How to Make a Cat's Costume

Believe it or not, cats are not as excited about wearing a costume as you are about looking at them in one. However, cats wearing costumes is always pretty adorable. Making a costume for a cat is a lot like making a costume for a human. It is really important to take measurements directly from your cat so you can be sure the costume fits correctly and is comfortable. There are also many considerations to keep in mind when dressing your cat.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Measuring tape
• 1 yard of fabric
• Scissors
• Sewing machine

Making the Shirt

1. Brainstorm an idea for your cat's costume. Some popular ideas are flowers, angels, dinosaurs, football players, rabbits, pumpkins or policemen. You can even create a cat costume that is based on a pop culture icon such as Superman, Elvis Presley or a Power Ranger.

2. Measure your cat from the back of his neck to the top of his tail. Then measure around the widest part of its body. Add 3 inches to this measurement to assure that whatever costume you make fits loosely. Take a measurement around the top of your cat's legs. Finally, take the measurement around its neck, adding 2 inches for comfort.

3. Sketch out a pattern on a sheet of tracing paper to use as a guide to cut your fabric. This includes drawing out the shape of the shirt, according to the measurements you collected in step one. You will need a rectangular shape to create your cat's shirt: the length is your first measurement from neck to tail, the width is your measurement around the cat's body. Half your measurements when creating your pattern and position on the fold of your fabric to be sure when you cut your fabric each side of the shirt will be even.

4. Cut out your pattern pieces and pin together to be sure they will fit around your cat. Trace your pattern pieces onto your fabric, then cut. Once all of your pieces are cut, sew together along the edges. Remember to leave holes on either side large enough to comfortably slide your cat's front legs into. How large you make these holes will be dependent on the length around your cat's legs that you measured in step 1.

5. Customize as desired according to your cat's costume. You can choose to use fabric paint, fabric, sequins, rhinestones, beads, or any other material that will help you achieve the overall desired look for your cat's costume.

Making a Hat

6. Make a cone-shaped hat that is perfect for clown costumes, dunce caps, wizard hats, princess hats and more. To do this, simply cut a piece of material into a rectangle approximately 11 inches long by 8 inches wide. Curve your fabric and form into a cone shape. Then sew or pin along the edges to form your hat. Add any other decorations or shapes desired in accordance with your selected costume.

7. Make a pill-box hat good for bellhop costumes, the basis of fedoras and cowboy hats. To make this hat, cut a piece of fabric into a circle 5 inches around. Then cut another strip of fabric that is 5 inches long and 1 inch high. Bend your fabric strip into a circle and connect the ends with a sewing machine or pins. Lay your fabric circle on top and pin or sew in place.

8. Measure your cat from the crown of its head to the top of its neck. Attach a line of string cut to this length to the top of your cat's shirt. Connect the other end to the hat you have made for your cat. This will help you keep your cat's hat in place, without having to wrap ribbon or elastic around the neck, which can cause it discomfort.

Tips & Warnings

• Position your cat costume from the top of your cat's back to before the tail. Avoid any costume that must be pulled over the cat's head. If your costume is something that goes around your cat's leg, be sure it is lightweight and easily movable so your cat can still stretch and walk comfortably. Make your costume easy to remove by your cat. Do not make it feel trapped within its costume; give your cat the option to slip out of it as desired. Make sure the materials for your pet costume are animal-friendly. Do not include small pieces that your cat might remove and choke on.
• Avoid constricting your cat's movement as much as possible. You want to use a material that will not overly inhibit your cat's regular motions, which will cause it to become irritable and reclusive. Do not cover your cat's ears, mouth or tail. You do not want to inhibit your cat's ability to hear or breathe comfortably. If you choose to make your cat wear a hat, tie it loosely to the body of the costume, not around the neck or attached in any way to its fur.

References

• Pet Halloween Costume Ideas