How to make a cat tail

Put some real sparkle into playtime by making cute cat costumes for kids. Here's how to make a cat tail and cat mask ready for Halloween.

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Kirsty Hartley

Published: August 13, 2024 at 8:00 am

How to make a cat tail

Put some real sparkle into playtime by making cute cat costumes for kids. Here's how to make a cat tail and here's a cat mask template free!

Ever wondered how to make a cat tail? Yep, we know it's the costume every wants to make! Whip up the cat tail following the method below, then complete the look with our easy DIY cat mask.

Try adding tiger stripes or use different coloured fabric to customise your tail. If you decide to use felt for this project do bear in mind that felt doesn’t wash as well as fabric.

The templates should fit two-to-ten-year-olds, but you may need to scale up or down to fit. If in doubt, take a quick copy and mock up the mask in paper first, cutting out the eyes for size.

You can also get ready for a Halloween party or trick or treating with our 27 DIY Halloween decoration ideas to make at home and set the scene with our how to carve a pumpkin for beginners guide. We've also got 40 easy Halloween crafts for kids so you can get the whole family involved.

You will need

Sewing pins
2 pieces of soft black fabric, 44 x 30cm (We used brushed cotton moleskin but felt also works well.)
Cat tail and cat mask template
Tailor’s chalk or pencil
Sewing machine
Matching sewing threads
Scissors
60cm length of 2.5cm wide elastic
2 x Velcro squares 2cm
Soft toy stuffing
Fabric scraps or ribbon for the bow
Needle
Jingle bell

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How to make a cat tail

Step 1

How to make a cat tail step 1

Pin the two pieces of black fabric together right sides facing. Print and cut the paper cat tail template and pin the tail shape to the fabric.

Trace around the tail shape using Tailor’s chalk then add a 1cm seam allowance. To do this, simply draw a second outline 1cm from the first one.

Step 2

How to make a cat tail step 2

Sew along the first outline, taking care to lock stitch or reverse stitch at the start and end to secure your sewing.

Cut out the tail shape along the second outline making sure you don’t cut the stitching. Clip the curves of the tail in places up to 2mm from the stitching to allow the tail to turn evenly. Turn.

Step 3

Cut the elastic in half (or measure to fit your little hero). Fold the raw end of elastic 0.5cm, place the Velcro square on top and sew in place.

Do the same with the other piece of elastic and Velcro square.

Step 4

How to make a cat tail step 4

Fill the tail with soft toy stuffing all the way to the end. This part is fiddly but will achieve a great result. Folding the raw edge of the tail in 1cm, pin the raw elastic ends inside and sew shut.

Step 5

To make the bow: cut a square of gold fabric 6 x 6cm. Fold in half and sew along the raw edges leaving a gap to turn.

How to make a cat tail step 6

Turn. Sew two lines in the middle of the bow using a large setting on your machine (we used size 4), and pull the thread tails to gather.

How to make a cat tail step 7

How to make a cat tail step 8

Using a needle and thread, stitch the bow on to the tail near the elastic and add a jingle bell.

How to make a cat tail step 9

How to make a cat mask

Step 1

How to make a cat tail

Prepare the cat mask template. to the most suitable scale and make two copies of it.

Prepare enough fabric for the mask by backing it with fusible bonding web. Peel the paper backing away and back with a second piece of fabric. This will eliminate frayed edges later on.

Step 2

Bond the back of the contrast fabric scraps and trace the appliqué template pieces on to the paper backing. Carefully peel away the backing.

Step 3

Assemble the appliqué pieces in position, adhesive side down. Cover with paper or a soft cloth and press into place until bonded, taking care not to overheat sensitive fabrics.

Step 4

Topstitch 2mm (1/8") from the edge of all appliqué shapes using matching thread. Sew around the lines traced for the outer edge of the mask.

Step 5

Carefully cut out the mask 2mm (1/8") from the sewing lines. Cut out the eyes using finer scissors.

Step 6

Sew the elastic into place at the back of the mask either by hand or machine.

Everybody loves a cat tail

This DIY cat tail and easy cat mask is perfect for a kids Halloween costume or just a nice addition to their dress-up collection. But with a bit of creative thinking it would be easy to make them in adult sizes too – fantastic for festivals and fancy dress parties!

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If your little one is obsessed with cute kitties, then why not really treat them with our DIY cat costume cape on Gathered.

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Designer and Author

Childrenswear designer Kirsty is the founder of Wild Things Dresses and has written 2 books – Wild Things To Make and Wild Things: Funky Little Clothes to Sew. She’s makes award-winning happy, playful clothes for girls and boys that foster adventure, from rainbow dresses to animal costumes. After launching her Etsy shop 4 years ago, Kirsty revived her love of making and focused on putting her heart and soul into following a career creating children’s wear and textiles. Her designs are widely loved for their eye-catching colours and sense of fun and her work has been featured in magazines including Mollie Makes, Simply Sewing, Love Crafting, Sew Magazine and Crafts Beautiful. Find her on Instagram @wildthingsdresses