DIY Garfield Costume for Kids

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Whip up a homemade Garfield costume for kids with minimal sewing and a dab of Garfield makeup. Anyone can make this easy DIY costume, supply list included; it's especially perfect for Halloween!

Every year I say I'm going to make the boys' costumes, and every year Halloween gets away from me, leaving us scrambling the night before.

Well, not this year, because we've been busy! Jaden kept changing his mind on what he wanted to be for Halloween. Finally, he decided on a Garfield Halloween costume.

I waited a few days before I started purchasing supplies, just in case he changed his mind again. Nope, Garfield it was.

This DIY Garfield costume is really pretty simple to make. In fact, why not make some Halloween treats to go along with your costume making? Like chewy monster cookies or Frankenstein brownies. Or better yet, Frankenstein Rice Krispie treats. Yum!

Why You'll Love This Costume

  • This costume is easy to make, and requires minimal supplies.
  • It also requires minimal sewing for those who are sewing challenged.
  • You can make this a Garfield baby costume, toddler costume, or adult costume. It works for anyone, any size, any age!
  • It's the perfect costume for Halloween, Garfield cosplay, theatrical productions, and more!
supplies to make a DIY Garfield costume, including orange pajamas, Duck Tape, quilt batting, a Sharpie fabric marker, and costume makeup

Supplies and Materials Notes:

You'll need a few supplies and tools for this Garfield costume DIY…

How to Make a Garfield Costume DIY

When making this costume, we decided to make the Garfield portion of the footie pajamas a temporary thing. Jaden wanted to use them as jammies after Halloween.

So we used Duck Tape for the stripes and tacked the ears and tail on. That way, everything will be easy to remove when Halloween is over.

Garfield Halloween costume made with footie pajamas and black Duck Tape

Just a Few Important Notes:

It's a good idea to wash the pajamas before you start crafting. That way they're clean and ready to be decorated.

You'll also need to make a template for the stripes on Garfield's back. I looked at various images of Garfield on Google and decided to go with 4 stripes.

Making a template out of a smaller piece of poster board makes cutting the Duck Tape stripes so much easier and more efficient. The size of the stripes will depend on the size costume you're making.

Make the Stripes:

  1. Roll out a piece of Duck Tape, place your template over the Duck Tape, and use a craft knife to cut the shape out of the Duck Tape.
  2. Then apply each stripe to the back of the footie pajamas.
  3. After placing the larger stripes, mark where you want to place the ears. Then cut a smaller stripe template for stripes that go up the hood of the pajamas, and cut the stripes. Place each stripe up the left side of the hoodie, matching in place with the stripes on the right side of the hoodie. I placed 4 stripes on each side of the hood.
how to make a Garfield costume DIY by adding stripes made out of black Duck Tape to orange footie pajamas

Now for the Garfield Ears:

  1. Begin by cutting 2 small semi-circles out of the 1-in. thick foam. Place the semi-circles on the extra fleece fabric, and draw an oval around the shapes, leaving about 1 inch extra for the hem.
  2. For each ear, fold the oval shaped fabric in half, and sew around the edges, leaving 2-3 inches open for stuffing with the foam shape. Then turn the ears right side out and stuff with the foam shapes.
  3. After stuffing, close up the ear with a needle and thread.
  4. Tack the ears to the top of the hood where you'd previously marked for the ears to go. Using an image of Garfield as your guide, color in stripes and outline the ears with a black “Stained by Sharpie” fabric marker.
how to make a Garfield costume by sewing the Garfield ears and tacking them to hoodie pajamas, then adding stripes with a black fabric marker

And Finally, Garfield's Tail:

My husband, Dan, actually came up with this tail shape for me; he's more of an artist than I am when it comes to designing/drawing. It turned out awesome!

  1. Fold more of the extra fleece fabric in half, and draw your shape, making sure to draw the tail large enough for the hem.
  2. Cut the tail out of the folded fleece, cutting both pieces of fabric. Then sew it together.
  3. Once the tail pieces are sewn together, it's time to turn the tail right side out and stuff it with quilt batting. Make sure the tail is full to the gills with quilt batting. Once it's full of batting, tack the tail to the back side of the costume.
  4. Cut 4 more stripes out of the Duck Tape. 2 stripes will be very small, and 2 stripes will be more of a medium size. Place the stripes on the tail. Then, using an image of Garfield as your guide, color in the end of the tail with the fabric marker.
how to make a Garfield costume by making a tail out of fleece fabric, quilt batting, black Duck tape, and a black fabric marker

Add the Finishing Touches to Your Homemade Garfield Costume

Finally, it's time for the props.

Garfield loves his lasagna, so I hot glued Jaden's trick or treat pumpkin bucket inside a foil pan labeled ‘Lasagna'. Easy peasy!

lasagna trick or treat bucket to go with homemade Garfield costume

And Jaden decided that he needed to also have Teddy with him (aka, Pooky), since Garfield loves his Pooky the Teddy Bear.

We needed a little Garfield makeup, so we added a little costume makeup for whiskers and such, and he was all set. So stinkin' adorable, y'all!

Garfield costume DIY with Pooky the Teddy Bear and costume makeup whiskers

And that's all there is to it! Such an easy costume to make; all you need are a few supplies and a couple hours.

Garfield is in the house, yo! And Jaden is so excited for trick-or-treating this Halloween. Have to say, I'm pretty excited too!

More Halloween Costumes for Kids

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boy in Garfield costume with stuffed Pooky the Teddy Bear and lasagna pan with trick or treat bucket
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5 from 1 vote

Garfield Costume DIY

Whip up a homemade Garfield costume for kids with minimal sewing and a dab of Garfield makeup. Easy DIY costume, supply list included.
Prep Time15 minutes
Active Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 15 minutes
Course: Halloween
Yield: 1 costume
Author: Mel Lockcuff
Cost: $45-$50

Instructions

  • Roll out a piece of Duck Tape, place your template* over the Duck Tape, and use a craft knife to cut the shape out of the Duck Tape.
  • Then apply each stripe to the back of the footie pajamas.
  • After placing the larger stripes, mark where you want to place the ears.
  • Then cut a smaller stripe template for stripes that go up the hood of the pajamas, and cut out the stripes.
  • Place each stripe up the left side of the hoodie, matching in place with stripes on the right side of the hoodie. I placed 4 stripes on each side of the hood.
  • Begin the ears by cutting 2 small semi-circles out of the 1-inch thick foam.
  • Place the semi-circles on the extra fleece fabric, and draw an oval around the shapes, leaving about 1 inch extra for the hem.
  • For each ear, fold the oval shaped fabric in half, and sew around the edges, leaving 2-3 inches open for stuffing with the foam shape.
  • Then turn the ears right side out and stuff with the foam shapes.
  • After stuffing, close up the ear with a needle and thread.
  • Tack the ears to the top of the hood where you’d previously marked for the ears to go.
  • Using an image of Garfield as your guide, color in stripes and outline the ears with the fabric marker.
  • Fold more of the fleece fabric in half, and draw your shape, making sure to draw the tail large enough for the hem.
  • Cut the tail out of the folded fleece, cutting both pieces of fabric. Then sew it together.
  • Once the tail pieces are sewn together, it’s time to turn the tail right side out and stuff it with quilt batting. Make sure the tail is full to the gills with quilt batting.
  • Once it’s full of batting, tack the tail to the back side of the costume.
  • Cut 4 more stripes out of the Duck Tape. 2 stripes will be very small, and 2 stripes will be more of a medium size.
  • Place the stripes on the tail.
  • Then, using an image of Garfield as your guide, color in the end of the tail with the fabric marker.
  • Hot glue a trick or treat pumpkin bucket inside a foil pan, labeled ‘Lasagna’.
  • Add a stuffed teddy bear for Pooky the Teddy Bear.
  • Use costume makeup to make Garfield makeup, including whiskers, a pink nose, and other Garfield facial features.
  • And that's it! Your costume is ready to go!

Video

Notes

*Wash the pajamas before starting to craft the costume.
*You’ll need to make a template for the stripes on Garfield’s back. Making a template out of a smaller piece of poster board makes cutting the Duck Tape stripes so much easier and more efficient. The size of the stripes will depend on the size costume you’re making.

8 thoughts on “DIY Garfield Costume for Kids”

    • Rachel, thank you! It was super simple to make, and he loves it. I’m thinkin’ it’ll be nice and cozy in the cold temps tomorrow night too. Win win! Can’t wait to see pics when you make it.:)

      Reply

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