How to Make a Lion's Tail for a Child

Your child will prowl with pride in his lion's costume.

If your child wants to be a mighty lion for Halloween or is going to be a lion in a school play, he will need a costume that captures the majestic animal's distinctive mane, perked, rounded ears and long, swishing tail with a tuft of fur at the end. The tail is quite easy to make. Use gold or brown fabric and brown yarn to make your child a fabulous tail.

Things You'll Need

• Elastic
• Measuring tape
• Gold or brown fabric
• Scissors
• Brown yarn

Instructions

1. Measure your child's waist. Cut the elastic the appropriate length so that it fits comfortably.

2. Cut out a piece of fabric 2-1/2 inches by 18 inches, as well as 12 pieces of yarn that are 6 inches long each.

3. Lay out the fabric with the wrong side facing up. Fold one of the short sides up so that the right side shows half an inch. Sew the seam shut.

4. Fold each piece of yarn in half and lay the folded end on top of the seam you just made. Sew the pieces of yarn to the fabric as close as possible to the seam.

5. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise with the wrong side still exposed. Sew the 18-inch side of the fabric together, 1/4 inch in from the edge. Turn the fabric inside out so that the right side is now exposed and the pieces of yarn dangle down.

6. Overlap the ends of the elastic one over the other and sew them together. Fold the un-yarned end of the fabric over the seam in the elastic. Sew the fabric to the elastic on both sides. This will attach the tail to the elastic band and allow the child to easily pull it up around his waist.

References

• Simplicity Creative Group: Sewing Techniques