Clown Dog Costume

Step 1:

Dyeing Fabric

1) Launder fabric, rinse thoroughly and dry.

2) Prepare dye solution following manufacturer’s directions. Use 1 package of powdered dye or half bottle of liquid dye in 3 gallons of hot tap water. Add salt and detergent as directed. Stir thoroughly.

3) Wet fabric in hot tap water before immersing in dye bath. Allow fabric to remain in dye bath for 20 to 30 minutes. Rinse following manufacturer’s directions.



Cutting Fabric

Using the fabric marking pen and a yardstick, draw one collar and four cuffs directly onto fabric following these dimensions. Cut out pieces using pinking or scalloping shears.

Collar -- 10” x 44” rectangle

4 Cuffs -- 3 ½ “ x 15” rectangle



Making the Collar

1) Fold 10”x 44” collar fabric piece in half lengthwise so that the top half ends about 1” above the bottom edge.

2) Mark a line 2” from the foldline. Stitch along the marked line to form a casing; backstitch both ends to secure. Note: This casing needs to be wide enough for the dog’s collar and buckle to slip through. Measure your dog’s collar before stitching.

3) Glue pompoms along the shorter edge of the collar at 4” intervals. Slip the collar into to casing.



Making the Cuffs:

Sew 4 cuffs.

1) Fold 3 ½” x 15” cuff fabric piece in half lengthwise. Mark a line 3/8” from the foldline. Stitch along the marked line to form a casing; backstitch at both ends to secure.

2) Cut a 5” length of elastic and slip it into the casing using a safety pin or bodkin. Overlap and stitch ends of elastic together.



Making the Clown Hat:

You can buy a small party hat at your local party store or you can make your own.

1) Cut a 7” x 14” piece of poster board. Cut a piece of tangerine fabric to the same size. Glue the fabric to the poster board with glue stick or rubber cement. Mark the center of one long edge. Using the tape measure as a compass, measure 7” from the center mark at several locations and cut a half circle pattern



2) Measure 13” from one corner along the curved edge and mark. Draw a straight line from the 13” mark to the center mark on the opposite side of the fabric-covered poster board. Cut the half circle into a large pie shaped wedge.



3) Roll fabric-covered poster board into a cone-shaped hat. Overlap edges 1”. Glue edges together. Glue 1” pompom to point of hat, and glue rickrack around the base of the hat.



4) Punch holes on each side of hat. Cut a 10” piece of elastic. Insert elastic into holes and knot.