How to Make an Animal Ears Headband

Show off your youthful side with animal costume accessories.

You can make an animal ears headband for a Halloween costume or pretend play from a plastic headband and a little bit of faux fur. These headbands are easy to make and can provide a child with hours of fun pretending to be his favorite farm, forest or jungle animal. You can add a little pizzazz to the headband by gluing on some imitation gemstones to the tips of the ears or sprinkling a little bit of glitter over the entire costume accessory.

Things You'll Need

• Soft tape measure
• Faux fur (or other thick fabric)
• Plastic headband
• Scissors
• Sewing needle
• Thread

Instructions

1. Measure the length of the headband and add 1 inch. Measure the width of the headband, add 1 inch and multiply this number by two. Cut a rectangle of fake fur according to these measurements. You can also use fleece, felt or velvet fabric if you prefer.

2. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise with the good side facing inward. Sew the long edges together with a straight stitch and then sew one short end together.

3. Turn the headband tube right side out and insert the headband into the tube. Fold the edges of the open fabric ends inward and pin close. Sew the edge with a straight stitch.

4. Draw a triangle on the back of the fake fur. Make the triangle about 2 inches high by about 2 inches wide. Cut out the triangle. Use the triangle as a template to make three more fake fur triangles.

5. Place two of the triangles together with the fur side facing inward. Sew around two sides of the triangles to join the fabrics and then turn the ear right side out. Repeat with the remaining two triangles.

6. Measure 1 1/2 inches to the right of the top center of the headband and make a tiny mark. Measure 1 1/2 inches to the left of the top center of the headband and make another mark.

7. Pin the ears to the headband at the marks. Sew the ears to the headband by inserting stitches through the fabric of the headband and into the bottom fur of the triangle ears.

Tips & Warnings

• For floppy ears, cut long elongated shapes from the faux fur instead. Sew them together in the same way as the triangles. Sew one short end from each ear to the headband in the same spots.

• To add stiffness to large ears, insert a piece of thin floral or jewelry wire into each ear before sewing it closed.

References

• "Snazaroo Zoo: Great Faces and Easy Costumes to Bring Out the Animal in You"; Janis Bullis; 1997