Make a Squishmallow inspired costume with a few colors of fleece and a big piece of cardboard! This DIY Squishmallow costume is fun and easy to make – just a little sewing and a little gluing! (Or ditch the machine and just glue the whole thing!)
Squishmallows are big squishy marshmallow-like stuffed animals that you’ve probably seen around. These adorable plush toys come in a variety of animal and even food shapes.
These costumes are sure to get you in the Halloween spirit during this spooky season and ready for trick or treating!
This costume is fun and easy to make because it’s really just a big pillow! I backed it with cardboard to give the costume a solid base and to make it really easy to make.
The fabric has darts at the bottom with room to stuff to add some stuffed animal softness and dimension to the costume. You’ll just need a few simple supplies to get started:
Squishmallow Halloween Costume Materials
- Large piece of cardboard or poster board
- Fleece in the colors of your choice
- Hot glue
- Super glue
- Dimensional fabric paint for small features like a mouth, nostrils, etc
- Fiberfill stuffing
- 3″ elastic for straps, or make your own from fabric
You’ll also need basic supplies like fabric scissors, thread and a sewing machine.
Gather your supplies based on which of the Squishmallow creatures (or foods) you plan to make! Use your creativity to add your own personal touch. Use fabric markers, puffy paint or embroidery supplies for the special features. Different fabrics such as faux fur can be used to add more textures. I found it was best to reference a photo or take the actual toy to the fabric store to get a good color match!
Plush Halloween Costume Base Templates
You can print this big base template to help create a good marshmallowy shape. This base will also work for so many other costume including Mr. Potato Head, a marshmallow, a pumpkin, ghost, etc.
There are two sizes included in this template download: small for kids under 8 or so and a large size for larger kids or an adult Squishmallow costume.
Download the pattern:
Pattern will print on 15 pages. Omit the last 3 pages for the small size. Use the dashed lines to match up the pages. Tape together as shown:
Download the shapes (face features, spots, ears and snouts, etc) for the costumes in the photos using this download link:
There are templates for a cow, fox and dog critter but you can also add your own details to make any animal or food. These pages will also tape together as shown:
Gather up all the templates you need and let’s get to making our DIY Squishmallow costume!
How to make a Squishmallow inspired costume
First cut out the main template with fleece. Then cut the inner template from cardboard. The cardboard is a little bit smaller than the fleece so we can wrap it around and secure with glue at the back.
Instructions for all DIY Squishmallow halloween creatures
The bottom of the fabric template has two darts. If your animal has a belly, be sure to glue that on to the body before sewing the dart. Then fold the dart matching the sides. Sew up the dart past the top point with a 3/8″ seam allowance. For no-sew option just glue the dart sides together with a thin line of hot glue.
Repeat on the other side of the costume.
Glue all the features on before assembling the fabric and cardboard together.
Glue fabric to cardboard
Fold over about 1/2″ from the fabric onto the back of the cardboard piece, gluing in place all the way around the pillow. Leave an opening at the bottom about 8-10″ wide for stuffing.
Stuff the pillow with fiberfill stuffing. Stuff it to your liking. The darts create some space for stuffing but the fleece will also stretch slightly to give your Squishmallow halloween costume a billowy look.
Once it is stuffed enough, finish glueing the fleece to the cardboard.
Fox Squishmallow Costume DIY
The fox Squishmallow is so cute! Add little eyelashes and whiskers with puffy paint after you glue on the facial features.
For the fox ears, sew together with right sides together using a 3/8″ seam allowance. Clip the seam allowance at the point then turn right side out. Cut a piece of cardboard a little smaller than the inside of the ear and slip it inside the ear. Add a little bit of stuffing on top of the cardboard. Glue the top of the ears over about 1″ to give them a little cut turn at the top.
Once your fox is fully assembled, glue the ears to the back top of the costume. Glue well between all the layers so they stay sturdy.
Make a Cow Squishmallow Costume
Let’s make a cow costume!
Cut out patches for the black spots, one will be included in the bottom dart so glue it on to the costume and cut out the dart from the spot before sewing the dart closed. Glue pieces on. Create the nostrils with dimensional fabric paint and let dry.
Now we’ll sew the ears and horns. If you prefer not to sew, use glue instead of stitching. Cut 4 horn pieces and sew two together with right sides together with a 1/4″ seam allowance. Clip seam allowance and turn right side out. Stuff, then glue the bottom.
For the ears, cut four ear pieces from pattern piece- 2 pink, 1 white and 1 black. Sew together with a 3/8″ seam allowance.
Notch and trim the curved part of the ear. This will help reduce bulk and give you a clean finish when you turn your ear. Turn right side out.
Pinch and glue the ears together as shown using glue between the fleece layers.
Glue your ears and horns to the back of the cardboard. Use lots of glue to keep them in place.
Dog Stuffie Costume DIY
For the dog costume you need a brown spot for the eye, a white snout, two eyes, a white belly and a nose from fleece. We will make the dog’s mouth with puffy paint later.
Cut out two each of the outer ear with faux fur and inner ear with fleece. Glue the inner ear to the outer ear in the center.
Now fold and glue the top part of the ear together.
Glue the ear on the front of the dog costume.
Draw a smile with puffy paint.
Add the straps
Use wide elastic to create an X shape on the back of the costume. Super glue and some heavy duty clamps will help the elastic stay put!
It’s best to try to costume on or have the wearer hold it while you mark the spots for elastic.
I hope you enjoyed making your own DIY Halloween squishmallows! I would love to see them in our Facebook group!
Happy crafting!
More Halloween Costumes
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