DIY Hamilton Costumes!

Some years it’s easy to predict which costumes we’ll see a lot of and this is one of those years! Hamilton costumes are bound to be popular choices, especially among teens and adults. We really love Hamilton, it’s undeniably a work of art! My 13-year-old is especially into it, but she’s decided to be someone from Avatar: The Last Airbender instead (though she’s prone to changing her mind!!)

Even though I won’t be making Hamilton costumes myself this year, I wanted to go ahead and put together a post all about sewing Hamilton anyway! Some posts are quick to research and write, but this is not one of those, ha! I spent a ton of time researching these costumes and finding the best patterns and tracking down fabrics and I enjoyed every minute. If you’re making a Hamilton costume this year, I hope this post will help you with how DIY your own costume for the Schuyler sisters, Hamilton himself, George Washington or even King George.

Just for fun, I also read about the costume designer for Hamilton and really enjoyed reading about his vision and process. I think one of the reasons I love musical theater is because it’s just so darn creative. When a ton of creative and talented people are involved, it always makes for something amazing.

Let’s get to it!

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I’ve tracked down patterns, fabrics, notions and accessories for the ladies of Hamilton, the gentlemen and also King George costumes. A couple of notes before I start, though:

First there are always cheaper way to do things! I sew on a budget, so I always check the thrift store for costume fabrics that will work before I buy any yardage. For these costumes, the linens section could really have what you need! Brocade curtains, fleece blankets, linen. Look for those kinds of things. You can even spray point shoes and boots and harvest buttons from other garments.

Second thing to note: I’ve included the links to all the items pictured under each collage, including what exactly they are, so if you decide to go shop in person, you’ll know which fabrics to look for.

Here we go!

Sewing Hamilton Costumes: The Schuyler Sisters

1. Gathered lace for bodice trim

2. Six inch lace for sleeve trim

3. McCall’s 7965

4. Two Toned Taffeta. This comes in a ton of colors and is surprisingly inexpensive!

5. Readymade Petticoat.

Sewing Hamilton Costumes: The Gentlemen

There are a lot of mens’ costumes in Hamilton and while these supplies are specifically for the soldier costumes, the patterns listed can be adapted to make pretty much any of the other coat/vest combinations in the other looks.

1. Boot covers. Another option is to spring paint and adapt thrifted boots.

2. Burda 2471. This jacket and vest can be adapted to mimic any of Hamilton’s looks!

3. McCall’s 6143. This one is for boys or men and is a simpler version of each piece. This one also includes the ascot! Otherwise, you can buy an ascot ready made.

4. Simplicity 4923. This coat and vest can also be adapted, but you’ll one of the others for the pants.

5. Ivory Felt. This is one option for the coat trim.

6. Blue wool blend for the coat.

7. Ivory Ponte Knit. This would be my choice for the pants and vest. I could work for the jacket facings/trim also and it would all match.

8. Antiqued gold buttons.

Sewing Hamilton Costumes: King George

There are a LOT of little elements to King George’s costumes! But this will get you started, then you can study his full look and see how elaborate you want to get with all the adornments.

1. Butterick 5161 for the crown. This pattern is out of print, but easy to find on Etsy.

2. Simplicity 9096 for the cloak. It would need adapted slightly to look exactly right, but it would be easily recognizable as King George if you made it as is too.

3. Burda 2471 for the pants, vest and jacket. Just deck the jacket out in lace and gold trim!

4. Red brocade fabric and/or red costume satin

5. Dalmation print fleece. I looked high and low for a similar fleece or fur and this is the closest I could find. You can also buy white and paint on the spots if you want them farther apart like the real thing. In close ups, it actually looks like tufts of black fir sticking out of the white, lower pile fur … but I’ll let you decide how screen accurate you want it to be, haha.

6. Gold trim. You’ll need this is varying sizes and types, but this is good one to start with.

7. Ruffled lace for the sleeve trim.

8. RTW satin bow tie.

9. Not pictured (whoops) — King George wears an ascot! Buy an ascot, or use McCall’s 6143 to make one. King George also carries a sceptor/cane.

I hope this has inspired you! If you’re like me and have a teenager who asked to be one of these characters for Halloween and your first thought was that it would cost a fortune, hopefully seeing this breakdown of the pieces makes it feel more doable for you. Of course, no one says you have to make costumes! You can always just buy them. No pressure to sew all the things just because you can.

As for me, sewing costumes is one of my favorite things! I created a post last Fall with all of the DIY costumes I have ever made (it’s a LOT!). So check that out for more costume ideas. I also have a post about Cosplay, what it is and how to get started. I saw yesterday that Amanda Haas has a new book out about creating costumes for cosplay, called Creative Cosplay and it looks like a good one.

Are you sewing costumes this year? Do you get started this early? I’d love to hear all about what you’re making!