How to Sew a Squirrel Tail

Look at pictures of squirrels when styling the fur of your tail.

From the days of Rocky the flying squirrel to Scrat the prehistoric rodent in the "Ice Age" movies, people have been drawn to squirrels' naturally fast-paced movements and cute appearance. They are ubiquitous characters in the public imagination, which makes a squirrel outfit a simple base for a number of specific costumes. Just accessorize and carry props that identify you as a particular character -- for example, for Rocky the squirrel, wear an aviator's hat and goggles and carry a stuffed Bullwinkle toy.

Things You'll Need

• Faux fur
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Hanger
• Razor
• Fake hair, stiff or starched
• Glue

Instructions

1. Cut a 1-inch wide strip of material equal to the height of the person wearing the costume.

2. Fold the material in half lengthwise, right-side in. Tuck fur into the fold so that it will be on the right side of the tube.

3. Sew a straight stitch along the raw edge of the material.

4. Stitch closed one end of the tube by curving the seam inward from the raw edge to the folded edge and forming a point that is approximately 20-degrees.

5. Straighten a hanger.

6. Glue one end of the wire to the point of the fabric. Knot a 4-inch ribbon to the other end so that there are two 2-inch lengths of ribbon attached to the end of the wire. Bend the wire to secure the ribbon if necessary.

7. Invert the fabric so that it rolls down over the wire like a stocking on a foot.

8. Position the 2-inch ribbons so that they extend past the end of the tube.

9. Hand sew the open end of the fabric closed so that the tube fully encases the wire and the ribbon still extends passed the end of the tube; a portion of the ribbon should be caught in the seam.

10. Use the razor and scissors to make the fur patchy and thin. Glue or sew additional faux fur or fake hair to the tail to thicken it and make it appear bushy.

11. Bend the wire so that it forms a backward "7."

12. Tie the tail to a belt or pant loop.

13. Comb styling gel or glue into your fur to make it stand on end and enhance the bushiness.

14. Use fabric glue if you plan to wash your tail.

References

• "Nifty, Thrifty, No-sew Costumes & Props"; Carol Ann Bloom; 1997
• "Creative Costumes & Halloween Décor: 50 Projects to Craft & Sew"; Creative Publishing International; 2008