Black Cat Halloween Costume How To

My granddaughter wanted to be a black cat for Halloween. But not just any old black cat. She wanted to be a fancy black cat. Well, nothing conjures up fancy for a little girl better than a tutu. Here I will share with you how I created the costume that transformed my granddaughter into a fancy black cat for Halloween.

Items Needed for the Fancy Black Cat Halloween Costume

The Basics
Black tights or black socks (we chose tights for added warmth)
Black leggings (or sweat pants)
Black long sleeved t-shirt (a sweatshirt would work too)
Black shoes (We chose furry black bedroom slippers)
Black gloves

Now for the Fancy Stuff
Cat ears and tail (purchased as a set at Wal-Mart - came with a bow tie)
Black lipstick and eyeliner (or black face paint)
5-10 yards of black tulle (depends on the size of the child)
1 inch wide black elastic
Black fake fur (from the hobby/craft section at Wal-Mart)
Strong craft glue
Black Velcro

Tutu Instructions for Fancy Black Cat Halloween Costume
As this was my first attempt at making a tutu I needed instructions myself. I googled "How to Make a Tutu" and found many easy examples to choose from. I decided to make a no-sew tutu. I found black tulle (it may actually be netting) at Wal-Mart for 67 cents a yard. This was not the bridal type of tulle but I knew it would work for the costume. My little girl is bigger than most 10 year olds so I bought 10 yards worth. I knew I would find some project to use the left overs for. I also purchased black elastic. Cut your tulle down into easier to manage sections. Then begin to cut strips 6 inch wide by about 20 inches long. Measure the child's waist and cut a length of elastic adding 2 inch's. The instructions I used were to sew the elastic together before tieing on tulle. I forgot this step and just had the elastic placed on my table. I used 3 strips per tie and I cut some strips shorter. Place 3 strips atop each other. Fold in half over finger. Now bunch up the center and form a loop. Place this loop on top of elastic. Bring tulle under and over the elastic and through the hoop, now tighten. Do this as many times needed to make the tutu as full as you wish. You could also tie on lengths of ribbon; I did not. You should definitely google "How to Make A Tutu" for better instructions as there are so many out there.

Wrist and Ankle Bands
To make this fancy black cat extra furry we used fake fur to make wrist and ankle bands. This was easy. I cut the piece I had bought into 4 strips. I then measured around her wrists and ankles. Next I cut back some of the fur where I wished to place the velcro strips. Cut strips to proper length and glue on. Be sure to have the longest furry end on top. My granddaughter loved these. They not only added to the costume but also added warmth to her hands.

The Final Step
After your child is fully dressed in her black basics place her tutu around her waist and then add her tail. (Remember it was purchased with the ears from Wal-Mart.) Place the fur cuffs over where her sleeves and gloves meet and over her leggings at the ankles. Now place her ears upon her head and place her bow tie around her neck. Next you will want to add the final piece to her fancy black cat transformation. Use black lipstick to color your child's nose and then use black eye liner to give her whiskers from base of nose over the cheeks, 2 or 3 will do.

You have now transformed your little girl into a fancy black cat for Halloween. You may already have many of the basics for this costume on hand. It would be easy to make the ears and tail rather than buying them. You could cover a plastic head band with black ribbon or felt and cut out ears of felt and attach to the head band. It would be easy to create a tail by using some of the fake fur or use black felt and pillow stuffing to make the tail. This would make a great Halloween costume for a teenager or adult also. Enjoy playing around with this costume idea and
have yourself a ........

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!