"Blind Ambition" Costume

This woman's collar may look worthy of Elizabethan royalty, but it's made from just a $5 window blind. Along with a multi-tiered waist ruffle fashioned from another blind, it transforms an office appropriate outfit into a costume.

By

Martha Stewart Editors

Updated on May 31, 2019

blind ambition paper costume — Photo: BARBARA DONNINELLI

What You'll Need

Materials

2 paper shades, each 36 by 72 inches (Pictured: Redi Shade paper blinds, in White, $5 each, homedepot.com)
Utility knife
5/8-inch white ribbon or twill tape, 22 inches long
3 sew-on snaps, size 2 (Pictured: by Dritz, $4,michaels.com )
Ribbon, 4 inches wide, length cut to your waist size plus 2 inches (Pictured: White grosgrain ribbon, 4", $3.25 for 3 yd., hairbowcenter.com)
Wire, 24 gauge (Pictured: Silver wire, 24 gauge, by Artistic Wire, $6 for 70 yd., silver wire, 24 gauge, by Artistic Wire, $6 for 70 yd., michaels.com )
Double-sided tape
Stapler
Dress pins

Instructions

To make collar, cut one closed shade to a 16-inch width.
Measure 1 inch in from end of folded shade. With knife, cut a 3/4-inch slit through all layers of shade. Thread 5/8-inch ribbon through slit.
Holding ends of ribbon, slowly unfold shade, creating an arc shape, as shown.
To make belt, sew snaps onto ends of 4-inch ribbon.
Make 5 fan shapes from second shade: Working with closed shade, cut three 12-inch widths. Unfold sections and cut in half. Refold pieces.
Wrap center of each folded piece with wire. Pinch top outer edges of shade; pull up so they meet, creating fan shape. Use double-sided tape to hold edges together.
Staple fans onto ribbon, in layers: 2 on bottom, 1 in middle, 2 on top.
Place collar around neck, and tie ribbon. To splay fan, pin outer edges of fan to shirt. Snap belt around waist.

Originally appeared: MARTHA STEWART LIVING, OCTOBER 2014