Easy DIY Dog Costumes You Can Make at Home

Ever scrolled Pinterest for hours trying to find an outfit that your pup will actually wear?

You’re not alone.

So many dog parents feel the crunch of Halloween parties or neighborhood costume contests… and end up grabbing some ill‑fitting, overpriced thing that scares their dog more than the mail carrier does. 😊

Let’s fix that.

Below you find creative, budget‑friendly DIY dog costumes ideas tested by real dog parents and crafters plus my own mishaps with Monty the Westie.

These projects work for all dog breeds and sizes, whether you’re adopting a puppy or spoiling an old soul.

You’ll find the supplies easily at US stores and many adapt to your dog’s favorite gear (like a comfy harness).

1. Sheet‑Over Ghost

Quick glance: 5‑minute fix, no‑sew

Inspired by: our own quick ghost sheet tutorial
What you need: Lightweight white sheet, fabric marker, scissors, optional glow‑in‑the‑dark paint, soft rope or ribbon.

Steps:

1. Measure the sheet against your pup’s back; cut to size.
2. Drape the sheet over your dog and mark where the eyes and snout line up.
3. Remove the sheet; cut holes slightly larger than your marks.
4. Optionally add glow‑paint trim or a plush pumpkin accessory.
5. Slip the sheet back on and tie a soft ribbon around the neck (not too tight!).

Safety: Keep holes generous around eyes and nose. Use breathable fabric and limit wear to short photo shoots. Avoid candles; glow paint is safer.

2. No‑Sew Pirate Pup

Quick glance: 10‑minute fix, no‑sew

Inspired by: Aimee of IrresistiblePets.net
What you need: Striped scarf (stretchy works best), skull‑and‑crossbones bandanna, rubber band or small elastic.

Steps:

1. Cut the scarf to fit your dogs torso and snip leg holes.
2. Slip the scarf on, tying any extra fabric under the belly with a rubber band.
3. Fold the bandanna diagonally and tie it loosely around your pup’s neck.
4. (Optional) Glue a felt eye‑patch to the bandanna or tie on a miniature plastic sword (for photos only).

Safety: Check that fabric doesn’t hang low or cause tripping. Opt for stretchy cotton over synthetic.

3. Pumpkin Bandana & Mask

Quick glance: 20‑minute DIY, no‑sew

Inspired by: Shell & Katy at PrettyFluffy.com
What you need: Printable pumpkin templates, orange felt, black felt, iron‑on transfer paper, hemming tape, ribbon.

Steps:

1. Print the mask and bandana template and transfer the face onto orange felt.
2. Cut out triangles/eyes/mouth and iron them onto the bandana.
3. Use hemming tape along the edges of the bandana instead of sewing.
4. Cut out the mask template, glue on the face pieces, and attach ribbon ties.

Safety: Slide bandana over a collar so nothing tightens around the throat. Keep masks off while walking.

4. Harry Pawter Costume

Quick glance: 30‑minute craft, glue gun only

Inspired by: sarahndipity on Instructables.com
What you need: Red felt, gold felt, black felt, ribbon, glue gun, scissors.

Steps:

1. Cut a long red scarf and glue gold stripes on the ends.
2. Make glasses by cutting stiff black felt into circles; connect with a strip across the nose and attach to a ribbon collar.
3. Cut a lightning‑bolt from black felt and glue it to your pup’s fur (use a temporary fur‑safe adhesive).
4. Drape the scarf around your dog’s neck like a Gryffindor.

Safety: Keep the glasses lightweight and remove before playtime. Avoid adhesives near eyes.

5. Skeleton Onesie

Quick glance: 1–2 hours, beginner sewing

Inspired by: The Pointy Snoot’s DIY skeleton costume
What you need: Black fleece onesie or dog pajamas, white felt, fabric glue, scissors, needle and thread (optional).

Steps:

1. Print or sketch simple bone shapes and cut them from white felt.
2. Arrange bones on the onesie; glue or sew in place.
3. Baste the legs and chest for a snug fit before sewing permanently.
4. Add an optional leash hole by cutting and hemming a small buttonhole on the back.

Safety: Choose felt over stretchy fleece for better stiffness. Watch for chewing of glued pieces.

6. Spider Harness Costume

Quick glance: 1‑hour craft, hot‑glue heavy

Inspired by: Nicole Wills at Tikkido.com
What you need: Fake fur fabric, black felt, giant pipe‑cleaner wire, dog harness, glue gun.

Steps:

1. Cut an oval of black felt for the underside and a larger oval of fake fur for the abdomen.
2. Cut four lengths of giant pipe cleaner; bend them into eight legs.
3. Glue the legs to the felt; cover with a felt strip for security.
4. Wrap the fur oval around the felt base, stuff lightly, and glue closed.
5. Attach the spider body to your dog’s harness with velcro or straps.

Safety: Cut fur outside to avoid a mess. Add a strap under the belly if the costume shifts.

7. Dobby House‑Elf Tunic

Quick glance: 20‑minute pillowcase hack

Inspired by: The Chirping Moms
What you need: Old pillowcase, scissors, fabric marker, felt, glue, pilot’s cap or stretchy beanie.

Steps:

1. Fold the pillowcase in half and cut a semi‑circle for your dog’s head and smaller circles for the forelegs.
2. Tie fabric strips at the shoulders for a rustic look and trim the length so your dog doesn’t trip.
3. Cut two felt ears, glue them to a pilot’s cap, and secure under your pup’s chin.
4. (Optional) Add a small drawstring to the neck opening for extra adjustability.

Safety: Use a lightweight pillowcase so it doesn’t overheat. Never tighten ties.

8. Dragon Suit with Wings

Quick glance: 2–3 hours, intermediate sewing

Inspired by: Matsutake on Instructables
What you need: Green felt, fleece, polyfill, velcro, sewing machine, scissors.

Steps:

1. Cut pattern pieces for body and tail; sew tendril spikes into the seam and stuff the tail.
2. Add straps and a hood, sewing velcro closures for adjustment.
3. Sew two wing pieces together, stuff lightly, and attach to the body.
4. Cut and glue felt eyes; slip the costume on your dragon dog.

Safety: Use soft fleece and watch for overheating. Keep wings smaller for small dogs.

9. Lion’s Mane

Quick glance: 45‑minute sew‑or‑glue

Inspired by: ty emerson on Instructables
What you need: Light lycra or jersey fabric, faux fur, fleece, velcro, sewing kit.

Steps:

1. Measure your dog’s head and neck; cut a lycra strip to wrap around both and secure with velcro.
2. Cut faux‑fur strips; pleat and drape them onto the base to form a mane.
3. Cut and sew fleece ears onto the mane.
4. Put the mane on your pup and fluff up the fur.

Safety: Faux fur can itch; line the base with cotton if your dog has sensitive skin. Limit wear in hot climates.

10. Dinosaur Spikes

Quick glance: 30‑min no‑sew OR 1‑hr sewing

Inspired by: Martha Stewart Living & Life at Cloverhill
What you need: Child’s T‑shirt (or dog sweater), wool felt, scissors, glue or sewing machine.

Steps:

1. For the no‑sew version, trace a spiky spine template onto felt, cut slits along the shirt’s back and insert the felt strip so spikes stand up.
2. For a sewn version, cut triangular felt spikes; stiffen them with card stock and sew them along the hood and back of a sweater.
3. Adjust the shirt length and sleeve size for your dog.

Safety: Don’t use heavy fabrics that sag; keep spikes soft so your dog can lie down comfortably.

11. Shark Fin Costume

Quick glance: 30‑minute craft

Inspired by: Tally Cox on Instructables & Harvoola
What you need: Grey felt, cardboard, glue gun, dog harness or onesie, optional wire.

Steps:

1. Draw and cut out a fin shape from cardboard and two pieces of felt.
2. Glue the felt around the cardboard, leaving flaps to wrap around the harness strap; add wire if the fin needs support.
3. For a sewn version, stitch two felt pieces together, leave a small opening, turn inside out, stuff with foam, and hand‑sew onto a onesie.
4. Attach the fin to your dog’s harness or onesie and adjust fit.

Safety: Trim the fin height for small dogs; check that it doesn’t topple the harness.

12. Beanie‑Baby Tag

Quick glance: 10‑minute felt cut‑out

Inspired by: Paws With a Cause and Frilly Draws at pawswithacause.org
What you need: Red felt or cardstock, white felt, glue, ribbon or rubber band.
Steps:

1. Print or freehand a heart shape; cut it from red felt.
2. Cut the “TY” letters from white felt and glue onto the heart.
3. Glue or sew a ribbon loop on top so you can slip it over your dog’s collar; for a card‑stock version, paint a yellow border and attach a rubber band.
4. Let your pup show off as a life‑size Beanie Baby!

Safety: Keep the tag out of chewing range. Use felt instead of paper if your dog drools a lot.

13. Moo‑Cow Tee

Quick glance: 20‑minute iron‑on project

Inspired by: Kristin on A Dog Walks Into A Bar & Instructables’ Chick Fil A costume
What you need: White dog shirt, tan and brown felt, iron‑on adhesive, scissors.
Steps:

1. Apply iron‑on adhesive to the felt; cut irregular spots like a cow’s hide.
2. Iron the spots onto the front and back of the shirt until secure.
3. Optionally craft an udder and tail from pink fabric and attach them with an elastic band.
4. Add a “Eat Mor Chikin” sign if you’re feeling Chick‑fil‑A‑ish.

Safety: Make sure the shirt fits snugly but not tight. Remove small pieces if your dog starts chewing.

14. Out‑of‑This‑World Alien

Quick glance: 15‑minute headband + tee

Inspired by: Hello Ruby Doodle
What you need: Lime‑green dog tee, styrofoam balls, lime spray paint, white felt, glue, springy headband.
Steps:

1. Spray paint two styrofoam balls lime green; let dry.
2. Glue small white felt circles as pupils.
3. Attach the balls to springs on a headband; hot glue may work best.
4. Dress your dog in the green tee and fit the headband snugly.

Safety: Ensure the headband isn’t heavy; add a ribbon tie to secure it. Limit wear to short sessions.

15. Bat‑Wings Harness

Quick glance: 25‑minute felt‑and‑pipe‑cleaner

Inspired by: AKC Pet Insurance Blog & Martha Stewart
What you need: Black felt, pipe cleaners, glue, bat‑wing template, harness.
Steps:

1. Print a bat‑wing template; trace onto two layers of black felt.
2. Glue pipe cleaners along the edges for rigidity.
3. Glue the second layer over top; cut a slit where the harness ring will pop through.
4. For a sewn version, cut three layers of felt, sew together and attach via a felt strap around your dog’s chest

Safety: Let your dog acclimate slowly; remove if they seem distressed. Never leave your pup unattended in costum.

16. Bumblebee Sweater

Quick glance: 2‑hour sewing project

Inspired by: Fabricana Blog
What you need: Yellow and black fleece, sewing machine, thread, velcro, broadcloth (wings), fusible interfacing.
Steps:

1. Cut yellow and black fleece strips and sew them together into a tube for the body.
2. Hem armholes and collar; add a band with a buttonhole for a harness loop.
3. Create wings by interfacing blue broadcloth, sewing two pieces together, turning and top‑stitching; attach velcro to the wings and the sweater so you can remove them.
4. Pop the sweater on your pup and attach the wings.

Safety: Fleece keeps dogs warm; use a lighter fabric for summer. Velcro lets you remove wings if they annoy your dog.

Common Mistakes to Dodge

• Heavy or rigid materials: They can restrict movement and cause overheating.
• Small detachable pieces: Buttons and beads are choking hazards.
• PVC or stiff wire: In some DIY dragon wings, these materials are too heavy for small dogs.
• Forcing anxious pups: If your dog shows signs of stress, skip the costume; their comfort trumps cute photos.

Mini‑FAQ’s About Easy DIY Dog Costumes

Share the Fun!

I hope this roundup sparks your imagination and saves you from endless Pinterest scrolling.

If you try any of these DIY dog costumes, share on Instagram or save to Pinterest!

For more ideas — including how to make Monty’s ghostly glow costume — check out my other dog costume posts and explore resources on caring for your dog.

Happy crafting!

About The Author

Andrea

Andrea — BSc (Hons) Environmental Studies grad and trainee in Dog Behavior & Canine Nutrition — turns nerdy research into bite-size, tail-wagging tips. Expect quick fixes, Westie-tested hacks, and just enough humor to keep the zoomies going. 🐾

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