How to make a Poison Ivy costume

Step 1 - Carefully cut the ivy leaves off the stems.

Step 2 - Lay the corset out and begin hot gluing the leaves one at a time on the corset. If you have a dressform, fit the corset on there and start gluing. It is so much more easier, but not needed. I started attaching the leaves from the upper edge (at the bust), then around to the back and worked my way down. Don't worry if leaves aren't in place, you can just layer it. Make sure to cover the corset up good. You don't want any of the black from the corset to show. When you get around to the back (near the lacing), position the leaves so they fit and cover around the lacing holes.

Step 3 - Lay out the bikini bottoms and begin gluing the leaves on. With the bottoms, i first folded and glued over the edges, then covered the rest of it. When i was done, i did the edges again, just layering the leaves over so it had the pointed leafy look effect to it. The bottoms will become stiff. You will have to wiggle into it, unless you're good with sewing and add a zip to the side. Otherwise, nothing wrong with wiggling. : ) Nothing broke apart for me when i did it. Also, if you decide to stretch your bottoms and glue, it will be stuck at the stretch size, and you will have to take it in. So better not to do it that way unless you are fine with taking it in.

Step 4 - There are different ways of doing the boots. You can just put some leaves at the top, or leave them completely plain, or cover it all up, which i did. This is completely simple. Just glue the leaves on. There isn't a way to mess this up (unless you glue on the zipper, which i hope you know is a no no).

Step 5 - Okay, so you have done the corset, the bottoms, the boots. You're all set pretty much. Just put on your tights, and wig and there you go!

Accessories

Body leaves and Eyebrows -

So if you did choose to go with the leaves on the body, and/or the eyebrows, you will be needing to work with spirit gum. So when you put the glue on your body, what you want to do is use your finger and pat it a few times, until it becomes tacky, Then apply the leaf and press it down, and smoothen it. You want to hold it in place for about 30 seconds just to make sure. The eyebrows are done the same way. Just be careful when removing and apply around eyes and to eyebrows.

Wig -

Okay, it is my pet peeve when people wear wigs without wig caps and then their strands of hair are peeking out. It looks so sloppy. When putting on your wig, please use a wig cap! It gives it a more smoother, neater, more believable look. So please, don't go out looking like a hot mess!

Makeup -

There are soooooo many variations of Poison Ivy's makeup as there are her costumes. Despite being not so original with her costume, i kept her original makeup look. I used a red eyeliner pencil and penciled in/colored my brows, bright red lip stick, and used a combination of reds and yellows (to calm it down) for my eyes. It was very basic. Other looks you can do is use a green eyeliner to draw some vines along the sides of your face, and your body too.

Headband -

The headband is simply a hot gluing process that takes about 5 minutes to complete. What you want to do is glue the leaves around the headband first to cover it up. Then you was to use one big leaf from the bunch and glue it in the middle , then alternate with a small one. You want to glue them facing forward so they get a kind of lifted, pointy look.

Cape and gloves -

It was my decision to go without a cape and gloves. I didn't forget it, i just did not want it.

So if you have bought, and followed my directions, you now have a successful Poison Ivy costume that you can go show off and look fabulous in. It was simple and you can walk around with the confidence knowing you MADE your costume and didn't buy it like most of the people around you. Indulge in your success. You have earned it, my friend. :D