How to Make Halloween Costume Animal Tails

Lion or Cow Tail

1. Cut the Fabric

   Cut a strip of fabric approximately 2 1/2" wide, fold the length of the strip with the wrong sides of the fabric together.

2. Sew the Yarn Into the Seam

   Insert pieces of yarn at the narrow end. Using 1/4" seams, sew the end seam, sewing the yarn into the seam. Push all of the yarn toward the folded edge and sew the long edge of the tube. If your fabric tends to fray, resew the seams a few times and use small stitches and apply a seam finish. Turn right side out.

3. Stuff and Tack the Tail

   Stuff the tube with polyester or cotton stuffing. Hand tack more pieces of yarn on to the end of the tail if you want a fluffier look. Turn in the unfinished edge of the fabric, and attach it to your costume by machine sewing or hand sewing. 

Curly Pig Tail

1. Cut and Sew the Fabric

   Cut a strip of fabric approximately 1 inch wide. Fold the length of the strip with the wrong sides of the fabric together. Using 1/4-inch seams, sew one end and along the length of the strip. Turn right side out by using a semi-sharpened dowel to push the stitched end through the tube

2. Insert the Pipe Cleaners

   Join pipe cleaners to make them the length of your fabric tube, by overlapping them and twisting them together. Turn the ends over and clamp them tightly to prevent the wire ends from poking anyone. Insert the pipe cleaners ​into the tube. Wrap the tube around a pencil or dowel, to create a spring.

3. Attach the Tail

   Turn in the unfinished edge of the fabric, and attach it to your costume by hand or machine. 

Bird Feather Costume Tail

1. Sew the Feathers

   Turn the tube of fabric right side out. Sew various length feathers along one edge. Roll the tube up, keeping the fabric coiled against and tack through all layers.

2. Attach the Tail

   Fluff the feathers to your liking, and attach the tail to your costume.