Make a Prickly Cactus Costume for a Toddler
This is the perfect handmade costume opportunity for any parents with a hand-holding child.
Inspired by the fact that my young child still walks holding my hands, a simple saguaro cactus costume was a prime choice for his first Halloween. You only need a few materials to make one of your own. If you’re looking for a matching big kid and adult ensemble, check out this cactus costume tutorial.
Materials and Tools
- a onesie or outfit of choice
- green dye
- needle
- thread
- scissors
- thick white cord (like a candle wick cord)
- felt
- hot glue gun and sticks
- paintbrush
- white paint
Choose Outfit
Emily Fazio
Choose an outfit that resembles a cactus when laid out. A onesie is a great choice.
Dye Outfit
Dye the outfit according to the dye package instructions. If you’re using a polyester fleece, you’ll need to find a poly-friendly fabric dye. Run the outfit through the washer with a gentle detergent, and dry it thoroughly to get any residual stain rinsed clean.
Prep for Sewing
Cut the white cord to 3" pieces and in bulk to save time. Cut the thread into 5" pieces.
Sew Spines
Run a piece of thread through the outfit at the designated spine point (Image 1). Lay two pieces of white cord perpendicular to the thread (Image 2), and knot the thread around the two pieces of cord (Image 3). Create an ‘X’ with the two pieces of cord, and knot the underlying cord around the overlapping piece (Image 4). Trim excess thread, and cut the ends of the white cord to 1" lengths (Image 5). Tip: Add the spines in vertical lines spaced 3-4 inches apart from head-to-toe. The more you add, the more realistic it will look.
Make Felt Flowers
Trim triangular pieces of felt, and fringe one edge. Add pieces of bright jute for more color if desired. Roll the felt up, using hot glue to keep it tight.
Attach Flowers to Outfit
Apply hot glue to the back of the felt flower, and attach it directly to the costume. We added five flowers total — two to the hood and three to the chest area of the costume.
Add Dots
Apply dots of white fabric paint between the spindles to add more definition.
