Any ideas for easy-to-make children's Nativity costumes?

[Chanelno5]

Speaking as someone who doesn't know one end of a sewing machine from another and who has just got over the shock of having to sew on loads of name tags at the beginning of term, how would you go about making a 'lamb' outfit for dd's playschool Nativity play? It has got to be cheap, quick, comfortable (otherwise there's no way she'll wear it!) and above-all very easy to make. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Chanel, I couldn't begin to MAKE something but might white tights, polo neck/long-sleeved T-shirt and balaclava - with some kind of ears and tail sewn on - be manageable?
(Dunno if a white balaclava would be available though...maybe just a white woolly hat?)
Signed - a non-sewer! (I mend things with safety pins...)

Chanelno5, look in fabric shop for soft sheepy fabric and make a tunic shape, long piece - fold it over, cut head in centre, then just put ties on sides to hold it together - NO SEWING! - with a creamy/white polo neck underneath, cream tights, mittens with some of the fabric over the top to have furry paws, and then some fabric ears on the alice band. Oh and a tail.

OR, make a cardboard front and back (like armour!?) and stick on the cotton wool you buy in rolls.

You could do a cute little face paint nose if she'll let you.

Look of some websites for lamb ideas, maybe Letterbox, Blooming Marvellous or GLTC do sheep in their fancy dress.

Good luck! I hated doing last years shepherd, and cant believe a whole year has now passed and it is Nativity time again!

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If you cant face the sewing, use that wonderweb stuff you iron on to do up trouser hems, I made sons shepherd tunic with that last year, not a stitch in sight.

Thanks for all the great ideas - glad to hear that I'm not the only one who dreads making children's costumes!

I see that some of you have made sheperd's outfits. Please please help with advice for a 21months old!

Tia, long tunic, as mentioned before, longish in length, cord round tummy with long ends. Stripey tea towel or old pilow case on head with cord/plaited wool round it to keep it in place. Bare feet, long stick if you can find one and/or cuddly toy lamb if you can find/borrow one.

I thought Hopscotch was good value actually - but that's because I spent about the same on white lining fabric, velcro, tinsel and sparkly silver ribbon making an angel's outfit ... just before I discovered Hopscotch. And then spent three and a half hours' sewing it all!! Just praying now that it doesn't fall apart on stage next Tuesday! So how did yours go, Chanelno5? You've cheered me up - an angel's easy compared to a sheep!!

Inkpen - I must admit, I haven't even started it yet. Typical me leaving everything to the last minute!

ChanelNo5 - ds is a sheep on Tuesday. I cut out two fluffy shapes from cardboard and covered them in cotton wool. I then made a sort of headband with ears. The cardboard covered cotton wool shapes will be pinned to ds clothes with safety pins - front and back. Very cheap and very easy! Good luck.

OK, slightly off topic I know but in a similar vein:

Dd has to dress up for her last Tumble Tots class of the term which would be bad enough in itself but carers have to as well. So any of you got any bright ideas for the two of us which won't take all week to make and won't involve much shopping either. Oh, and allow enough movement for her to do all her usual climbing and jumping. PLEASE HELP !!

Must it be Christmas related, Twink, or can you go as anything? I was thinking of a pantomime cat - just need black tights, jumper etc, a cat mask or cat ears and face paint. Costumes are the bane of my life - I loathe having to provide them!

We can go as anything - which almost makes it harder to think of something !!