the closet makes pulling a costume together a breeze. Like this apron. I love it and used it for my Alice in Wonderland costume a couple weeks ago. Tips on the rest of the costume at the end of the post.

What you'll need for the perfect Strawberry Shortcake Costume: Red Dress White Apron Green and White Striped Tights, Mobcap or Mop cap Hat (full tutorial below!) Having some classic staples in the closet makes pulling a costume together a breeze. Like this apron. I love it and used it for my Alice in Wonderland costume a couple weeks ago.

How to Make the Strawberry Shortcake Muffin Hat!

What are these elastic bonnets called?

A loyal reader informed me, it's called a Mop cap or mobcap!

Elastic bucket hats, muffin hats, muffet hats, prairie hats?

Anyway, this hat is perfect for Old Mother Hubbard, Strawberry Shortcake, Little Miss Muffet, Little Bo Peep, any early pre-1900's period production...and more!

Supplies Needed for Strawberry Shortcake Costume Hat:

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Step 1: Iron Fabric!

Begin by ironing fabric so it's all nice and smooth. My mom used to say "the press makes the dress!"

Step 2: Cut Circle!

Cut two 22 inch circles.

Fold the fabric so the right sides are together. Then fold it in half again and half again.

Keep track of which corner is the center of the fabric.

Then tie some twine to a pencil and cut it at 11 inches. Then hold the end of the twine on the corner of the fabric (that is the center of the circle) and trace an arch with the pencil.

This twine/pencil technique is just a drawing circle compass, don't over think it. Watch the video for more visual.

After cutting, you should have 2 big circles of fabric 22 inches in diameter.

Step 3: Sew!

Now sew the edge of the fabric together, leaving a 2 inch hole to flip it right side out.

It's basically sewing a straight line, but with just a little bit of a curve.

Turn the fabric circle right side out and iron the outside edge seam.

Iron the 2 inch hole opening so it folds under the same distance as the rest of the fabric.

Step 4: Measure!

Use a tape measure and mark 2 inches from the outside edge.

Make little marks all around the inside of the hat with a pencil or removable fabric marker at the 2 inch mark.

Step 5: Sew!

Now sew around the very outside edge of the hat, this will close in the 2 inch hole used to turn it right side out.

Next, sew around the hat at the 2 inch mark by following the marks made in the previous step.

Finally, sew around the circle again, about a presser foot or 1/2 inch away from the previous sewing line at 2 inches.

You should have a border line...which could also include lace or trim.

And 2 lines for elastic about 1/2 inch apart--2 inches from the edge of the hat.

Finally, sew around the circle again, about a presser foot or 1/2 inch away from the previous sewing line at 2 inches. You should have a border line...which could also include lace or trim. And 2 lines for elastic about 1/2 inch apart--2 inches from the edge of the hat.

Step 6: Elastic!

Use some fine tipped scissors and cut a little slit in one layer of the hat, between the 2 rows of stitching. Careful not to cut the sewn threads.

Measure a length of 1/4" elastic by wrapping it loosely around the head and subtracting one inch.

Step 6: Elastic! Use some fine tipped scissors and cut a little slit in one layer of the hat, between the 2 rows of stitching. Careful not to cut the sewn threads. Measure a length of 1/4" elastic by wrapping it loosely around the head and subtracting one inch.

Then attach the elastic to the bodkin and insert it in the cut slit and begin to gather the fabric around it without pulling the elastic all the way into the casing.

Continue pulling the elastic through all the way, then remove the bodkin and tie the two elastic ends together.

Then scrunch up the gathering around the hat so it gathers evenly...for my first time making a muffin hat, I think it turned out fantastic!

Try it on and make sure it fits right, or tighten the elastic until it fits comfortably.

Continue pulling the elastic through all the way, then remove the bodkin and tie the two elastic ends together. Then scrunch up the gathering around the hat so it gathers evenly. Try it on and make sure it fits right, or tighten the elastic until it fits comfortably.

Step 7: Strawberry!

Last step and final touch for the Strawberry Shortcake costume hat is to hot glue a little strawberry on the top!

I decided to glue it to the elastic gather portion instead of right on top like the cartoon character.

I didn't want to think about how to keep the inside of the hat big and poofy with a heavy strawberry on top...but decide what you like best.

I love how it turned out!

If you can't find a fake strawberry, you can cut a strawberry shape from red felt and glue it on the hat band.

That's all there is to make a cute muffin hat...elastic bucket hat...or whatever we are calling this gathered bonnet.

This cute bonnet is great for a plethora of costumes, cosplays or theatrical productions.

It's easy to make and took me less than an hour to get this one finished.

It doesn't need any filling or stuffing...unless you really want to go big!

The double layer fabric makes it stiff enough to hold its shape very easily.

That's all there is to make a cute muffin hat...elastic bucket hat...or whatever we are calling this gathered bonnet. This cute bonnet is great for a plethora of costumes, cosplays or theatrical productions. It's easy to make and took me less than an hour to get this one finished.

Now assemble the rest of the Strawberry Shortcake costume with a red dress, white apron, green and white striped tights, some sensible shoes...and possibly a pink cat!

You could cut out green diamonds from felt and adhere them to the apron or use fabric paint to paint them on...but I keep it simple so I can use the apron for other costumes.

I absolutely love dressing up! I dress up regularly and for no reason at all.

I was hoping to get this costume finished in time for FanX last week, but my strawberry fabric didn't arrive in time, so I had to make adjustments and dressed Fallout instead.

Last year during October, I dressed up for church every week. I decided that this year, I'd start in September and dress up every week.

My local congregation likes to see how I'll come dressed each week for church! Strawberry Shortcake was definitely a favorite among the masses.