To neaten up the tabard, you can hem the edges. You can do this with a sewing machine if you have one, but for a no-sew option use something like Wonderweb hemming tape. Place the tape on the inside of the fabric, a couple of inches up from the edge. Then, fold the rough edge of the fabric so that it covers the hemming tape. You can then place a damp cloth on top and run a hot iron along the hem to bond the tape in place. If you've got a little Joseph or a Shepherd, you'll be pleased to know this is one of the easier costumes to rustle up! You simply need to make a plain or stripy tunic and tie it around your child's waist with a length of rope or a leather belt. Plus, find out how to make your own no-sew tutu here– and you can pair it with a white top or white leotard to complete your little one's outfit. Villagers / inn keeper / shepherd – t-shirt in brown, beige, darker colours. Or if you can find one with vertical stripes, that would work for a shepherd.

Cut around the semi-circle so that your child has a hole to put their head through. If you like, you could stop here with the tabard, but if you want to make it neater then follow the next steps.Again, you can make a simple tunic for these costumes –just use a colourful or velvet fabric for a King or a Wise Man. For more regal accessories, add a statement piece of jewellery, such as a large pendant. A simple Joseph costume with a simple tan polyester gown with an over coat and also a matching headpiece. A child can wear sandals to complete the look of Joseph.

Follow our step-by-step picture guide to make a Nativity costume for Mary. 2 How to make a Joseph or Shepherd Nativity costume For most Nativity costumes, you can get away with a tabard or a tunic to make up the base of the outfit. Ok, tea towel and band were easy enough. I just needed to find a non-musty, non-crumpled one that’s not ‘grey’ from overuse, never to see white again. And a band – bit of elastic would do fine, so he could just slip it over his head. It was a shame we’d given away my mum’s old arabic head-dress from her time living in Saudi Arabia as a child. But a tunic. I didn’t really want to sew, so I debated using a pillowcase and cutting head and arm holes. The only problem was getting that on and off. N’s not as small as he used to be so I didn’t think a pillowcase would fit.Child’s Biblical shepherd costume and be used for many of your church programs and includes: a robe with attached overcoat, and the headpiece. The staff is available separately. You can then decorate it in the colours of the animal. For added authenticity, cover the cardboard in furry fabric. Faces can then be painted to add an extra cute dimension to your child's outfit. There are certainly many places you can buy animal outfits which can be used for Nativity plays, but another really simple, cheap way to get into the role is with a simple headband, tail and face paints. To make your angel's halo, you can simply use a plain headband with some silver or gold pipe cleaners. Easy! Find more steps on how to make a halo here.

It all was going swimmingly until I cut the hole out. N refused to try it on, so it ended up being too big. I’d need to get the needle and thread out, and probably would need to sew up some of the sides as well to make it easier to wear.

Nativity Pageant Shepherd Costumes

However, amongst all the excitement you've probably got the stress of making their Nativity play costume yourself. All you need is a long rectangle of fabric to fashion into a tunic, or you can even cheat and adapt an old pillowcase for little ones! Once you've made the tunic (trust us: it's easy peasy) then you're pretty much halfway there to any Nativity costume. All you need to add are a few accessories depending on the character and you're sorted.