Low-Sew Pinata Pup Halloween Costume

Cut and Fringe Felt Strips

First, measure the back area of your pup's tee to determine the length of strips you need. Use your rotary cutter, ruler and mat to cut several 1-inch-wide strips of each of the felt colors. Note: The amount of strips needed will depend upon the size of your pup. Create the fringed effect by making small evenly spaced cuts along each strip with scissors (Image 1).

Begin Attaching Strips

Starting along the T-shirt's neckline, add a thin line of hot glue then cover with a fringed felt strip. Tip: Glue a few inches at a time to keep glue from drying too quickly. Gently lift up the strip, add another line of glue then attach a second and third strip (Image 1).

Complete Shirt

Continue attaching strips, alternating colors as you go, until the entire back of the shirt is covered. Cut off any extra felt around the shirt's side seams and add a coordinating felt strip around the armholes, neckline and bottom of the shirt (Image 1).

Create Hat

Cut two hat forms out of felt (Image 1). Starting about 1/4" down from the top, begin attaching fringed felt strips, alternating colors as you go (Image 2). Tip: Allow for a slight overhang of each felt strip, which will be cut off in a later step (Image 3).

Create Cone Shape

When the entire form is finished, fold it over with the fringed pieces on the inside and hand-sew or glue the edges together to create a seam. Cut off any excess felt and turn the cone-shaped hat right-side-out again. Tip: Use hot glue to secure any felt pieces that have shifted. When both hats are complete, hand-sew them together with the seams pointing to the back.

Finishing Touches

To finish the mini hats, cut two strips of each color ribbon and stitch onto the top of each hat using needle and thread. Hot-glue on a yellow pom-pom to cover the stitching. Next, measure the length of elastic you need to stretch under your pup's chin, then cut the elastic 1" shorter than the measurement so it will fit comfortably but snugly. Hot-glue the ends of the elastic to the inside of the hat and cover the attachment spot with a tiny square of felt to better secure it (Image 1). Dress your pup in their new Halloween costume, making any necessary adjustments to ensure that both the T-shirt and hat fit comfortably (Image 2).