How to Make Monkey Costumes

Children's Halloween costumes bought at the store can often be overpriced for something likely to be worn only once. Making your own costumes is not only affordable but often simple, as well. With a moderate amount of sewing skill you can make a monkey costume for a child or an adult.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Brown hooded sweatshirt (without zipper)
• Matching brown sweatpants
• Two 8 1/2 by 11-inch pieces of tan felt
• 1/2 yard of brown fleece
• Two pipe cleaners
• Sewing machine
• Needle
• Brown thread
• Straight pins
• Fabric glue
• Scissors

1. Cut out four half circles of brown fleece, approximately 3 1/2 inches across and 4 inches tall for the ears. Pin the fleece together in pairs, right sides together, and sew around the edges. Turn inside out and these are the ears.

2. Insert pipe cleaner inside each of the ears to fit along the outer edge. Sew around pipe cleaner to hold it in place. Repeat with other ear.

3. Cut out two half circles of felt, same as the fleece, only make these 3 inches across by 3 inches tall. Use fabric glue to attach these to the middle of the fleece ears.

4. Cut out a 23 inch by 3 inch strip of fleece. Fold in half and sew up the long side. Turn inside out and sew one end shut and the other end to the bottom back hem of the sweatshirt to make the tail.

5. Hand sew the ears in place on both sides of the hood using your needle and thread.

6. Cut out an oval large enough to fit on the front of the sweatshirt. Either glue or sew the oval onto the front of the sweatshirt for the tummy panel. Pair the sweatshirt with matching sweatpants for an easy-to-make costume.

Tips & Warnings

• If your sweatshirt has a zipper, attach the tummy panel with fusible Velcro and stick on sweatshirt after it has been zipped. Try making fun accessories to go with the costume, like a banana-shaped candy bag. Add a bow to the hood for a girl monkey.

References

• Craftzine

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish