How to Make a Donkey Costume

You can make your own donkey costume.

A donkey costume is a simple, funny animal costume to make for Halloween or a theme party, such as the donkey in the animated film "Shrek." Children and adults can wear it, and alter it to fit their style. All it entails is some sewing and creativity.

Things You'll Need

• Gray sweatpants or tights
• Gray or black short skirt
• Gray long-sleeved shirt
• Sewing machine
• Headband
• 2 yards gray fabric
• 1 yard white fur or fluffy fabric
• Marker
• 1 large bag cotton stuffing
• Black gloves
• Gray, white and black face makeup (optional)
• Scissors
• 1 yard black fur or fluffy fabric
• Measuring tape
• Plain black tennis shoes or slippers

Instructions

1. Cut out 4 to 5 inches of black fur fabric (depending on the wrist measurements) that are about 1 inch thick, and sew each strip to the edge of each sleeve to create fur cuffs. You can sew the furry wrist cuffs onto the black gloves instead of the shirt if you'd prefer.

2. Cut out 4 to 5 inches of black fur fabric about 2 inches thick and attach the furry strips to the bottom cuffs of the sweatpants or tights.

3. Cut out a piece of gray fabric that's 2 to 3 feet long and 6 inches wide in the shape of an oval; taper the end of the tail a bit to make a point.

4. Lay the piece on the gray fabric, trace it and cut out that shape to make the other side of the tail.

5. Sew the edges of the gray donkey tail together, leaving the top edge of the tail open enough for you to insert the cotton stuffing.

6. Cut out two identical triangular pieces of black fabric that measure 2 to 3 inches. Sew the triangles onto each side of the end of the tail, creating a black tip.

7. Pack the tail firmly with cotton so it puffs out and will swing back and forth when you walk. Roll it down and outward a bit as you stuff it or use an untwisted coat hanger to shove the stuffing down. Sew the top part of the tail.

8. Sew the tail onto the back part of the costume, on the thickest part of the waistband of either the pants of the skirt, where it falls over the tailbone.

9. Cut out four tall, skinny ovals from the gray fabric, measuring 11 to 14 inches on each side.

10. Measure out two white pieces of furry fabric about 2 inches smaller on each side than the gray fabric. Sew the pieces to the two gray pieces, lining up the bottoms so there is gray showing around all sides of the white except for the bottom.

11. Sew the top two sides of each gray piece together, leaving the bottom open (where the white fabric is lined up evenly).

12. Pack cotton into each of the ears so they'll stand up straight when attached to the headband.

13. Measure the length of the headband, and cut a strip of the black or gray fabric that equals this measurement and is about 2 inches thick. Fold this piece of fabric evenly in half and sew the edges together. Slide the fabric tubing over the headband, and sew it shut on each end.

14. Sew each of the donkey ears on top of the headband, about 2 to 3 inches apart.

15. Put on the pants, the shirt and the white shoes or slippers, and the ears. Add makeup if desired by making a black nose, a large white circle over the chin, cheeks, and mouth, whiskers, and wear fake buck teeth.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish