Video:How to Make a Cat Costume From a Hoodie

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Transcript:How to Make a Cat Costume From a Hoodie

Dressing up as a cat is the “purrrrfect” costume for boys or girls this Halloween. Why buy one from an expensive costume store when you can make your own easy, low-cost cat costume? It also doesn’t require many materials, and you don’t need to possess exceptional seamstress, or seamster, skills.

To Make a Cat Costume, You'll Need:

• Cardboard for the ears
• Black felt
• Black marker
• Glue
• Plastic headband
• One long tube sock
• Craft paint
• A paintbrush
• Stuffing
• Safety pin
• Leggings or sweat pants
• A hoodie
• Black or white mittens or socks
• Eyeliner pencil

Most of these supplies you may already have on-hand. If not, you can find them at your local big box store like Wal-Mart, Target, or a craft store. You can also visit a local thrift shop or consignment store. Online bargains on hoodies can also be found on EBay or Craigslist. Hey, any excuse for shopping, right?

Cut Out the Cat Ears for the Costume

Once you’ve gathered all your materials, it’s time to get started. First, cut out two ear shapes from the cardboard and cut similar shapes from the black felt. Glue the felt on both sides of the cardboard ears. Of course, you can also just color them with black marker, but the felt provides just the right fuzzy effect. Now, glue the ears to the black, plastic headband.While this cat costume is based on creating a black cat, you can, of course, change it up by doing a white cat with white ears and white headband as well as body, or grey, or you can mix up the colors for a tabby effect. Let your child in on the fun by picking the colors.

Attach the Costume Cat Tail to Leggings or Sweat Pants

Now, it’s tail time. Stuff the tube sock with craft or pillow stuffing. Either use a long black sock or use craft paint to transform a white sock. Remember, if you are going for a different color palette, you can stick to a white tail or go grey – maybe even add some stripes. Attach the tail to a pair of leggings in black or other color by using a safety pin. If your son isn’t feeling up to rocking a pair of tights as part of the cat costume, then you can substitute those for a pair of black sweats with elastic at the bottom.

Once you have the pieces put together, it’s time to get your little kitty in “fur form.” Dress them in the hoodie and zip it up. Pull the hood up and place the ears on headband on top. Slip them into the leggings (or sweat pants) with the tail, and cover their hands with mittens or socks that can make some great paws. You can even use white ones, which makes for a cute black cat with white paws. Don’t forget to use the eyeliner pencil to draw some whiskers and add a black nose. And, that’s how you make a cool kitty costume that your kids will think is the cat’s meow.

I'm Jonathon Stewart, with About.com.