How to make cosplay wolf ears?

Materials Needed

• Faux fur in the color of your choice (typically grey, black, or white for wolf ears)
• 2mm EVA foam
• 12 gauge aluminum wire
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Scissors
• Craft knife or razor blade
• Electric shaver or trimmer
• Cardboard (for pattern making)
• Pins
• Hair clips or a headband for attaching the ears
• Pink felt for the inner part of the ears
• Optional: black Worbla, heat gun, and hair chalk for additional detailing

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Create the Pattern

1. Design the Shape: Draw the shape of the wolf ears on a piece of cardboard. Wolf ears are typically triangular with a slightly rounded top. Make sure to create a pattern for both the front and back of the ears.
2. Cut Out the Pattern: Use scissors to cut out the pattern from the cardboard. This will serve as your template for cutting the faux fur and EVA foam.

Step 2: Prepare the Faux Fur

1. Trace the Pattern: Lay the faux fur fabric flat with the fur side down. Place the cardboard pattern on the back of the fabric and trace around it with a pen. Make sure to trace two pieces for each ear (one for the front and one for the back).
2. Add Seam Allowance: Add a 5mm seam allowance around the edges of the traced pattern to ensure you have enough fabric to work with.
3. Cut the Fabric: Use a craft knife or razor blade to carefully cut out the fabric pieces. This helps to avoid cutting the fur fibers and keeps the edges neat.

Step 3: Construct the Ear Base

1. Cut the EVA Foam: Trace the ear pattern onto the EVA foam and cut out two pieces. These will provide structure to the ears.
2. Shape the Wire: Cut a piece of 12 gauge aluminum wire and shape it into a triangle that matches the outline of the ear pattern. This will allow the ears to be posable.
3. Assemble the Base: Glue the wire onto the EVA foam pieces using the hot glue gun. Make sure the wire is securely attached and follows the shape of the ears.

Step 4: Attach the Faux Fur

1. Glue the Fur to the Foam: Place the faux fur pieces over the EVA foam bases. Use the hot glue gun to attach the fur to the foam, starting from the bottom and working your way up. Ensure that the fur is glued down smoothly without any wrinkles.
2. Trim the Fur: Use an electric shaver or trimmer to trim the fur around the edges of the ears, giving them a more realistic look. Be careful not to cut too much; you want the fur to look natural.

Step 5: Add Details

1. Inner Ear Details: Cut small pieces of pink felt to fit the inner part of the ears. Glue these pieces onto the front of the ears to mimic the inner ear details of a wolf.
2. Optional Detailing: For additional realism, you can use black Worbla to create a more defined edge around the ears. Heat the Worbla with a heat gun and shape it around the edges of the ears. You can also use hair chalk to add color variations and shadows to the fur.

Step 6: Attach the Ears

1. Hair Clips: Glue small hair clips to the bottom of each ear. These clips will allow you to attach the ears to your hair securely. Use two clips per ear for extra stability.
2. Headband Option: If you prefer, you can attach the ears to a headband instead. Glue the ears onto the headband, making sure they are evenly spaced and securely attached.

Final Touches

1. Test the Fit: Try on the ears to ensure they fit comfortably and securely. Adjust the position of the clips or headband if necessary.
2. Style Your Hair: Style your hair around the ears to blend them in and make them look more natural.

Additional Tips

• Color Matching: If your faux fur is not the exact color you want, you can dye it using fabric dye or use hair chalk to add highlights and shadows.
• Durability: Make sure all glued parts are secure to avoid the ears falling apart during use.
• Comfort: If the ears feel heavy or uncomfortable, consider adding additional support with a headband or using lighter materials.

Resources and Inspiration