How to Make a Dalmatian Outfit Out of a Sweat Suit for Children

Cut the black felt into irregular-shaped spots for a more realistic look.

This year's Halloween will be gone to the dogs after you make a cute and simple Dalmatian costume for your child. If you have a white sweatshirt and sweatpants set, then half of the work of creating an adorable dog costume is already done. A few more materials for spots, ears and a tail, and your child will be trick-or-treat ready.

Things You'll Need

• White sweatpants
• White hooded sweatshirt
• Adhesive-backed black and pink felt
• Non-adhesive-backed white felt
• Fabric glue
• Cotton balls

Instructions

Instructions

1. Cut the adhesive-backed black felt into spots about 2 inches in diameter and stick them in a random pattern across the pants, top and hood.

2. Cut out two floppy ear-shaped pieces from the non-adhesive-backed white felt.

3. Cut out what will become the inside layer of the ears using the adhesive-backed, pink felt. The size of the pink felt should be cut so that it can lay on top of the white felt ears with just 1 or 2 inches of white left around the edges. Press the pink felt or "inside" of the ears onto one side of the white, felt ears.

4. Use fabric glue to attach the top of the ears to the sides of the sweat suit hood with the pink side facing down.

5. Apply adhesive-backed black felt spots to each of the ears on the white side that should be facing up.

6. Cut a piece of the non-adhesive-backed white felt in a 3-inch wide and 12-inch long piece.

7. Line the piece of felt with cotton balls as stuffing and glue the felt together length-wise and at one of the ends to create a tail. Glue the other end of the tail to the waistband of the sweatpants.

Tips & Warnings

• Draw whiskers and puppy nose on your child's face with black eyeliner or Halloween face paint.

• Put white socks on your child’s hands to create paws.

• White or black shoes will work with this costume.

• Place a dog collar comfortably around your child's neck if you have an extra one lying around the house.

References

• Parents: 5 Homemade Halloween Costumes