Baby Dinosaur

20 min$3-8Easy

Fit: Built for ages 1 to 8. Start from clothes the wearer already owns in their size, and size every prop against them before attaching.

Green hoodie, felt spikes down the back, stuffed tail.

DIY this week: ~$3-8, 20 min

Cut a paper triangle template first and test the size on the hoodie.
Then cut 6 to 8 triangle spikes from the green craft felt with the scissors.
Tape the spikes in a row down the back of the green hoodie with the masking tape.
Stuff the old socks with the pillow stuffing and tape the open ends shut with the masking tape.
Pin the stuffed tail to the back waistband of the green hoodie.

Tip: cut two small white felt triangles and pin them to the hoodie cuffs as claws. Claws sell the dinosaur more than the spikes do.

You need

Green hoodie, 1 (buy: clothing store, or use your own)
2 sheets green craft felt, 9x12 inches each (buy: craft store, construction paper works too)
Pillow stuffing or 2 old socks (make: stuff from home)
Safety pins, 6 to 8 (buy: dollar store)
Masking tape, 1 roll
Scissors, 1 pair

Cut a paper triangle template first and test the size on the hoodie.
Then cut 6 to 8 triangle spikes from the green craft felt with the scissors, spikes cut too small look lost on the back, so go palm-size.
Tape the spikes in a row down the back of the green hoodie with the masking tape. Pin each spike from inside the hoodie with a safety pin.
Stuff the old socks with the pillow stuffing and tape the open ends shut with the masking tape.
Safety: pin everything from inside the green hoodie, so pin backs face the fabric and never the skin.
Pin the stuffed tail to the back waistband of the green hoodie.
Optional pro finish: cut two small white felt triangles and pin them to the hoodie cuffs as claws. Claws sell the dinosaur more than the spikes do.

How many spikes does a baby dinosaur need?

Six to eight palm-size triangles down the back reads as dinosaur instantly. Fewer looks sparse; more looks cluttered.

How do you make a dinosaur tail that stays up?

Stuff two old socks firmly with pillow stuffing, tape the open ends shut, and pin the tail to the back waistband, not higher, or it flops forward.

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