
One of my superpowers is the ability to whip up a costume or craft at a moment’s notice using only what we have on hand. Our children, who sometimes failed to remember a deadline until the night before it was due, liked to test this skill. Â
The boys would usually remember these assignments just as Gerard and I were getting ready to relax and send them off to bed. Realizing that we had an hour or two of project homework ahead, the husband would expound on the virtues of planning while I would head downstairs to my craft stash.
Now, as an empty-nester, I kind of miss those challenges, but I remember the stress that late-night homework can bring. I put together this pattern with that in mind. I hope it will be useful should you find yourself in need of a beard for a last-minute costume.
You can craft this whimsical beard and mustache combo from felt for wear as a costume piece or, it can be cut from paper to use as a photo booth style prop. You can shrink, enlarge, widen, or narrow the pattern to fit nearly any face.Â
Standard size felt squares, and letter size paper means that you’ll probably have what you need on hand or that you can find it quickly. Add ribbon, yarn, cording or elastic for wear. Add a wavy craft stick or dowel for a fun and fast photo prop.
If you are in a serious hurry, just use the base with or without the mustache topper. Don’t have time to cut or glue all the whirly-gigs? No problem, just draw them on with a marker.Â
Inspiration for this project may be last-minute homework assignments, but this piece can work well for other costume needs for children and adults.
Materials for wear:
- Two pieces 9 x 12 felt squares
- Ribbon, yarn, cording or elastic (enough to secure beard to face)
- Thread
Materials for prop:
- Two pieces 8 1/2 x 11 craft paper
- Wavy craft stick or dowel
- Paint (for prop stick – optional)

Supplies and tools for felt version

Supplies and tools for paper version
Tools:
To machine cut:
- SVG Cut File
- Cutting machine with mat and blade
- Scissors
- Beacon Felt Glue
- NeedleÂ
- Glue pen (for the paper version)
- Hot glue gun (for the paper version)
- Hot glue (for the paper version)
- Foam brush (to paint prop stick – optional)
NOTE: If using a cutting machine, be sure to secure your material to the proper mat for your machine. Select the appropriate cutting settings and install the correct cutting blade for the material.Â
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To hand cut:
- Pattern PDF
- Scissors or X-Acto knife
- Beacon Felt Glue
- Cutting mat (optional)
- Needle
- Glue pen (for the paper version)
- Hot glue gun (for the paper version)
- Hot glue (for the paper version)
- Foam brush (to paint prop stick – optional)
Before You Get Started:
Get the PDF pattern and SVG cut file are in the Haunted Library.
If you are going to use a cutting machine, upload the pattern file to your design software. To cut by hand, print, cut out the pattern and trace onto materials.
Steps:

Glue overlay beard to the base
1. Cut out one base, one mustache, and one whimsical beard overlay from your felt or paper. Place your base, right side up, and position the whimsical overlay and mustache on top. Using the Beacon Felt Glue for the felt version or a glue pen for the paper version, adhere the overlay to the base.

Glue overlay mustache to the base
2. Glue the mustache to the base.
TIP: For a fun alternative, stitch the mustache and overlay onto the base using a sewing machine or with a decorative hand-stitch.

Measure and cut elastic or ribbon
3. Once the glue has dried, hold the felt beard to your face to determine where you’d like to place ties and measure out enough ribbon to tie around your head.Â
TIP: My head measures approximately 21 1/2″ around, and I used 36″ of ribbon (18″ per side). For the elastic version, I used 15″ of elastic.

Add elastic or ribbon
4. For felt version, stitch ribbon or elastic to the back of the base. For the paper version, paint prop stick (if desired) and hot glue to the back of the beard.Â

Whimsical Last Minute Costume Beards
5. If your character sports a beard (lumberjack, leprechaun, Santa, etc.), this pattern allows you to mix and match felts or papers to craft the look you need.Â