I bought red and green fabric like 4 years ago from Joanns (RIP), and severely overestimated how much I needed. So every year I find something silly to make with it and this year it’s pet costumes. Joey is Mrs. Claus and Chance is an elf, because let’s face it, neither one of them can take the responsibility of Santa Claus. They are both good sports and will definitely have goodies in their stockings on the 25th.
Supplies:
- festive fabric scraps
- faux white fur
- needle, thread, scissors, pins
- measuring tape, protractor
For the cat cape, I measured around my cat’s neck, loosely. Add four or five inches for the length you’ll need including the ties. You want plenty of room to tie it securely! For the length of the cape, I measured from his neck down to where I wanted the cape to hang, just below his elbow. My measurement was around 11 inches. Fold your fabric in half. Measure and mark out the length with a pin. For the neck hole, halve your initial neck measurement. Using a measuring tape, place the tape at a right angle on the fold, and move down the fold until the tape equals your neck measurement. This will let you know where you need to start your cut. Cut out the neck hole. I used a protractor as a guide to make it a half circle cut. For the bottom, I also cut it slightly curved. The nice thing is any ugly cut on the bottom will get covered by fur. Cut out 4 strips approximately 1 inch in width by 5 inches. Fold and sew to cover up any raw edges.
Glue or sew the faux fur to the bottom. I also hemmed the bottom first, but no one will see it, probably. Hem the sides of the cape. For the neck, attach the ties about an inch deep into the cape, and fold over top raw edge to secure them and hem the neckline. Sew straight across. I also added ties about halfway down to tie under his front legs, it keeps the cape from becoming an apron.
For the elf necklace, measure around your dog’s neck, loosely. My measurement was a little more than 20 inches. To determine the length and number of triangles you’ll need, find a number divisible by your measurement. For example, I used 4. 4 times 5 equals 20, so I’ll make 4 triangles that are 5 inches wide. The idea is to have your triangles spaced out equally along the strip. For the strip, cut out a 3 inch wide strip of fabric in the length you need. Cut out 2 strips 1 inch by 6 inches for the ties. Fold to hide the raw edges, and pin the triangles inside the strip along the bottom. Make sure you are catching those corners as you sew along the bottom! Attach the ties on either side of the strip, sewing up the raw edges on the sides to secure them.
And voila! You’re pets will hate you.
The Dupery 