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DIY Ghost Pinafore Costume for Kids | Easy Halloween Tutorial (FREE PATTERN) Summary This ghost pinafore was such a fun and cozy project for my daughter’s first real Halloween. It’s an easy beginner sewing project using a free pattern and can be customized with felt or vinyl details. If you’re looking for a simple, budget-friendly kids costume, this is a great place to start! Storytime! This year is my daughter’s very first time trick-or-treating! Last year, she was still a baby — adorable, of course, but we decided to skip going door-to-door since it felt a little awkward with just two adults and a tiny pumpkin in tow. Now that she’s older, we’re making the most of Halloween! Since we live in the Midwest (where the weather can never decide between fall and winter), I wanted to make her a costume that would be comfortable, easy to layer, and still super cute. That’s how this DIY Ghost Pinafore Costume for Kids came to life! It’s simple, cozy, and perfect for unpredictable fall wea...
When I first started looking for babywearing sweaters, I was shocked to see prices ranging from $60 to over $100. As much as I loved the idea, I knew I couldn’t spend that much. So instead, I decided to make my own DIY babywearing sweater—a budget-friendly, breastfeeding-friendly option that cost me less than $20 using clearance fabric, a free pattern, and a zipper.
I originally made this sweater after my baby was born at the end of winter. By the following cold season, she was still little and not yet walking, so I needed something cozy that would keep us both warm while running errands. This project was the perfect solution—it kept her close, gave me hands-free mobility, and made life so much easier without the bulk of extra layers. The best part? It’s also breastfeeding-friendly!
In this post, I’ll show you how I hacked a free sweater pattern into an affordable babywearing sweater that’s comfortable, practical, and easy to sew.
(I used an athletic knit, but you can use anything stretchy)
20-22 in invisible zipper (if you’re doing a medium)
Regular scissors
Fabric scissors
Measuring tape
Pins
Steps
Print and cut the pattern to your size. (I went with a size Medium instead of a small to make sure I had room for the carrier, her, and me.)
Measure from your co
llar bone to your bust point (ex. 4 inches) (this is where you want the zipper to sit on your sweater)
Placing the zipper here allows the sweater to open up and fit comfortably around your baby carrier while keeping both of you cozy.
It also allows easy access to breastfeed without removing layers.
Measure down the fold line then draw a line across.
After the cut!
Take your front pattern piece and measure from the side you're supposed to put on the folded edge to where your bust point would sit. Draw a straight line across and cut.
Lay your pattern pieces on the fold and add 1/2 inches seam allowance
Pin your now 2 pattern pieces to your fabric and add an additional 1/2in seam allowance to where you cut.
Attach the invisible zipper
TIP: baste before sewing to make sure it’s where you want it and your fabric matches up!
8. Follow the pattern as normal
If you plan on adding a zipper to the back piece, repeat the same steps, but measure to the end of your shoulder blade.
Finished Look!
And that’s it! With just a free pattern and a small hack, you can create your own cozy babywearing sweater for under $20. It’s the perfect mix of practical and budget-friendly. If you make one, I’d love to see it—tag me on Instagram/Tiktok or leave a comment below with your version!
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