How to make cosplay animal ears?

Materials Needed

• Faux Fur: Choose the color and length of fur that matches your desired animal ears.
• Cardboard or EVA Foam: For the base structure of the ears.
• Aluminum Wire (12 gauge): To make the ears posable.
• Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks: For assembling the ears.
• Scissors and Craft Knife: For cutting the materials.
• Electric Shaver or Trimmer: To trim the fur for a more realistic look.
• Hair Clips or Headband: For attaching the ears.
• Pink Felt: For the inner part of the ears.
• Markers or Chalk: For tracing patterns.
• Pattern Paper: To create and trace your ear patterns.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Designing the Pattern

1. Draw Your Pattern: Start by sketching the shape and size of your animal ears on pattern paper. Consider the type of animal you are emulating (e.g., cat, fox, wolf) and adjust the shape accordingly.
2. Cut Out the Pattern: Once you're satisfied with your design, cut out the pattern. This will be your template for cutting the fur and base material.

2. Preparing the Base

1. Trace the Pattern: Place the pattern on the cardboard or EVA foam and trace around it. You will need two base pieces for each ear.
2. Cut the Base: Carefully cut out the base shapes using scissors or a craft knife.

3. Cutting the Fur

1. Check Fur Direction: Lay the faux fur cloth side up and check the direction of the fur fibers. Ensure the fur points upward towards the tips of the ears.
2. Trace and Cut the Fur: Place the cardboard base on the back of the fur and trace around it, leaving a 1/4 inch gap for seam allowance. Cut the fur using a craft knife to avoid cutting the fibers.

4. Assembling the Ears

1. Attach the Fur to the Base: Use hot glue to attach the fur pieces to the cardboard base. Start by gluing the edges and then press the fur onto the base.
2. Insert Aluminum Wire: Cut a piece of aluminum wire slightly longer than the height of the ear. Bend it to match the shape of the ear and glue it to the back of the base. This will allow you to pose the ears.
3. Add Inner Ear Details: Cut small pieces of pink felt for the inner part of the ears and glue them in place.

5. Trimming and Shaping

1. Trim the Fur: Use an electric shaver or trimmer to trim the fur around the edges and inside the ears. This will give the ears a more realistic look with varying fur lengths.
2. Shape the Ears: Bend the aluminum wire to shape the ears as desired. You can make them stand upright or bend them for a more natural look.

6. Attaching the Ears

1. Using Hair Clips: Glue small hair clips to the underside of the ears. These can be clipped onto your hair or wig for easy attachment.
2. Using a Headband: Alternatively, you can glue the ears directly onto a headband. This method is more secure and easier to wear for long periods.

Additional Tips and Resources

• Crazecosplay.com: While there are no specific tutorials on crazecosplay.com for making animal ears, the website offers a wide range of cosplay accessories and costumes that can complement your DIY ears.
• Rank No.1: This source provides high-quality cosplay materials and patterns that can be useful for your project.

Video Tutorials

• Easy No-Sew Animal Ears Tutorial: This tutorial shows how to make posable animal ears without sewing, using faux fur and a headband.
• Faux Fur Animal Ears Tutorial: This Instructables guide offers a detailed, picture-based tutorial for making faux fur animal ears, including a template for the ear shape.
• Cosplay Animal Ear Tutorial: This video demonstrates how to create realistic animal ears using various materials and techniques.

Books and Patterns

• Ears and Tails for Cosplay: This book provides seven detailed tutorials for making different kinds of ears and tails, complete with step-by-step pictures and instructions. It's available on kinpatsucosplay.

Conclusion