This costume is made by sandwiching a long, 5-in.-wide strip of upholstery foam between two large, SpongeBob-shaped pieces of upholstery foam. (Upholstery foam is available at fabric stores.) SpongeBob's features are made of colored foam sheets (such as Fun Foam) and felt. Use the printable diagram.
Step 2
On a grocery bag that you have cut open, draw a trapezoid shape that is 20 inches high, 16 inches across at the top, and 14 inches across at the bottom. Round the top corners; this will be the top of SpongeBob's head.
Step 3
Cut out this paper pattern and use the marker to trace it onto the 1-inch-thick upholstery foam. Trace it twice, once for the front of the costume and once for the back of the costume.
Step 4
Cut a 5- by 54-inch strip from the 3-inch foam. Keep the cut edge straight by carefully holding the scissors at a right angle to the foam.
Step 5
Have your child lie down on the paper pattern. Draw a 6-inch diameter circle where the face will go. (The top of the circle should be approximately 7 inches down from top.) Draw lines on the paper pattern marking the tops of your child's shoulders. Cut the face hole out of the paper pattern.
Step 6
Cut out the front and back pieces of the costume from the 1-inch foam. Use the marker to trace the face hole onto one of these pieces. Trace the shoulder marks onto both pieces of foam.
Step 7
Cut the face hole out of the foam with the scissors. You may want to cut a smaller hole and enlarge it after your child has tried the costume on for size.
Step 8
The costume is put together by sandwiching the 5- by 54-inch strip of foam between the back piece of the costume and the front piece. Place the back piece (the piece without the hole) on a flat surface and run a bead of glue along the perimeter, an inch from the outside edge. Affix the cut side of the 5- by 54-inch strip along this bead of glue. (The back piece will now look like it has a 5-inch wall around three sides.) Run a bead of glue along the top edge of the strip and place the second piece of the costume (the front piece) carefully on top.
Step 9
Draw an upside-down "U" on each side of the 5- by 54-inch strip so that the shoulder marks are at the top of the "U." These will be the costume's armholes. Cut these out. You may want to cut smaller "U's" and try the costume on your child. You can then cut more until the costume rests on your child's shoulders and the face hole lines up correctly with your child's face.
Step 10
Glue a 4-inch length of elastic across the bottom of each armhole to keep the armholes tight under your child's arms.
Step 11
Spray the entire foam body with yellow spray paint. Allow the paint to dry (about 20 minutes).
Step 12
On the remaining grocery bags, draw SpongeBob's facial features, his collar, and his tie freehand. Use the photo for reference. Cut out the paper patterns and place them on the body. When you are satisfied with SpongeBob's look, trace these patterns onto the colored foam sheets and cut them out. Cut the collar and tie out of felt.
Step 13
Glue the felt and the foam shapes to the front of the costume as shown in the photo. Using the small brush, paint the green spots and the red outline of SpongeBob's chin. Allow the paint to dry about 20 minutes.
Step 14
Under the costume, your child should wear tan shorts with a black belt, tube socks, black shoes, and a yellow turtleneck under a white T-shirt. Yellow sweat pants or leggings are optional.
