How to Make Poodle Skirt Costume (Easy DIY Tutorial)

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How to Make Poodle Skirt Costume (Easy DIY Tutorial)

Learn how to make a poodle skirt 50's costume easily and quickly!

I'll show you how to upcycle a thrifted skirt and give some directions for sewing your own, as well as creating the poodle applique with a few supplies!

Plus, I'm modeling my poodle skirt costumes design off of the Fallout 76 Poodle Skirt outfit.

Fallout 76: Poodle Skirt Outfit

This is a plan that was available in the Atomic Shop and purchasable with atoms.

I got it when it was available a couple years ago and wore it around quite a bit.

I thought I'd make a DIY replica of the skirt, since I just love Fallout. This is great for a themed party, Halloween costume, a Halloween cruise, decades dance or just for fun!

Check out all my other fun Fallout themed crafts, parties and recipes!

Fallout 76: Poodle Skirt Outfit This is a plan that was available in the Atomic Shop and purchasable with atoms. I got it when it was available a couple years ago and wore it around quite a bit. I thought I'd make a DIY replica of the skirt, since I just love Fallout. This is great for a themed party, Halloween costume, a Halloween cruise, decades dance or just for fun!

Supplies Needed for Poodle Skirt Costume DIY:

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Optional Fallout 76 50's Costume Elements:

Step 1: Skirt Base

You can get a sewing machine and a poodle skirt pattern for twirly skirts and make a skirt base with some basic sewing skills and sharp fabric scissors.

You just need to sew a couple straight line seams on the skirt circles, the elastic waist band and hem of the skirt.

I knew I could make a skirt with a little sewing craft, but opted to thrift mine instead because it's so much easier.

I found my skirt for under $10 and just needed to alter the skirt length a little bit for the perfect circle skirt. It's a LuLaRoe brand, so it's stretchy and basic. It's perfect for an easy DIY poodle skirt.

Step 2: Poodle Applique

Save off the 2 poodle silhouette files I have for free at the link above in the supplies list.

Upload the png files into Cricut Design Space.

Use the Cricut to cut out iron-on vinyl, white for the full dog body and the pink puff iron-on for the hair.

Step 2: Poodle Applique Save off the 2 poodle silhouette files I have for free at the link above in the supplies list. Upload the png files into Cricut Design Space. Use the Cricut to cut out iron-on vinyl, white for the full dog body and the pink puff iron-on for the hair.

Weed away the excess vinyl from the cut out images.

Originally I was going to use black vinyl for the back ground, but wanted it to be a little more substantial, so I used black felt, you could use a scrap fabric piece.

I wanted the poodle to have the same vintage look as the video game character outfit...but I did make the bottom edge of my skirt a little shorter than the game or traditional length of the skirt.

The poodle is about 6 inch square or so, if you do change the size of the files, be sure to overlap both layers and change the size of both of them at the same time, keeping them the same ratio.

Step 3: Heat Press Applique

Lay a piece of black felt on your heat press mat.

Then place the iron-on of the dog body on the felt.

Use the Cricut EasyPress to heat the iron-on for the correct time and temperature for your iron-on. Peel the carrier sheet off when it has cooled down completely.

Then place the pink puff iron-on cut out on top of the white dog body, lining up where the fluffy poodle hair should go.

Cover with teflon or parchment and press again, according to the puff vinyl directions, it's a super quick press.

My puff iron-on only needed 10 seconds at 265* F temperature.

It's a fast reaction to get the vinyl to puff up.

Then remove the carrier sheet when the iron on is cool.

Step 4: Fussy Cut

Now pick up the felt and some sharp scissors and cut around the edges, leaving about 1/4" edge.

Don't stress about it or feel like it has to be exactly perfect...but take your time and cut the poodle shape out.

Just a little time required to cut out the doggy for your own poodle skirt. Pick the colors and style it however you like!

Step 5: Adhesive or Sew

Now that the poodle is cut out, you can decide if you want to top stitch it in place on the skirt or if you want to do the no-sew option and use Fabric Tac Glue.

I love this because it dries flexible and strong, you can also use hot glue but that can be messier.

Step 5: Adhesive or Sew Now that the poodle is cut out, you can decide if you want to top stitch it in place on the skirt or if you want to do the no-sew option and use Fabric Tac Glue. I love this because it dries flexible and strong, you can also use hot glue but that can be messier.

Place the poodle on the wearer's left side, but not too close to the side, more on the front knee area.

Just apply some glue around all the edges of the felt and then apply it to the skirt, place a piece of parchment between the layers of the skirt to prevent the glue leaking and gluing the layers together.

Let the poodle applique dry completely.

Place the poodle on the wearer's left side, but not too close to the side, more on the front knee area. Just apply some glue around all the edges of the felt and then apply it to the skirt, place a piece of parchment between the layers of the skirt to prevent the glue leaking and gluing the layers together. Let the poodle applique dry completely.

It's already adorable, but just needs some fun finishing touches!

Step 6: Decoration

Now get some diamond crystals, rick rack, or sequin trim and add some decoration to the skirt.
I'm using iridescent sequin trim.

Use the tacky glue again and just glue it right onto the skirt, like a leash going up to the elastic waist band.

This is the fun part!

Step 6: Decoration Now get some diamond crystals, rick rack, or sequin trim and add some decoration to the skirt. I'm using iridescent sequin trim. Use the tacky glue again and just glue it right onto the skirt, like a leash going up to the elastic waist band. This is the fun part!

Pipe a little line of glue on the skirt and then place the sequin trim right on top of it, pressing gently.

Continue making little random loops with the trim and lead it up and around the front of the skirt.

Then finish gluing the end of the trim and then trim ribbon string at the top, gluing the string and the final sequin down firmly.

Step 7: Painting the Face

Now get some black acrylic craft paint and add little face features to the simplicity dog.

A little swish shape for the eye, with a couple of eyelashes...a little nose and tiny smile is all this poodle needs to be complete.

I messed up the first time I painted, and just used a baby wipe to remove the paint and do it again.

You could use a fine tip acrylic paint pen or even a sharpie if that's easier.

A little swish shape for the eye, with a couple of eyelashes...a little nose and tiny smile is all this poodle needs to be complete. I messed up the first time I painted, and just used a baby wipe to remove the paint and do it again. You could use a fine tip acrylic paint pen or even a sharpie if that's easier.

So cute! It's nearly identical, at least close enough!

I love the 50's vibe, it's an easy costume to make, even last minute...so get a few craft supplies, thrift a skirt and it will just take an hour or so to make the perfect costume.

Tie on a neck scarf, wide elastic belts, and some fun shoes and the costume is something you can use year after year.

So cute! It's nearly identical, at least close enough! I love the 50's vibe, it's an easy costume to make, even last minute...so get a few craft supplies, thrift a skirt and it will just take an hour or so to make the perfect costume. Tie on a neck scarf, wide elastic belts, and some fun shoes and the costume is something you can use year after year.

I wore it to a decades themed dance, back in February, with a solid sequin shirt and had a great time!

Super comfortable for all night costume, easy to dance in and have a great time.

Nothing bulky, scratchy or uncomfortable!

I wore it to a decades themed dance, back in February, with a solid sequin shirt and had a great time! Super comfortable for all night costume, easy to dance in and have a great time.

That's it!

Make a 1950's inspired Poodle Skirt for a costume, cosplay or just for fun, it's easy to DIY and add a little poodle applique to a thrifted circle skirt.

DIY projects and costumes make dressing up so much more fun and memorable than just buying a cheap costume, so take some time to be creative this season!