One way to make a California Raisin costume is with commercial pattern from a company,such as McCalls or Simplicity. Adapting a pumpkin costume pattern is simply a matter of changing the color of the fabric. If you don't want to spring for the cost of a pattern, then just follow the steps on this page.

You will need several yards of fabric that is just the right shade of purple, matching thread, several yards of 1/2" elastic and polyfiber filling. Don't forget the tennis shoes, black long sleeved shirt, white gloves, dark purple or black tights, and dark sunglasses.

Measure from the collarbone to just above the knee; this will be the length of the costume. For the fastest and easiest to make costume, buy the fabric in a width that is at least as wide as this measurement; generally, 45 to 60 inches are the standard fabric widths. Measure around the widest part of the body, usually the hips, and multiply by 3. This gives the number of yards for the outside section, and since there is also a lining multiply this first result by 2, round up and then add one more yard for the total yards needed. For example if your measurement is 40", then 40 x 3 equals 120 inches x 2 gives 240 inches which equals 6.66 yards. Round up to 7 yards, add an extra yard, so buy 8 yards. Buy at least 6 yards of 1/2" elastic. You may wish for your costume to be fuller, so adjust the amount of fabric you buy accordingly.

Quickly sew a straight seam all around the non-selvage edges of the fabric. Then wash the fabric in your machine and dry. You want this fabric to be as wrinkled as a, well, as a raisin. Sew a double basting seam around what will be the top and bottom of the costume. Use these as drawstrings to gather the fabric. Place it on a table and fold in half so that you have an outside and a lining, each 4 yards long. Begin to gather the edges with the basting drawstrings on the top side of the costume and place the polyfiber between the two pieces of fabric. Continue to draw the edges into the desired width to fit around your body. Drape it around your shoulders like a cape for measuring. Sew in the elastic using directions from the package. You will then need to determine where to put the openings for your arms. On one side you will be creating a seam, and you can leave an opening for your arm. On the other side there is a fold, and you will need to cut an arch through this side for an opening for your arm. Open the fabric and sew around edges of the arm opening to keep the poly filling from coming out. Then gather the bottom of the costume. You will want the bottom wide enough to allow you to move your legs to walk. Once you have the top and bottom of the fabric gathered to your desired width for the costume, and have sewn in the elastic, pin the ends together so you have a straight seam leaving an opening for your arm, and then sew the ends together to finish the costume. Put on the tights and black shirt. You will pull the costume on over your head or you may be able to step into it.

Put on the tennis shoes, gloves, and sunglasses then just be cool, California Raisin Cool!