Piñata Costume

I made these classic donkey piñata costumes for my daughters for Halloween. Because they use existing pajamas as a base, they are comfy & cozy and a great choice for trick-or-treating. This project can be scaled for any age or size. No hitting for these precious piñatas but please fill their bellies with candy!

• Footed onesie pajamas
• I used footed onesies but you can use non-footed or two-piece. The color is not too important because it will be mostly covered.
• https://bit.ly/primarypajamas
• Rainbow jelly rolls (pre-packaged, pre-cut strips of fabric)
• Amount of fabric will depend on what size you're making. I used just over 3 half-rolls for both costumes pictured (18-month and 4T sizes)
• https://bit.ly/rainbowjellyroll
• Ribbon for hat ties
• I used 1" wide grosgrain but any fabric ribbon will do.
• Heavy card stock or thin cardboard for hat base
• Foam unicorn horns for donkey ears
• https://bit.ly/foamhorns
• Alternatively, you can make cone shapes out of cardstock.
• Sewing needle
• Sewing thread
• I matched thread to fabric color but you can use a single color because it will only show on the very top layer.
• Scissors
• Small utility knife
• Masking tape
• Measuring tape
• Hot glue gun
• Glue sticks for hot glue gun
• A pencil and/or marker that writes on fabric

• Lay out fabric strips in color order; 2 layers per color. I chose red, pink, dark blue, green, yellow, light blue, orange, and purple.
• Lay the pajamas flat and, starting from the bottom, mark sewing guidelines in 1" increments. Because my kids wore shoes I did not sew fringe onto the feet.

• Working on each pajama panel as a separate section, measure lengths of fabric to match the lines you have marked.
• Add at least 1" to each strip. This extra length will allow for the pajamas to stretch underneath when worn.
• Cut strips to the nearest 1/2 inch.

• On the back of each fabric strip, mark a line 1" down from the top.
• Mark and cut 1/2" wide strips below the line to create a 2" long fringe.

• Starting at the bottom, sew the fabric strips onto the pajamas using a simple running stitch.
• The 2.5” strips should overlap by 1/2” so 1” of each fringe shows.
• Do not connect the sides of the fabric strips to one another. Start and end the fabric strips right next to the pajama seam, but not on top, to allow the pajama base to stretch when being worn.
• Continue to sew from bottom to top until the pajamas are completely covered in fringe.

• Cut an oval shape out of cardstock. The size will depend on head size so find the width of the oval by measuring from the top of one ear, over the center of the head, to the top of the other ear.
• Make cuts around the edge of the oval toward the center to create darts.
• Overlap the edges of each cut to create curves. Measure against the head as you go to ensure a snug fit. Cut the hat base as needed to shape for comfort and balance.
• Attach ribbons with hot glue and masking tape, either behind or in front of the ears; whichever feels more secure.

• Use a knife to carve the base of two foam horns to match the curve of the hat base. Cut the tips off so they are flat.
• Attach ears to hat base with hot glue.

• Like you did for the pajamas, draw 1” guidelines from the bottom of the hat base to the tops of the ears.
• Measure and cut fabric strips, using the same 2.5” height, showing 1” of fringe.
• Instead of two rows of each color, use one row of each to show more color variety on this smaller piece.
• Cut the strips into smaller widths to work around the curves. I used 1/2” to 3” sections.
• Hot glue circles of fabric to the flat tops of the ears to cover the white foam.
• Hot glue fringe from bottom to top until hat base and ears are covered.

Get ready for all the “Aaaws” these cutie costumes will garner and cross your fingers that your toddler wears the hat longer than mine did!