Make a Kid's Dinosaur Costume From a Zip-Up Hoodie
You only need basic sewing skills to make this easy, inexpensive dinosaur costume. It's so comfy that kids big and small will want to wear it long after Halloween.
Marian Parsons Halloween Dinosaur Costume
This dinosaur costume is simple to make with basic sewing skills and so comfy that kids will want to wear it after Halloween.
Materials Needed:
- green zip-up hoodie sweatshirt
- 2 light green felt quarters
- 2 dark green felt quarters
- 4 felt quarters: 1 yellow, 1 white, 1 black and 1 orange
- small piece of cardboard
- chalk pencil
- pins
- green all-purpose cotton thread
- black all-purpose cotton thread
- scissors
- sewing machine
Make Dinosaur's Scales
Use a sharp pair of scissors to cut up back center of sweatshirt until peak of the hood (Image 1). Cut a triangle-shaped pattern (approximately 3" wide x 3-1/2" high) out of a piece cardboard to use as a template. Trace template onto dark green felt quarter with chalk pencil, making enough scales to evenly fill entire slit down sweatshirt back (Image 2). Make a second triangle template approximately 1/2" smaller in width and height. Trace smaller template onto light green felt with chalk pencil, making twice as many smaller triangles as larger ones. Line up bottom edge of light green triangle with bottom edge of dark green triangle. Repeat on other side, so larger, dark green piece is sandwiched between two lighter, smaller triangles. Pin three pieces together (Image 3). Repeat with other triangles until all are pinned. Sew triangles together with coordinating green thread (Image 4). Remove pins. Pin sewn scales into slit in back of sweatshirt, leaving about a 1" gap between each one (Image 5). Sew along pin line then remove pins.
Marian Parsons Halloween Dinosaur Costume
Use a sharp pair of scissors to cut up back center of sweatshirt until peak of the hood.
Marian Parsons Halloween Dinosaur Costume
Cut a triangle pattern out of a piece cardboard to use as a template. Trace template onto dark green felt.
Marian Parsons Halloween Dinosaur Costume
Make a second template half an inch smaller in width and height. Trace smaller triangle template onto light green felt with chalk pencil. Cut and pin the pieces together.
Marian Parsons Halloween Dinosaur Costume
Sew triangles together with coordinating green thread. Remove pins. Pin sewn scales into slit in back of sweatshirt, leaving about a 1 inch gap. Sew along pin line. Remove Pins.
Marian Parsons Halloween Dinosaur Costume
Sew triangles together with coordinating green thread. Remove pins. Pin sewn scales into slit in back of sweatshirt, leaving about a 1 inch gap. Sew along pin line. Remove Pins.
Make and Sew Eyes
With sharp scissors, cut two ovals, about 1 1/2" in length, from yellow felt quarter. Cut out two orange circles, slightly smaller than the width of the oval for the iris. Lastly, cut two black circles for pupils, slightly smaller than the orange. Layer felt cut-outs to create two eyes (Image 1). Pin one on each side of hood (Image 2). Sew around pupils with black thread to secure all three layers to hood (Image 3). Repeat with second eye and remove pins.
Marian Parsons Halloween Dinosaur Costume
Layer yellow, orange, and black felt cutouts to create two eyes for the dinosaur costume. Pin one on each side of hood.
Marian Parsons Halloween Dinosaur Costume
Pin the layered felt cutouts one on each side of hood. Sew with black thread to secure on the hood.
Make and Sew Teeth
Cut on center of fold around hood's hem (Images 1). If hoodie has a drawstring, remove it. Cut two 1" strips out of white felt quarter. Make angled cuts approximately 1" wide to create triangular "teeth" (Image 2). Out of the yellow felt quarter, cut several 3/4" strips to use as "gums" (Image 3). Position yellow strips inside cut in hood's hem. Arrange teeth on top with about 1/2" gap between each one. Pin in place. Allow yellow strips to slightly overlap behind a tooth when one ends and another begins. Sew along pin line with green thread to secure teeth and gums in place (Image 4). Remove pins and trim threads. Tip: To care for your finished costume: Hand-wash in lukewarm water with gentle liquid fabric soap and lay flat to dry.
Marian Parsons Halloween Dinosaur Costume
Use a sharp pair of scissors to cut on center of fold on hem around hood. If hoodie has a drawstring, remove it.
Marian Parsons Halloween Dinosaur Costume
Make dinosaur teeth by cutting white felt into triangle pieces. Arrange teeth on top with about half an inch gap between each one.
Marian Parsons Halloween Dinosaur Costume
Out of the yellow felt quarter, cut several three quarter inch strips to use as gums. Position yellow strips inside cut in hood hem.
Marian Parsons Halloween Dinosaur Costume
Secure teeth and gums by pinning them into place. Allow yellow strips to slightly overlap behind a tooth when one ends and another begins. Then, sew along pin line with green thread to secure teeth and gums in place
Marian Parsons Halloween Dinosaur Costume
This dinosaur costume is simple to make with basic sewing skills and so comfy that kids will want to wear it after Halloween.
