Do it yourself tiger costume ideas 2024

Materials and Preparation

• Orange fabric (fleece, felt, or cotton)
• Black fabric or felt
• White fabric or felt
• Elastic
• Scissors
• Fabric glue or sewing machine and thread
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Headband
• Cardboard or craft foam
• Orange face paint or makeup
• Black eyeliner or face paint
• Paintbrush
• Orange hoodie and pants (optional for a quick base)

• Safety pins
• Velcro strips
• Fabric tape

• Orange duct tape
• Black duct tape
• White duct tape

The Classic Fabric Tiger Costume

1. Cut black fabric into various stripe shapes.
2. Arrange the stripes on the orange base, ensuring a natural-looking pattern.
3. Secure the stripes using fabric glue for a no-sew method, or sew them on for a more durable finish.

1. Cut a long, tapered triangle from orange fabric.
2. Fold it in half lengthwise and sew or glue the edges, leaving the wide end open.
3. Turn it inside out and stuff with polyester fiberfill or cotton batting.
4. Attach black fabric stripes as you did for the body.
5. Secure the tail to the back of the costume using safety pins or by sewing it on.

1. Cut four triangle shapes from orange fabric and two smaller triangles from pink or white fabric for the inner ears.
2. Sew or glue two orange triangles together, leaving the bottom open.
3. Insert the pink/white triangle into the open end and secure.
4. Attach the ears to a headband using hot glue or by sewing them on.

1. Cut oval shapes from orange fabric for the paw pads.
2. Glue or sew these onto orange gloves and socks or shoe covers.
3. Add claw details using white fabric or felt.

The No-Sew Tiger Costume

1. Cut black felt into various stripe shapes.
2. Arrange the stripes on the orange base, ensuring a natural tiger pattern.
3. Secure the stripes using fabric glue or fabric tape.

1. Cut a long triangle from orange felt.
2. Roll it into a cone shape and secure with fabric glue or tape.
3. Stuff with cotton batting or crumpled newspaper.
4. Attach black felt stripes.
5. Pin or glue the tail to the back of the pants.

1. Cut triangle shapes from orange felt.
2. Glue them directly onto the hood of the sweatshirt.
3. Add smaller pink or white triangles inside for the inner ears.

1. Use orange gloves and socks.
2. Cut oval shapes from white felt for paw pads and claws.
3. Glue these onto the gloves and socks.

The Duct Tape Tiger Costume

1. Start with a tight-fitting long-sleeved shirt and leggings in a neutral color.
2. Cover the entire surface with overlapping strips of orange duct tape.

1. Cut strips of black duct tape in various widths.
2. Apply these strips over the orange base in a tiger stripe pattern.

1. Create a long, tapered cylinder using cardboard or rolled-up newspaper.
2. Cover it entirely with orange duct tape.
3. Add black duct tape stripes.
4. Attach the tail to the costume using strong tape or by incorporating it into the base layer construction.

1. Shape small cones from cardboard.
2. Cover them with orange duct tape.
3. Add details with black and white tape.
4. Attach to a headband or directly to a duct tape-covered hood.

Face Painting and Makeup

1. Start by applying a base layer of orange face paint or makeup across the entire face.
2. Use white face paint to create a large triangle shape on the nose and around the mouth.
3. With black face paint or eyeliner, draw the distinctive tiger stripes. Start from the center of the forehead and work outwards, following the natural contours of the face.
4. Add whiskers using thin black lines extending from the sides of the nose.
5. Enhance the eyes with black eyeliner, extending the lines to create a feline shape.
6. For added effect, use yellow or green contact lenses (if appropriate and safe).

Accessories and Final Touches

• Use pipe cleaners or thick fishing line.
• Attach them to the sides of your nose using spirit gum or face paint as adhesive.

• Create a triangular tiger nose using face paint or by cutting a shape from craft foam and attaching it with spirit gum.

• Fashion claws from white craft foam or felt.
• Attach them to gloves or directly to your fingertips using safe adhesive.

• Add fur trim around the neckline, wrists, and ankles for a more realistic look.
• Use faux fur fabric or repurpose an old fuzzy scarf or boa.

Tips for a Successful DIY Tiger Costume

1. Plan Ahead: Give yourself plenty of time to gather materials and construct the costume, especially if you're new to DIY projects.

2. Test Materials: Before committing to a full costume, test your chosen materials to ensure they work well together and are comfortable to wear.

3. Prioritize Comfort: Remember, you (or your child) will be wearing this costume for an extended period. Ensure it allows for easy movement and breathing.

4. Weather Considerations: If you'll be wearing the costume outdoors, consider the weather. You may need to adjust the design for warmth or breathability.

5. Safety First: Ensure all materials used are non-toxic and safe, especially for children's costumes. Be cautious with face paints and adhesives near the eyes and mouth.

6. Practice Makes Perfect: If you're doing face paint, practice the design a few times before the big day to perfect your technique.

7. Personalize It: Don't be afraid to add your own creative touches. Maybe your tiger has unique coloring or special markings that make it stand out.

8. Document the Process: Take photos as you create your costume. It's fun to look back on, and you'll have a guide if you want to recreate or improve the costume in the future.