How to Make a Squirrel Tail Costume

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Things You'll Need

  • Velour sweat suit

  • Faux fur fabric

  • Scissors

  • Packing peanuts

  • Needle

  • Thread

Image Credit: Creatas/Creatas/Getty Images

A squirrel costume for a school activity or Halloween fun is a straightforward project. Most of the costume consists of a velour sweat suit in either brown or gray, depending on what color squirrel you want to portray. The tricky part is the tail. You may be asking yourself how to create a credible, furry tail that swings as you move. Make a trip to the craft store for some faux fur fabric. Add some packing peanuts and a little bit of sewing know how and you can make an ingenious squirrel tail.

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Step 1

Fold the faux fur in half with the right sides, or furry sides, together.

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Step 2

Imagine how wide you want your tail to be and start cutting at that width. For instance if you want a tail that is approximately five inches wide, start cutting five inches away from the fold.

Step 3

Consider how long you want the tail to be. Cut a straight line to approximate the length you desire. For example, if you want a tail that is 12 inches long, cut a 12-inch line. As you reach the top, arch your cut to form a curve. Squirrel tails are rounded at the end. You will only be cutting one side. The fold in the fabric creates your second side. After cutting, you have two identical rectangles with rounded or arched tops, attached to one another by a fabric fold.

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Step 4

Sew along the open side of your two rectangles to finish connecting them together. Leave the flat bottom edge open. This will allow you to stuff your tail. After sewing, you have one piece, connected on one side by the fabric fold and sewn together on the other. It will look roughly like a sock, open at the bottom end.

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Step 5

Turn your tail inside out; the right sides or furry sides should now be on the outside.

Step 6

Stuff the tail with packing peanuts then sew the open end shut. Sew the tail to the backside of the sweatshirt.

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Step 7

Tack an area about two inches from the top of the tail to the middle of the sweatshirt. Use just a couple of stitches. The goal is to make the tail stand up but allow it to swing.

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