It's easy to make a pair of cat ears and a cat tail for Carnival, Halloween or just to add a fun touch to your outfit. Often these ears are referred to by the term Neko, which is short for "necomimi", and are widespread throughout the anime world. They have different shapes and structures than traditional cat ears, so to complete this project you need to know how to sew. You can make them in under an hour. Also, if you create them with your own hands, you can choose the fabric, color and size you want.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare the Required
Step 1. Get the material
You can use whatever fabric you want to make the Neko-style ears and tail. If you have a sewing machine, try using it instead of needle and thread. However, there aren't many seams, so you can even do without them.
- Fabric of your choice.
- Sheet of paper.
- Marker.
- Scotch tape.
- Pins (straight and curved).
- Glue.
- Colored cardboard.
- Scissors.
- Cutter.
- Wire.
- Iron wire hanger.
Step 2. Sketch the shape
On the sheet of paper, use a marker to trace the shape of the ears. To make them three-dimensional, you should make a basic shape consisting of an oval into which to cut out a triangle - it should almost resemble Pacman's mouth. Once cut out, join the straight sides (Pacman's mouth opening) with duct tape to create a cone-shaped ear.
Experiment with different sizes until you reach the shape and size you want
Step 3. Make sure they stay on your head
If you like the shape you got, transfer the template to the colored card. Since the latter is more rigid, you will be able to use it many times.
Feel free to mark the inside of your ears with the letters D (right) and S (left) so that they stand straight on your head
Part 2 of 3: Making the Ears
Step 1. Trace the pattern on the inside of the fabric
Instead of tracing the entire outline, draw a straight line along the bottom where the point where Pacman's mouth opens: it will allow you to get two triangles. Add about 2-3 cm around the edge and cut out the shape along this pattern. You will be able to use the leftover fabric to continue this project.
If you are using a faux fur fabric, make sure that the hairs go upwards, i.e. towards the tips of the ears
Step 2. Use the second fabric
If you want to use two different fabrics for the front and back of the ears, take the second type of fabric and outline the cutouts made from the first fabric. If you prefer to use the same fabric, just do the same on another piece. Use scissors to cut out.
Step 3. Pin the ears together
During this step it is best that the inside of the fabric is facing you. Pin around the traced edge. Sew along the pins around the sides of the ears, leaving the bottom open.
Step 4. Cut the remaining fabric
Once you have the ears stitched up, use scissors to cut any excess fabric that comes out. Sew the sides together, turn up the ears: this step will bring the right side of the fabric to the outside.
Step 5. Stiffen the ears with cardboard
Insert the cutouts inside the ears through the bottom opening. Glue them in place, starting with a drop of glue at the top of the ear and working all the way down to the bottom. Pacman's mouth should still protrude: it looks like two triangles protruding from the bottom of the ears.
Step 6. Shape the ears
You need to fold the two cut out triangles that protrude from the bottom of the ear towards the back of the ear. Take the glue and apply it to the underside of the right triangle. Fold the ear so that this triangle overlaps the other to form a cone. Hold in place while the glue dries.
Step 7. Use clothespins
The ears now have structure and support, so they just need to be fixed. You can stop them with clips in a headband or directly in your hair. Just place an ear on your head in the place you want and insert the clip so that it captures the structure of the cardboard together with the hair. Two clothespins are all you need to keep your ears in place.
Part 3 of 3: Making the Tail
Step 1. Take the length measurement
The tail should go from the hip to below the knee. Cut a strip of fabric of this length and 10 cm wide. Fold the tail in half (vertically) and sew the hems together. Also sew the hem to the bottom and leave the top open.
Step 2. Cut the wire
Straighten and unwind the wire that forms the hanger. It is best to cut it leaving 15 cm more in addition to the length of the tail. Wrap the leftover fabric (or batting) around the thread. Make sure you start by rolling from the top so that the wire doesn't stick out at the end of the tail. Wrap it to the last 15 cm.
Step 3. Fill the tail
Place the thread, wrapped in fabric, in the tail. Bend the tail to take its shape and curve it the way you want. Fold the upper part of the wire, perhaps with the help of pliers, in the shape of a hook, so that it hooks on the belt. Just form a "J" for it to hold firmly.
The tighter the "J" curve, the more support the tail will have to keep it straight
Step 4. Fold the tail again
Get help from a friend. Once you have attached the ponytail to your belt, put it on. Ask your friend once again to grace the shape so that your ponytail has a perfect style.
Advice
- Make the bows come loose by sewing them to the end of the bobby pins.
- Faux fur fabric is best suited for making Neko-style cat ears and tail.
