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How to Make a Dinosaur Halloween Costume

Introduction

Longer than life

Bring your child's imagination to life with this dinosaur hat and tail that will have them roaring in no time! This costume is perfect for Halloween, birthday parties, or just everyday wear.

Step 1

How to Make a Dinosaur Halloween Costume

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How to Make a Dinosaur Halloween Costume

Image 2

Measure the head and tail of the little Dino

Measure the circumference of your child's head (Image 1). For the tail length, measure from the middle of your child's head, down the back to where you want the dinosaur's tail to end (Image 2).

Step 2

How to Make a Dinosaur Halloween Costume

Image 1

How to Make a Dinosaur Halloween Costume

Image 2

Cut the shape of the hat

Stretching from left to right, cut out four hat-shaped pattern pieces (middle ovals). The bottom straight edge should be the same width as the circumference of your child's head divided by two. The top center of your hat should be approximately 10" long from top to bottom, arching down on both sides (Image 1).

Pro Tip

Make sure the stretch in the knit is from left to right, not up and down. To resolve this, simply pull the fabric gently to see which way it stretches (Image 2).

Step 3

How to Make a Dinosaur Halloween Costume

Cut tail shape

Cut four tail pattern pieces that are the same length as the tail length measurement, with a long, straight edge and a curvy outer edge.

Stage 4

How to Make a Dinosaur Halloween Costume

Image 1

How to Make a Dinosaur Halloween Costume

Image 2

Cut the spikes

To make the spikes for your dinosaur tail, cut a strip of felt the same length as the length of your tail by 10" wide. Fold the strip in half lengthwise so it is 5" wide. Cut out several triangle shapes along the top of the felt strip, making sure to hold it together at the bottom. Cut two or three of these felt strips, depending on how many spikes you want to stick out (Image 1). Next, cut out some triangles from the felt to make them into spikes just for the hat (Image 2).

Step 5

How to Make a Dinosaur Halloween Costume

Image 1

How to Make a Dinosaur Halloween Costume

Image 2

How to Make a Dinosaur Halloween Costume

Image 3

Make dinosaur points

For additional dinosaur decoration, cut felt circles in various sizes (Image 1). Place the felt circles on top of the two pieces of fabric for the tail and pin. Adhere the circles with fabric glue or sew a curved line around each circle (Image 2). Then attach the circles to the two hat pieces (Image 3).

Step 6

How to Make a Dinosaur Halloween Costume

Sew head pins

Attach the felt triangle pieces to the curved edge of one of your hat pieces. Pin in place, and sew a line around the outside edge to secure.

Step 7

How to Make a Dinosaur Halloween Costume

Image 1

How to Make a Dinosaur Halloween Costume

Image 2

Sew hat pieces together

Place another hat pattern piece to the right along with the triangle felt hat piece, sandwiching the spikes in the center. Pin around the outer curved edge and sew (Image 1). Turn the hat to the right (Image 2). Repeat for the other two hat pattern pieces, placing the right sides together and sewing the outer curved edge. (The second set will be the hat liner.) Set aside all the hat pieces for now.

Step 8

How to Make a Dinosaur Halloween Costume

Sew tail pins

Place the long felt triangular strip along one of the straight edges of the decorated tail pattern piece. Pin in place and sew to secure.

Step 9

How to Make a Dinosaur Halloween Costume

Image 1

How to Make a Dinosaur Halloween Costume

Image 2

Sew tail pieces together

Place the other decorated tail pattern piece on top of the felt herringbone tail pattern, right sides together, snapping the points in the center. Pull along the long straight edge and sew to secure (Image 1). Unfold and you should now have this (Image 2). Place the other two tail pattern pieces together and sew along the long, straight edge. These will be the bottom of the tail.

Step 10

How to Make a Dinosaur Halloween Costume

Put it all together

These are the pieces you should have by now. Now it's time to sew them all together.

Step 11

How to Make a Dinosaur Halloween Costume

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How to Make a Dinosaur Halloween Costume

Image 2

Sew the pieces of glue together

Attach the two tail pieces to either side, joining the spikes once more in the middle. Pin around the sides and bottom, leaving the top open (Image 1). Sew around Turn the right side of the tail out through the open top edge and press (Image 2).

Step 12

How to Make a Dinosaur Halloween Costume

Image 1

How to Make a Dinosaur Halloween Costume

Image 2

How to Make a Dinosaur Halloween Costume

Image 3

Attach the hat lining

Place the hat liner inside the decorated hat, right sides together by matching the side seams. Pin around the bottom straight edge, leaving a 4-inch opening to turn (Image 1). Sew around, using a stretch stitch, serger, or zigzag stitch when sewing. This will ensure that your hat will still have the stretch it needs to go on and off your child's head. Turn the hat clockwise through the 4-inch opening (Image 2).

Pro Tip

Image 3 shows a close-up of a stretch stitch. Most sewing machines have a selection of stitches that allow stretching, check your manual. If you're not sure, a basic zigzag stitch will always work. Essentially, a stretch stitch allows the threads to separate and pull, unlike a basic straight stitch.

Step 13

How to Make a Dinosaur Halloween Costume

Image 1

How to Make a Dinosaur Halloween Costume

Image 2

Final touches

Slide the top edge of the tail into the 4-inch opening and snap on (Image 1). Sew around the bottom edge of the hat one more time to secure. Once again, use a stretch point. Take out your dinosaur hat and voila! (Image 2)

Step 14

How to Make a Dinosaur Halloween Costume

Roar

Place the dinosaur hat on your child's head and watch as they happily stomp on everyone.