How to Make a Gorilla Costume

Lay out the sewing pattern for pants in one size higher than for the person who intends to wear the gorilla costume. Pin the wrong side of the black fur fabric to the pattern and cut it out carefully. Follow the instructions on the pattern to sew the pair of black fur pants for the gorilla costume. Use a length of elastic for the waistband of the costume's pants.

Fold the black fur fabric in half lengthwise and lay it out on the floor. Instruct the costume wearer to lay down on it with his or her arms outstretched slightly. Cut around their body, leaving a large margin of fabric on all sides. This is needed for sewing the gorilla costume, and to make the costume big and bulky instead of skin-tight. Make sure the costume top reaches down the the wearer's hips. Alternatively, you could use a simple long-sleeve T-shirt or sweatshirt sewing pattern and follow the directions.

Cut a large piece from the dark gray, smooth fabric piece. This should be rounded on the bottom and square at the top. It will be the gorilla costume's chest and stomach area. Use the black permanent marker to create the look of strong pectoral muscles, abdominal muscles, and even a belly button on the gorilla costume front.

Sew the gorilla costume belly and chest fabric piece on to the front of the black fur cut-out for the costume top. Use your fingers to brush the long fur nap of the costume fabric so it covers the edges of the belly fabric slightly. You can use hairspray or a small amount of spray fabric stiffener to make it stay there more easily if you desire.

Use your sewing machine to sew the gorilla costume shirt section closed at the sides. Most fake fur fabrics do not require hemming, so leave the edges raw and allow the black fur to hang over the edge of the fabric. This looks good if you use black gloves for gorilla hands.

Wear the homemade gorilla costume with black gloves and black shoes or boots. Cut a scrap of black fur fabric to cover the top of each shoe if desired. Wear a shirt and light-weight pants under the gorilla costume. A storebought gorilla mask completes the look.