DIY Balloon Animal Costume Ideas for Parties and Cosplay

DIY Balloon Animal Costume

Total Time: 1-2 Hours

Supplies

– Approx. 3 yards of spandex fabric (adjust quantity for the size you need).
– Stuffing and/or batting (batting is handy because it can be rolled to form clean sections; polyester stuffing also works).
– Fabric scissors.
– Hot glue gun.
– Needle and thread.
– Red twine (or any strong twine for tying sections).
– Elastic.
– Velcro.

Directions

1. Cut two 18″ strips the full length of your fabric (three yards gave plenty for my size).
2. Fold each strip in half lengthwise with right sides together. Sew or hot-glue the long edge to form two tubes, then turn them right-side out so the seam is inside. Set one tube aside.
3. Tie one end of the first tube with twine to close it, then begin stuffing. You’re going to create the balloon-dog shape by stuffing and twisting sections just like you would with an actual balloon—two tubes make the process easier to manage.

4. Start with the “nose”: make this the smallest stuffed section. If using batting, cut a length, roll it, and insert it into the tube; if using loose stuffing, add enough until you reach your desired size. Tie off the end of this section with twine.
5. Next create two equal sections for the ears. It’s easiest to stuff both ear sections before twisting. After stuffing, twist between the ears, fold the ears together so they sit parallel, and secure the twist around the nose area with twine.
6. Stuff a short “neck” section and tie it off with twine.
7. Create two equal stuffed sections for the front legs. Twist between the leg sections, fold them parallel, wrap the excess fabric around the base of the neck, and knot. Tie with twine and trim any excess fabric. This forms the front portion of the balloon dog.
8. The stuffed front will be floppy at first. Secure the shape by tacking sections together with small hand stitches (or hot glue if you prefer). Stitch each ear to the nose, the nose to the neck, and the legs to the neck in a few spots so the sections remain stable while worn.
9. Cut a piece of elastic to fit around your waist with about six inches of overlap. Attach about six inches of Velcro to each end on opposite sides so the elastic fastens by overlapping. Sew (recommended) or glue the center of the elastic to the middle of the back of the neck section to anchor the front piece.
10. Cut a second piece of elastic that reaches from your chest, over the back of your neck, and back to your chest. Secure each end of this strap to the back of the ears (about 3–4 inches of glue or stitching) so the front piece sits comfortably on your shoulders.
11. Try on the front piece and add additional stitches where needed to make sure all sections stay put when you move.

Now make the back half of the dog:

12. Tie off one end of the second fabric tube with twine.
13. Stuff a small tail section. Batting works well here because it can be rolled and easily inserted; tie off the end after stuffing.
14. Create two equal back-leg sections. Stuff them, twist between the sections, fold them parallel, and wrap the excess fabric around the base of the tail. Knot and tie with twine, trimming excess fabric.
15. Take the small closed end you made before the tail and push it inside the tail section so the seam hides inside the tail rather than sticking out.
16. Hand-stitch sections together as needed to strengthen the piece, just like you did for the front.
17. Attach a waist elastic to the back piece the same way as the front: cut to fit with about six inches of overlap for Velcro, add Velcro to the ends, and sew or glue the elastic to the center of the back tail section.
18. Make the small tail tip by cutting a rectangle of fabric (about 10″ x 6″, adjust as needed), folding it right sides together lengthwise, and sewing or gluing the long sides and one short side. Turn it right-side out.
19. Stuff the tail tip and close the remaining opening with glue or stitches.
20. Glue or sew the finished tail tip into the open end of the tail section to complete the back piece.

With both pieces finished, fasten the front and back with the waist elastics and adjust the neck strap so the front sits comfortably. Make any final stitches to ensure the costume holds its shape while you wear it.