How to make a Moving Tail for an Animal Costume

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By Kylara
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make a Moving Tail for an Animal Costume

Here is a trick for making a tail for a costume that sticks out and really moves.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Step 1

Saw off a section of the end of the wooden snake equal to the distance you want the tail to stick out of your costume.
Step 2

Put on the back support belt and decide where you want the tail to be. Remove the belt and use the drill to make three pilot holes for your screws through the belt and into the cut end of the snake. The tail should be attached so that it moves from side to side not up and down.
Step 3

Run the screws through the belt from the inside and into the cut end of the snake. Screw the snake on tightly.
Step 4

Cut the fabric for the tail. It can be as long as you like and cut and stuffed into any shape. At the body end the fabric should be as wide as the diameter of the snake plus an inch for seam allowances.
Step 5

With right sides together sew the fabric tail together with a half inch seam allowance. Turn it right side out and stuff it leaving room for the wooden snake piece and another half inch seam allowance at the end. Sewing is better than gluing. Glue hardens and limits the movement of the hinge and thus the tail.
Step 6

Pull the tail onto the wooden snake piece. There are two ways to attach the fabric to the belt. Either turn the seam allowance in and sew it to the lifting belt or notch the seam allowance and turn it out and sew or glue it to the lifting belt. Wear the tail under the costume. Leave a slit in the back of the costume for the tail to go through.

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