How cute is this comfy, dragon wings costume diy! If I’m going to take the time to sew something, I want it to be comfy, so I picked a stretchy “scale” fabric that is easy to wear and fun to watch shimmer. I’m excited to share that I’m collaborating with JOANN, who sells the amazing fabric, to share this project! That means they compensated me for my materials and my time, but of course I only share products & stores that I already use and love, and all opinions are my own.
This is a hoodie “hack” costume which means I didn’t sew the base (check out more hoodie Halloween costume ideas here!). This is a really practical way to make costumes, I think, and will now be comfy and high enough quality to keep wearing it over and over again.
I added a little tail; it would be super fun to let kids decorate the base of their tale however they’d like, too! A kam snap holds this one on so it is easy to take off for washing, but you could hand sew it in really quickly if you’d prefer.
If you like this post, check out these other posts while you’re here!
- Glow in the dark diy jellyfish costume tutorial
- Halloween costume sewing patterns for kids
- 20+ Halloween sewing projects
- An upcycled diy dragon costume I sewed after this one
The spikes feel so cool! You could put a line of them down the top of the sleeve if you were feeling really motivated, as well.
Isn’t she cute? We went out to dinner that night and she heard all about it. A renaissance festival is in our future so I’m hoping she wants to wear this to that event too!
Pin this dragon wings costume diy for later using this link or this photo:
Dragon wings costume diy
Supplies
- Roughly 2 yards (will depend what size you’re working on) Yaya Han Cosplay Polyester & Spandex Fabric 58”-Mermaid
- 1/4 yard Black felt
- 1/4 yard purple feltl
- Poly-fill or other stuffing (I always mix in fabric scraps!)
- Coordinating thread
- Microtex needles
- Purple zip up hoodie
- Seam ripper
- Tracing paper or newspaper to create your wing pattern
- Pink sew-on gems (I bought mine in store from JOANN but can’t seem to find them online, they were with the decorative buttons)
- Walking foot (optional but useful)
- Pins or clips
- Sharp scissors
- Marker
- KAM snaps (optional, attaches the tail but you can sew it on as well)
- PDF pattern for the leggings. I used a free kid’s pattern from Bella Sunshine Designs, join their Facebook group and check the announcements for the free code/link to download your own..
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PDF file for the dragon spike- sign up for my newsletter and get the full pattern once you confirm your subscription! If you’re already a subscriber, you can access the pattern with the password in each newsletter, in the resource library.
Steps
- I broke these into 3 different parts; wings, spikes, and tail!
- I used microtex needles for this thin, stretchy fabric
- A walking foot makes it much easier to sew this project, which feeds the top and the bottom, keeping it all even, and a serger makes the construction faster but is not necessary.
- Use a 1/2″ seam allowance unless advised otherwise
- If you are using a sewing machine be sure to use a stretch stitch! The one that looks like a zig zag or a triple straight stitch.
Wings
Step 1-Create a wing pattern! I marked where the cuffs met on the body and the sleeves, then free-handed in between those. You’ll then want to draw a seam allowance (the area you’ll be sewing and then trimming) around the shape you want for your wing. I went with a rough 1/2″ seam allowance. Lay it on the fashion fabric (this is NOT felt, it is just the wrong side of the scale fabric) and cut two, mirrored.
Step 2- Trim the seam allowances closer. Layer the pattern pieces right sides together and pin, you will sew with 1/2″ seam allowance all the way around leaving a 4″ open gap at the short, straight end.
Step 3- Trim down the seam allowance and cut off the corner tips outside the stitching line. Pull the wings right side out, poking out the points, and pin all the way around. Sew with a 1/4″ seam allowance, which will help define the wings and close the gap.
Step 4- Sew on some gems! I bought these in store at JOANN but couldn’t find the exact ones online. My kids are so thrilled!
Step 5- Sew the wing on! I used a simple slip stitch and attached it to the seam allowance of the arm & bodice. Just match it up with the edges of their hoodie.
Repeat steps 1-4 for a second wing. Pay attention the direction of the scales if you care that they look the same!
Spikes & pants
Step 1– Cut! Cut & sew leggings according to the pattern. Cut 2 scale fabric pieces, from the large spike pattern, for each spike you want to use (my 4t hoodie used 7 spikes) and then 2 felt pieces, from the small spike pattern, to correlate with each spike. Cut 2 more for the tail.
Step 2– Use your scissors to trim down the seam allowance and cut small notches to make the curve super smooth.
Step 3– Turn the spike right side out, poke the top out gently, and slide a stack of 2 felt smaller spikes inside. Use a long basting stitch to secure the bottom and keep it all even.
Step 4- Place your spikes along the hood to determine placing and then use your seam ripper to rip out the center seam far enough so the main scale can slide in. Repeat for the rest of them.
This shows about how far to slide it in, roughly 2″ deep.
Step 5: Sew the openings back together! Just like a sandwich with the spikes in the middle, sew along the edges. Make sure the edges haven’t curled up so it’s a clean seam. I wish I’d used my walking foot for this, but it was fine with several pauses to readjust. I sewed with approximately 1/4″ seam allowance so you catch all the layers. I had to seam rip mine back open a few times as I played with scale, leaving the hood a little stretched out. Subsequently, I chose to hand baste them in place before machine sewing, it makes it easier to catch all the layers.
Note: the spikes seam allowance will be jutting into the hood portion. You can trim this flush with the original seam; this particular hoodie I’m using has a lined hood so you can’t see them at all.
Step 6: Hand sew the remaining scales down the spin, just at the top or all the way around if desired. I used a slip stitch here as well. [2020 update – I’ve had a few folks asking for clarification on how these are sewn on, so see the below photos for clarification!]
Tail
Step 1- Cut the tail; roughly 4″ wide by 11″ long. Pin the long sides and sew everything except the one top end together.
Step 2- Pull the tail right side out and stuff carefully. Use your accent felt spikes and sew them together, leaving a gap at the top. Slide the tail through the gap, make sure it is straight, and sew the top shut. Then sew or attach your tail to the hoodie! I opted for a KAM snap, so it is easy to take on and off for long car rides, etc.
If you try this dragon wings costume diy idea, or sew anything else with this fun fabric from JOANN I’d love to see it!
Pam @Threading My Way says
Makes me wish we celebrated Halloween when the kids were little. Showcased today…
Rebecca Mazzarella says
I think your dragon costume is a real beauty. I did use your idea and directions to make a costume for my granddaughter. I didn’t have a hoodie, so I used Simplicity 8526, which has a hoodie and pants, with the bonus of having spikes for the hood. Worst mistake was attaching the wings into the seams – figured out a better way, but too late for this costume. I used different fabric for the scales (Glitterbug, to save money . . .) and made the pants from the same fabric as the hoodie, putting scales down the outside edges of the legs (using the scale pattern from the hood). My granddaughter is coming over on Friday, so we will try it out!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Hi Rebecca! I’m so glad that you used my tutorial and I hope she loves the costume -I would be delighted if you sent me a picture (Stephanie@swoodsonsays.com 🙂 ) I bet attaching the wings was tricky in seam; hand stitching it on wasn’t too bad but machine stitching and catching it all would be trickier!
Ali B says
Absolutely love this! My daughter loves dragons. Went to JoAnns yesterday and bought the same fabric in red. She is so excited to be a dragon.
Christina says
Thank you for this! I used a black hoodie and my son picked red and gold shimmer fabric for contrasting colors on each scale; and matching red pants! The costume is great and will be perfect for imaginative play. I would post a pic here if I could!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Hi Christina! I am so glad to hear you used the tutorial and are happy with the finished costume, I’d love to see a picture if you want to email it to me 😀 Stephanie
Kristi says
I have all the things and plan on starting this soon. My question is, in step 5 to attach the wings to the hoodie, you hand stitched that?
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Fun!! Yes, I hand stitched it on because it seemed faster/easier since the two seams joining were pretty bulky.
Sheila says
I dont see where the felt is used except maybe the bottom of the tail. Am i missing something?
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
it’s used as the inserts inside the spikes as well!
Cynthia Hagan says
I made this for my son with hoody/pants from primary. It’s super cute! Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
yay! i’m so glad to hear that, I hope he loves it 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!
Alanna says
Hi! Any ideas if the free kids legging pattern is still available on Bella sunshine the URL above didn’t send me to it 🙁
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Updated the post and emailed you!
Shiba says
I have the same problem that I am Unable to access the leggings pdf. Any chance you can email me as well? Thanks
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Hi Shiba! I just double checked and the leggings are still free once you join the BSD facebook page, under the announcements 🙂 https://www.facebook.com/groups/BellaSunshinePDFLove/announcements
Ami says
Does the 2 yards of dragon scale fabric include fabric used for the leggings? If so, how much fabric would you use just for the hoodie?
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Hi Ami! That does include the leggings. It will vary a bit depending on the size of the hoodie and the width of the fabric – if you’re using the same fabric I did,a yard should suffice for just a hoodie for sure!
Andrea says
Hi! Is there any material in between the wing fabric? Thank you!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Nope, it is just the two layers of scale fabric!
Elise LaRocca-Thompson says
I am getting ready to make this for myself actually! My son picked out a dragon costume and I love to do matching hoodie costumes! I am confused as how you sewed the spikes on the back as well as the wings did you just kinda stick em on and hand stitch them i was trying to set from the pictures. I’m very visual takes me time to wrap my head around things 😆 ThanKs!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
I don’t think there is a wrong way to sew them on, honestly, it will be a bit of personal preference. Let me know if you get stuck anywhere, I love seeing examples of them pop up around halloween!
Lauren says
In the picture it looks like you did two rows of stitching at the bottom of the spike, is that true? Also I am confused how to attach them to the back of the costume, I don’t see any stitching in the pictures, did you do a slip stitch?
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Hi Lauren! I’m not sure which picture you were looking at. If I’m following you correctly, I think I experimenting once with machine stitching under the spike, and then topstitching on top but seam ripped it out, so I’m not sure if you’re seeing that one slightly creased spike? Ultimately, I did find it easiest and best to use a slip stitch to attach them. Feel free to ask other questions if I’m not answering you well enough!
Lauren says
Great thanks! And to do the slip stitch down the back of the hoodie, did you fork the spike where the stitching is at the base to attach it. In the picture you just can’t see that stitch at the base, so I assumed you folded it under to make the slip stitch easier and hide the stitching? Maybe I have that all wrong haha
Nicole Miller says
Made this for my daughter for Halloween, she loves it! I love the pant pattern. I have enough extra fabric of the scales that I’m making her a circle skirt too. Thanks for this tutorial!!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Nicole, thank you for taking the time to come back and leave this lovely comment! I’m so glad you and she enjoyed it!