"Try not. Do or do not. There is no try," Yoda. That's right! Don't just try this green-eared kids costume. Do it! The Jedi Master commands it. See just how easy it is to turn your little one into the most philosophical, green-eariest, 900-year-old, syntax-challenged screen-star of all time.
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Not for nothing, but kids sound like Yoda without even trying -- all the insight at a fraction of the age. A perfect imitation, even before the ears. So let's get to it!
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Things You'll Need
1/2 yard light green fleece
Hooded sweatshirt (to make a pattern)
Scissors
Sewing machine or needle and thread
2 feet armature wire
Wire cutters
Snap or velcro
1/4 inch foam padding
Needle and thread
Fiberfill
1/2 yard cotton muslin fabric
Pins
Tight fitting shirt
1/4 yard brown cotton gauze
3-foot long stick
Step 1: Make a Yoda Hood
Fold a couple feet of the light green fleece in half, opening down, fold on top. Line selvage edge up with the opening of the the hood. Using a hooded sweatshirt as a pattern, cut a hood out of fleece, leaving one inch around the back, front and bottom.
Step 2: Sew the Hood Together
Sew the back of the hood together from the top fold down to the bottom opening.
Step 3: Cut the Ears
From the green fleece, cut four pointed ovals that measure 9 inches in length and are 4 inches wide at the widest point across ears.
Step 4: Sew the Ears Together
Sew two sides of the ears leaving a 1/4-inch seam allowance and leaving the bottom opening open. Turn right-side out.
Step 5: Add Wire to the Ears
Bend each wire in half, then insert it into the ear from the bottom opening. Spread it out so it spans the edges of the ears. This makes the ears positionable.
Step 6: Sew Ears to Hood
Sew one ear to each side of the hood pleating the sides into a middle line, as shown in the photo.
Step 7: Add a Fastener
Add a snap (or velcro) to the bottom opening of the hood under the chin.
Step 8: Cut a Foam Pad
Cut a 5-inch wide by 6-inch long tapered rectangle out of foam and a slightly larger one out of fleece to add to the top middle of the hood. This will become a forehead piece for the costume.
Step 9: Sew on the Furrowed Brow
Hand sew the forehead pad on using the thread tension to create the deep creases.
Step 10: Add Hair
Add just a touch of fiber pillow filling around each ear.
Step 11: Yoda's Robe
Measure your child's shoulder width and length from neck to shoes. Take a 12-inch wide and 48-inch long piece of muslin fabric and fold it in half length-wise. (These measurements are for a size 3 costume -- adjust the width and length to fit the size of the child the costume is being made for.) Cut straight down the middle and cut 3-inch slits on the fold line on either side of the middle as shown in the photo.
Step 12: Create Sleeves
Measure the top of the shoulder to mid-hand and cut two wide bell-shaped sleeves.
Step 13: Attach Sleeves
Sew the top 8 inches of each bell to the top of each side the folded fabric centering it on the fold.
Step 14: Pin the Openings
Pin the side and sleeve openings together. Sew this leaving a 1/2" seam allowance.
Step 15: Trim Sleeves and Hem
Trim sleeves to even out the seam, and trim the bottom hem as well. Fold back 1/4 inch and stitch a line to hem.
Step 16: Create Yoda Shirt
Measure your child from neckline to shoes and cut a piece of fabric that is a couple inches longer and wider than that measurement. Fold the fabric into the collar of a T-shirt. Using a whip stitch, sew the fabric to the inside of the collar. Add a couple points on the sides of the T-shirt attaching the fabric to spread it out so it doesn't fold on itself and the T-shirt doesn't show.
Step 17: Create Staff
Wrap a stick with a length of the brown gauze so that no wood is showing. This will create a wooden-looking cane without being dangerous for little ones.
