Hey look — is that a macaron? Eating a macaron? Yes! I came up with a DIY French macaron costume a while ago and had a blast making it. This costume is simple to put together and delivers that signature ruffled “pied” or “foot” using a sewing machine. You can choose any color or flavor, or skip the ribbon and adapt the idea into a cookie-sandwich costume with felt chocolate chips.
Supply List:
Cardboard
Quilt batting
Polyfill (for loft and puffiness)
Hot glue and glue gun
Scissors
Yardstick or compass tool
3 yards cotton fabric (for a 20″ diameter costume—adjust as needed)
Felt for lining or decoration
5 yards wide satin ribbon
Thread and sewing machine
Note: I used twine and pencils to fashion a simple compass to cut my circles.
Instructions:
1. Cut two cardboard circles to the diameter you want. Mine were about 20″ across. Place one cardboard circle on a double layer of quilt batting and cut a batting circle that extends roughly four inches beyond the cardboard on every side.
2. Pile a generous amount of polyfill on top of the cardboard—more fill makes a puffier macaron. Cover with your batting circle and flip the assembly over. Use hot glue around the edge to attach the batting to the cardboard. It doesn’t need to be perfect because it will be covered.
3. Repeat the batting and polyfill steps with the second cardboard circle.
4. Lay one padded circle on your fabric and cut a fabric circle with plenty of extra around the edges so you can wrap and gather it. Wrap the fabric tightly around the batting-covered cardboard and secure the excess with hot glue, pulling the fabric smooth and taut as you work.
5. To hide the raw fabric edges, cut a circle of felt slightly smaller than the finished piece and glue it over the back. Set this piece aside while you prepare the ruffled “foot.”
6. Measure the circumference of the covered cardboard circle (that is, measure all the way around). For my 20″ pieces the circumference was about five feet. Cut two lengths of wide satin ribbon roughly two feet longer than the circumference so you’ll have extra for gathering and finishing—mine were seven feet each.
7. On a sewing machine set to a long basting stitch, sew a single straight line down the center of each ribbon length. Carefully pull one thread to gather the ribbon until its gathered length matches the circle’s circumference. Fold and stitch the raw ribbon ends to prevent fraying.
8. Working in small sections, apply hot glue around the edge of one covered cardboard circle and press the gathered ribbon into the glue so the ruffle sits flush against the edge. Continue around the entire circle. Repeat for the second circle and ribbon.
9. Once both ruffled edges are attached, position the two circles so the gathered edges face each other like a macaron shell and the smooth sides face outward. Add straps: measure the child and cut two ribbon straps to the desired length. You can glue them in place or use safety pins so the straps remain adjustable.
10. Finish the look with a simple outfit underneath — a shirt-dress, leggings and a beret work great. Slip the costume over your child’s head and adjust the straps for comfort.
This design is flexible: use different fabrics, swap ribbon colors, or add felt decorations to mimic sprinkles, faces, or filling. The result is a whimsical, comfortable costume that reads instantly as a French macaron.
All photos by Studio DIY. Enjoy making (and maybe snacking on) macarons while you craft!
All Photos by Studio DIY
Macarons and macaron shopping bag from ‘lette macarons (product images credited to the shop).