No-Sew Halloween Pet Costume: Flower

Create Petals

Create templates for cutting flower petals by folding a piece of scrap paper in half then sketching out a traditional heart shape measuring approximately 5-1/2" tall by 3" wide with a short stem instead of a pointed tip. Using another scrap, sketch out a second smaller stemmed heart measuring approximately 4-1/2" tall by 1-1/2" wide and a third flat-bottomed heart measuring approximately 3-1/2" tall by 1" wide. Cut out the paper templates but leave them folded. Fold the craft foam in half, place the stemmed paper templates on top and cut 4 petals out of both the dark purple craft foam and the light purple craft foam (Image 1). Tip: Folding the foam petals gives the finished flower more dimension. Finally, fold the white glittered craft foam in half and use the flat-bottomed template to cut out 4 small, white petals (Image 2).

Create Leaves

Fold light and dark green foam sheets in half lengthwise then cut out basic leaf shapes — no template necessary (Image 1). To add dimension, cut out an opposite color vein for each leaf from the leftover light and dark green foam sheets. Attach the foam veins by applying a thin line of hot glue to back of the vein before pressing onto the leaf (Image 2).

Create Flower's Center

Using a serrated knife, cut foam sphere in half. Tip: Rubbing an old candle over the teeth of the blade will make cutting easier. On a protected work surface, paint foam half with bright yellow craft paint (Image 1). After paint has fully dried, coat foam with spray adhesive. Allow a minute or two for adhesive to tack up then sprinkle on glitter (Image 2).

Assemble Flower

Cut a small square out of leftover craft foam to use as a backing. Apply hot glue to the scrap foam then attach the first layer of dark purple petals (Image 1). Note: Hot glue bonds the craft foam almost instantly so be careful with your placement. Next, attach the second layer of petals, placing them so they fill in the gaps between the dark purple petals (Image 2). Attach smaller white sparkly petals so they fill in the gaps between the light purple petals (Image 3). Finally, squeeze a generous amount of hot glue onto the flower's center and top with the glittered foam half sphere, press and hold the foam in position while the glue cools (Image 4).

Attach Leaves

Decide placement for leaves — you don't want them hitting your pup in the back of the head so leave an area near the top of the flower free of leaves. Flip flower over and attach leaves to the backside with hot glue.

Dress Dog

Put your pup in their harness (I used a step-in style). Hold finished flower over pup's back to determine exact placement. Cut squares of double-sided tape a little smaller than harness straps; attach tape to harness where it will be covered with flower or leaves (Image 1) then top with finished flower (Image 2). Tip: With a step-in style harness, you may need to first secure the leash hooks with masking tape so they aren't in the way.