Ursula, Sea Witch, Costume Tutorial
DIY Ursula Costume Tutorial: How I Made My Daughter’s Glow-in-the-Dark Sea Witch Look
When my daughter announced she wanted to be Ursula, the sea witch from The Little Mermaid, I couldn’t have been more excited. This costume was a chance to go all out, and we had so much fun putting it together! Here’s the full tutorial so you can create this striking DIY look at home—complete with glow-in-the-dark details that had my daughter’s friends talking all day!
If you’re looking for something unique and memorable this Halloween, this Ursula costume is the way to go. I’ve linked all the materials to make shopping easier!
Materials:
- White Faux Fur – For that signature Ursula hair.
- Baseball Cap – The foundation of the wig, making it easy for little ones to wear.
- Glow-in-the-Dark Sealer – This sealer added an extra “wow” factor, making the hair glow!
- Black Tulle Dress – Simple, layered, and perfect for that underwater look.
- Fabric (black, purple) – For making Ursula’s tentacles. Any material/style. I got mine from Dollar Tree and Joann's.
- Metal Snap Tape – To easily secure the tentacles to the dress.
- Pipe Cleaners – For shaping the tentacles, making them bendy but strong.
- Cotton – To fill the tentacles and add some volume.
- Felt Fabric (white, gold, purple) – Perfect for the wig, seashell necklace, and earrings.
- Ribbon or string – Used to make Ursula’s iconic seashell necklace. I had some old material from old projects.
Steps to Create the Tentacles & Dress:
- Cut Tentacle Shapes: Start by cutting long, tentacle shapes from both the black and purple fabric.
- Sew the Tentacle Edges: Place a black and purple piece together (inside out) and sew or glue along the edges.
- Add Pipe Cleaners: Turn the tentacle right-side out, then glue a pipe cleaner down the middle of the purple side to help it bend. If a single pipe cleaner isn’t strong enough, try twisting 4-5 together.
- Stuff with Cotton: Lightly fill each tentacle with cotton, being careful not to overstuff (it could make them too heavy to stay bent).
- Add Suction Cups: Cut small “O” shapes from purple fabric to create suction cups and glue them along the purple side of each tentacle.
- Repeat: Continue making tentacles until you have as many as you’d like—eight is perfect for a classic Ursula look, but you may need less for kids.
- Adjust the Dress: I removed an inner skirt layer and a tulle layer from the dress to make it lighter and more transparent so the tentacles would stand out. My daughter wore black shorts underneath for comfort.
- Attach Snap Tape: Sew (or glue) snap tape around the waist of the dress, just above the tulle skirt. You can use one long piece or smaller strips.
- Secure Tentacles: Roll the open ends of each tentacle and attach the opposite side of the snap tape. Tip: Double-check that one side of the snap tape is on the dress and the opposite on each tentacle.
- Shape Tentacles: Bend each tentacles so the purple is visible. If neededm you can stitch the black fabrics together to keep the bent (see photo above).
- Apply Glow-in-the-Dark Sealer (Optional): Add sealant to the suction cups on the tentacles to make them glow. Tip: Add multiple layers. This product works better on lighter colors.
- Add Extra Tulle (Optional): To cover the snap tape, I cut extra tulle into a 2.5 inch wide strip, then sewed it in a ruffled style around the waist.
Steps to Create the Wig:
- Cover the Cap: Take an old baseball cap and cut off the brim. Then cover it with white felt, adding a widow’s peak and sideburns to mimic Ursula’s look. I also extended the back to cover my daughter's natural hairline. Tip: I cut a hole on top of the cap so I can pull up my daughter's long hair through it, tied into a bun.
- Glue Faux Fur for Texture: Carefully glue white faux fur onto the felt in layers. For extra texture, I cut the fur into three wavy strips to create Ursula’s signature “spikes.” Tip: Only cut the base fabric of the fur, not the fur itself, to keep it fluffy. Again, I left an opening on top pull my daughter's hair bun through.
- Apply Glow-in-the-Dark Sealer: I used a glow-in-the-dark sealer to keep the hair in place and add a magical glow. Tip: The more you add, the better it glows!
Steps for the Seashell Earrings and Necklace:
- Make the Earrings: Cut two strips of purple felt, roll each one like a croissant, and glue them to the sideburns of the wig.
- Create the Seashell Necklace: Roll a 4x6 inch piece of gold felt at a slight angle on the longer side and secure with glue. Once dried, roll it again into a spiral (like a cinnamon roll) and secure it as you go. Attach a ribbon or string to the back of the shell to complete the necklace.
And that’s it! My daughter was thrilled with her costume, and the glow-in-the-dark wig was an instant hit. Friends loved it and talked about it all day at school! If you’re looking to make a memorable costume for your child, this DIY Ursula Sea Witch look is totally worth it.
I hope this tutorial helps you create an unforgettable Halloween costume! You can find links to all the materials we used, making it easier to get everything in one go. Happy Halloween crafting!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through these links. I only recommend products I genuinely love and believe will help you create a memorable DIY costume experience!