Guide Make a Monkey Costume

1Shop for a brown sweat suit with the person for whom you are making the costume. Choose brown hooded sweatshirts with matching pants that fit comfortably. You can find a sweat suit at a thrift store, at Walmart, or online, if you cannot find one in your town.

2Ask your child to try on the hoodie. Place it over your child's head and pull the ties so that it fits snuggly and frames your child's head. Pin a safety pin at the top of where you will want the monkey ears to be.

3Take 1 piece of brown fleece. The piece should be approximately 8.5 by 11 inches (21.6 by 28 cm). Fold the piece of fleece in half on the 11 inch (28 cm) side.

4Cut 4 inch (10.2 cm) long ovals out of the brown fleece to make your ears. You can cut an oval out on 1 side of the folded fleece, near the edge, and then place 1 of the ovals on the other side of the fleece to serve as a template.

5Place each pair of fleece ovals with the front sides together and pin. At 1 end of each oval, cut a horizontal line to create a flat end. This is where you will attach the ears to the hoodie.

6Sew around the outside of the ears by hand or on a sewing machine, leaving the flat end of the oval open. Flip the ovals inside out when you are done.

7Stuff the inside of the ears with pipe cleaners to make them stand up on their own. Pin the flat end of the oval shut.

8Cut out 3 inch (7.6 cm) long ovals from your tan felt. Make sure that the oval is at least 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) smaller on all sides than your brown ovals. These will form the inside of your monkey ears.

9Glue 1 piece of tan felt on top of your brown fleece ear with fabric glue. Repeat on the other ear. Allow the glue to dry before sewing again.

10Place 1 of your hands inside the hoodie on the right side. Align the ear so that it touches the safety pin at the top. Pin the ear in place.

11Hand sew the oval ears onto each side of the hoodie in the spot you have previously measured.

12Cut 2 circles of tan felt that are approximately 8 inches by 10 inches (20.3 by 25.4 cm). If you are making this costume for an adult, add a few inches (5 to 7 cm) to each measurement to fill up more of the belly portion of the hoodie.

13Glue the 2 circles together to make a thick attachment that will appear sturdy on your costume.

14Glue the belly circle onto the center and front of your hoodie. Allow it to dry before sewing further.

15Pin a brown marabou boa to the back center of your brown hoodie. Sew it into place with brown thread. You have completed your monkey suit.

16Have the costume-wearer put on the brown sweatpants and some brown shoes. Place the hoodie over the head carefully. Pull the hoodie strings tight and tie them under the chin so that the ears stand out to the sides.

    For extra embellishment with your homemade monkey costume, give the costumed person a banana to carry.