Made from felt and a simple beige dress, this easy DIY hot dog costume creates a bun-like look with a plush “sausage” decorated with ketchup and mustard accents. It’s playful, quick to assemble, and perfect for Halloween, themed parties, or summer events where hot dogs are on the menu.
Supplies Needed
The foundation for this costume is an easy-to-find beige dress or tunic. Choose a style that fits comfortably and reaches the length you want for the bun effect. Common options include tunic, bodycon, t-shirt, midi, or maxi dresses.
- Beige dress (tunic, bodycon, t-shirt dress, midi, or maxi)
- Brown, red, and yellow felt — about 1/4 yard of each
- Temporary hem tape or needle and thread for attaching the felt
- Hot glue
- Scissors
Step-by-Step Tutorial
1. Cut the bun piece: From the brown felt, cut a rectangle roughly 7–10 inches wide and the same length as your dress (from neckline to hem). Round the top and bottom edges into gentle curves so it reads like a bun.
2. Create condiment stripes: Cut wavy strips about 1 inch wide from both the red and yellow felt to represent ketchup and mustard.
3. Assemble the sausage details: Use hot glue to attach the yellow strip to the center of the brown bun piece. Add the red strip alongside the yellow, overlapping slightly so the lines look natural.
4. Attach the bun to the dress: Apply temporary hem tape around the edge of the brown felt piece, peel off the backing, then press the bun onto the center front of the dress, smoothing firmly so it adheres evenly. If you prefer a more permanent hold, sew the top and bottom edges with needle and thread for extra security.
Where to Wear a Hot Dog Costume
This playful costume is versatile and works for many occasions beyond Halloween. Wear it to summer barbecues, 4th of July parties, themed events, or even a hot dog eating contest. It’s lightweight, easy to move in, and guaranteed to get laughs.
- Halloween parties
- Summer BBQs
- 4th of July celebrations
- Food-themed events and contests
Costumes to Go With a Hot Dog Costume
Group up for extra fun: coordinate with friends or family to create a full food-themed crew. Pair the hot dog with ketchup and mustard outfits or other fast-food staples for a cohesive, adorable group look.
- Ketchup and mustard costumes
- Burger costume
- Fries costume
Photos by Jeff Mindell
Easy DIY Hot Dog Costume
Materials
- 1 beige dress
- 1/4 yard brown felt
- 1/4 yard yellow felt
- 1/4 yard red felt
- temporary hem tape or a needle and thread
- hot glue
- scissors
Instructions
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Cut a rectangle from brown felt about 7–10 inches wide and the length of your dress (neckline to hem). Round the top and bottom edges into curves to resemble a bun.
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Cut wavy one-inch strips from the red and yellow felt for ketchup and mustard.
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Glue the yellow strip to the center of the brown piece, then glue the red strip next to it, overlapping slightly.
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Apply hem tape around the bun’s edges, remove the backing, and press the bun onto the dress. Smooth firmly to secure.
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For extra hold, tack the top and bottom of the bun to the dress with a few stitches.