Wild Thing Headpiece

For Halloween in 2007, my kids were characters from the book "Where the Wild Things Are."

The headpiece for the Wild Thing provided some interesting challenges. I wanted it to be at least recognizable as the character in the book, and be light enough for my four-year-old to wear comfortably. It turned out fairly well, and was very popular around the neighborhood.

We all love the book. I hope this inspires a few people to make their own Wild Things costumes!

Step 1: Create a base to work from

I started by cutting out a round piece of single-ply cardboard about 15 inches in diameter. I measured my son's head from front to back, and drew an inner circle slightly bigger in diameter than my boy's head.

Comments

[Philcar]

I just don't see how you glued that nose unto that face and got it to look so smooth. I am getting burnt fingers and glue all over the face!!!!!!!!! Can you help????

[seamster]

I don't know if I can help you!

Just keep at it. If something doesn't work the way you would like, try another method. That's my approach to this kind of stuff. Good luck!

[Philcar]

I took that glued mess off and started over. This time I sewed that nose onto the face and stuffed it as I sewed it on. And I like it. Thanks for keeping me going!!!

[Philcar]

And the sides that are curved up, end up being the front and the back of the headpiece? You said that curve defined the upper lip of the base. Thanks, You are being sosososos helpful.

[seamster]

Ah, yes, I think we're on the same page now. If you look straight on at the front of the brim, where the face will be, it should be smiling at you.

[Philcar]

It appears in your picture that in this step the back of the cardboard has been shaped or cut a little more flat than and circle. Could you please explain what you mean by "I curved the whole piece to the desired shape." Thank you.

[seamster]

The cardboard piece was perfectly round.

I curved the left and right sides upward, which made it into a cowboy hat-shape. I'm not sure how to explain that. The photo might be a little deceiving because of lack of shadows or something, but the left and right sides of the cardboard "brim" are up about 3 inches off of the table.

[valalltogether]

this is coming very late..but thanks for your instructions!! between my mom an dmyself i was able to make a wild things head piece too! it turned out great and i had a blast on halloween!

[seamster]

Never too late! The costumes look great.

Thanks for the photo!

[J-Five]

Rest in Peace
Maurice Sendak

[J-Five]

That's what my kids look like, even though they're not in a costumes.

[cwiley4]

Thanks for the instruction!
I modified your instructions and blogged it here(in case you want to check out the other photos):
http://cassihousecat.blogspot.com/2011/11/great-halloween-debacle.html
WARNING: the post is heinously long.

I credited your Instructable and linked back here.

Peace!

[erinogrady]

This year was amazing, thanks to your fantastic directions! We all thank you so much! <3.

[seamster]

Wow, those turned out great! Have you considered posting an instructable to share some of the details on how you made all of these? There are a lot of people that would appreciate seeing the details on how you made these costumes.

Thanks a bunch for the photos! Totally made my day.

[erinogrady]

I SHOULD!! I spend like 2 months & lots of trips to this page figuring out how to make them work. I am really happy w/ the outcome! Thanks so much for the kind words! *You* just made *my* day!! I make lots of little crafts and really do need to take the time to put them up here. <3

[seamster]

Yes indeed. Just be careful, it can become addicting!

[maker.mama10]

I wouldn't have known where to start without your Instructable! Thanks so much!

[seamster]

Looks very nice! One of my favorites so far. Well done!

[maker.mama10]

Aww, thanks! I blogged a little about some of the alterations + made a materials/price list if anyone is interested. Thanks again!

http://nightgardendesign.blogspot.com/2011/11/pinterest-challenge.html

[allyallybobally]

I finally finished it! Thank you for the great instructions!!! :)

[seamster]

Looks great! I just got back from a night out begging for candy with my kids... and now that they're all in bed, I get to steal some of their candy!

One of the perks of being dad, I guess. Thanks for the photos!

[Andib]

Hi! I just wanted to say thanks for your instructable. I finally have posted one of my own, because of yours. And here is the photo of what I created from it. Thanks for such great info.

[seamster]

Looks very nice! With a full-body costume to boot. Well done!

[kogrady]

Thank you so much for your detailed instruction. I went off road because of the time but all went well tonight. Thank you again.

p.s. I sacrificed my broad rimmed gardening hat (with chin string) affixing rounded cardboard on either side of the brim for support and built off that. Yes, I began this project at 11 p.m. last night and that is all I could come up with.

[seamster]

Looks great!

[allyallybobally]

I found this while making my son's max costume and decided I had to make this too... but I'm stuck on the hair in the back. I know you made this a long time ago but I just need to know if you attached the hanging hair to the lower jaw or just let it hang.

[seamster]

Yes, the hanging hair flaps that are showing on either side of the upper jaw area were glued down to the lower jaw piece (the piece I describe making in step 7). This left about 6 inches or so in the middle of the lower jaw/chin piece where I needed to piece in a section of fake fur to finish it off. I hope that helps!

[speltbaker]

I made this costume for my kid when you first put it on Instructables.

Somehow, we have found a way to bring it of storage with the least provocation! People ask to wear it. SOooo many people have worn this just to try it on. Everyone loves it. The costume designer at our school just stared at it in awe! This is one of my all time favorite Instructables. Thank you so much...

[seamster]

Well, thank you! This was a fun project. I'm glad you liked it and were able to make your own. (No photo? I love seeing other people's photos. You ought to post one, just to humor me.)

[seamster]

Oh wait, you already did! I should've checked first...

[snowdrps]

I wanted to say thank you I was able to create the three monsters for our dance groupes production. Thank you.

[seamster]

Awesome! Glad I could help out a little. Thank you for the photos!

[J-Five]

it looks like my uncle

[angelabchua]

So as promised, I wore your costume project to our Instructables Show and Tell event and everyone LOVED it and immediately recognized your i'ble.

It made the front rotators on our new "Letters from the Editor" and i've attached a pic below. Thanks again for creating an awesome costume and sharing!

[queenofruitloops]

I used your tutorial to create the headpiece my boyfriend wore for a 'after halloween' costume party! It turned out so great! We tweaked it a little bit and hot glued everything instead of sewed, but it was a lot more convenient for me. Thanks for the tutorial! :-D

[seamster]

Once again, hot glue to the rescue!

Thank you for sharing your photo. The costumes look great!

[sharona789]

This was awesome. It was so easy to follow your directions. The Max costume I had made last year, so Carol was an obvious choice for a partner this year. We won a costume contest among over 1,000 people and had gotten so many positive comments throughout the night. Thanks!

[seamster]

Congrats on the win! That's just awesome!

..And thank you for taking the time to post the photo and let me know how it went!

[Kaylin_is_Awesome]

I was having trouble deciding what I wanted to be this year but I saw this and KNEW me and my boyfriend were totally gonna be max and carol/moishe. If it werent for you we would have been stuck in a lurch. You TOTALLY werent lying when you said the head shape was the hardest part. I wanted to die! You are the best of the BEST!

[seamster]

Thank you! Those look like they turned out great. Thanks for posting the photo!

[angelabchua]

Soooo I just wanted to let you know... That before i started working here, I was a long time user of the site, but it was YOUR i'ble that prompted me to actually make something.... your my first!

So in honor of that, I am going to be wearing my headpiece to the Instructables Show and Tell Party in our HQ this weekend! Pics to come!

Just wanted to you to know... THANKS!

[seamster]

That's awesome!

You're my new favorite instructables staff person!

[angelabchua]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS I'm going to rub that into Scoochmaroo's face.... amongst others here in the Lab!

Happy Halloween!

[seamster]

So I take it she's the mean popular girl at instructables?? ...and that there are some bitter rivalries at HQ! That is awesome!

Do you guys ever get in fist fights over who gets to use the "nice" sewing machine?

[angelabchua]

We braul daily. Hair pulling, throwing heavy blunt objects, and lots of name calling. Ya know... just the normal stuff ;)

[mary candy]

I loved this film,, I saw it last week.
All the costumes are amazing.

[cosmobuehler]

Thank you so much for the instructions and I'm so glad that other people shared their 'bag of tricks". I still have the lower jaw to do and the sea noodle idea is just what I needed. I couldn't figure out how to get the jaw to stick out using pillow stuffing so I'm hoping this will do the trick. I'll fine tune it some more once I get the jaw done and attached. After I finish this one, I'm going to make the Wild Thing with long red hair. I found the perfect thick hair like yarn at Joann's today. My kids will have the coolest costumes this year!

[seamster]

You are very welcome!

This is looking awesome. Keep to it, and your kids will have a Halloween they won't forget. Thanks for posting the photo!

[mr_reese]

Here's my son in costume. He puts it on every night now.
Thanks again!

[jiggsjazz]

This costume is awesome! Would you be willing to sell this? let me know. I would love to have this for my 5 year old son this halloween.

[mr_reese]

Thanks for the compliment! The problem with selling it is that it was made for my 7 yr old son who's closer to the size of a 10 yr old. So I'm sure it would be a little big and the head a bit heavy to carry around. I'd be willing to make one if you really like it provided the price is right.

[jiggsjazz]

That would be great! Let me know how much and we will go from there. Could you have it ready by Oct 15th? You can email me personally at [e-mail]. You should sell these costumes on etsy or ebay. You are amazing!!!!

[seamster]

That just looks awesome.  I see that you added something to the creases to make them stand out.  Another nice touch!

[foofeebear]

OMGSH! i used this tutorial for last Halloween and it was so great! I got a ton of compliments on how awesome my costume was so I just wanted to say thanks for putting this instructable up!
Here are some pictures of me with my wild thing!

[seamster]

That's awesome! I'm glad you found this useful. Thanks for the photos!

[leahbugcie]

I did it!  Thank you so much for the instructions.  The kids had a blast, even though one of my little monsters didnt feel good.  Thank you again, their big bobble heads were a hit!

[J-Five]

There so adorable!!!

[seamster]

Way to go!  Your costumes are awesome.  Thanks for the photos!

[mg0930mg]

A little late, but I did make it, I had elastic connected to both of the halves of the head, so if I tilted my head down, and it closes. I'll try to find the finished pictue somewhere. I got pictures taken every hour or so...

[seamster]

Wow, that's a lot of fur!  It looks good, thanks for the photo!

[mg0930mg]

Just under 2 yds. of fur. It was about $10 a yd, at jo-mar. It was very fun, and just held together with hot glue.

[goldilox154]

Here is my little wild thing.  We used your pattern/ advice.  She won "scariest" in her division...and I was able to sell the costume to a friend for next year!  Thanks so much!

[seamster]

Awesome!  That looks great.  Thanks for the photo!

[goldilox154]

I meant to add that we took the stuffing out of a huge teddy bear  we found at a thrift store for her body and fur on the head piece.  I hot glued the orange stripes on it using an orange feather boa from Hobby Lobby.  The boa blended right in like fur.  I added felt "scales" on the legs. We live in Texas so she was pretty hot!  But the costume was awesome!  Tons of compliments and no one could believe we made it ourselves!

[catherineanne]

I just wanted to say THANK YOU! I recently got a sewing machine as a gift, and making Halloween costumes was my first sewing project since junior high. I was Max and my boyfriend was the Wild Thing. We used your instructions for the headpiece, and our costumes were a huge hit! Everywhere we went (two parties, downtown to a few bars, to our neighbors' houses to show off...) people were in awe and thought we bough the headpiece. We only really entered one costume contest (and won), but were told many times that we could have won the $1500 prize downtown if we had gotten there early enough to enter. As it was, we felt like celebrities downtown, because people stopped us every ten fee to get a picture. Thanks!

[seamster]

You're welcome! 

That's awesome that you won a contest, and got so many compliments and such.  The costumes look great--not bad for your first sewing experience since junior high!  I'm glad they were a hit, and I'm glad my instructable inspired you.  It's so much fun to get feedback like this. 

Thanks for the note, and the photos! 

[amatsumoto]

 Can you add a list of supplies for the costume? 

[textstyles]

Our version turned out a little on the heavy side for my five-year-old, but he loved the costume and all the buzz it generated. What kid wouldn't be proud when half a dozen teenage girls shout, "We love you Carol!" Plus, after watching mom put this together he really wants to learn to sew. Maybe next year he can make his own costume!
Thanks so much for the directions. I looked at doing this two years ago and really didn't know where to start when it came to the Wild Thing. The whole process gave me some ideas for future costumes as well.
FYI we used a plastic Uncle Sam hat (leftover from 4th of July) in the base. Just glued the brim to the cardboard and it gave the whole thing enough balance we didn't even need the chin strap.
And the sweater/fur is strips of old throw rugs glued to an oversized shirt. Kind of a pain, but warm for our 35 degree MN Halloween.

[seamster]

Hey, those look pretty good.  I highly recommend that you teach your son to sew.  It's a skill that will impress all the babes.  In fact, I attribute all my own pre-wife babe-attracting prowess to my sewing skills.  I just couldn't keep the girls off me.

Yeah, not really.  It did impress one girl--my wife.  Nonetheless, it's still good for a guy to know how to sew. 

Thanks for the photos!

[riku-riku-chan]

[seamster]

Very cool!  I love the pants.  The kids at the library will always get a kick out of this for sure. 

Thanks for the photo!

[bas061]

Thank you Thank you Thank you!! I took this to Madison for Halloween and everyone there loved it!! I was a very good idea! Thank you for the instructions!

[seamster]

Hey, that turned out pretty good. Thanks for the photo. 

Say Hi to Vanilla for me, okay?

[Cmac2090]

Here are a couple pics of my costume.  I lucked out and got the sweatshirt from Old Navy.  i put a window screen in the mouth to hide my face a little better.  Thanks for the pattern!!!

[seamster]

Sweet!  That turned out really, really well.  One of my favorites that I've seen so far.  And the Max doll is a nice touch.  Is that store-bought?

[Cmac2090]

I was hoping to find fur like you used on yours.  I wanted to have the hair a lot longer... but it was hard to find.  i went to a few different places.. none the less i am happy with how it turned out.

[seamster]

The screen makes a huge difference too--I think it sells the whole costume.  Once again, very nice.

[Cmac2090]

Thanks.  Yeah i got the Max at a local book store.  I lucked out and got it for half off

[riku-riku-chan]

thank you, thank you, thank you! i wore this on halloween (along with pants and sneakers that i covered in triangles of felt and a fur tail) and got so many smiles, stares, and compliments! i'm going to wear it to the library where i work and read "where the wild things are" to a group of kids next week... i love it, and i already have plans to use a similar design for future character-head costumes!

[textstyles]

Still figuring out this site. Here are our pics. (Dad made the tails and the sailboat wagon.)

[Grins]

 Cant upload my picture, but it turned out great :D

few tips for anyone wanting to try this in the future:

1: pad the inside of the hat part with foam after you're done so it will stay on your head more easily.

2. when you're making the base for the head make it wider than your shoulders

[jesikat]

yay! Thanks for the instructable. I kinda got lost but winged it and everything turned out great! :D

[seamster]

Thanks for the photo, I'm glad it turned out well in the end.  That's the secret--just wing it when you get stuck! 

[christywitters]

Thank you so much for the directions and inspiration!  I've been wanting to make wild things costumes for years - and of course, this was the year!  Thank you again! 

[seamster]

You are very much welcome!  The costumes look great.  Between me and jessyratfink, I think we've helped a lot of people have a great Halloween.  Mission accomplished! 

It's so much fun to share ideas and see what other people come up with.  Thank you for the photos!

[groverjo]

We used yours as a guide and did a few things differently. But there were six of us and three of us had the big heads.

I went a little further than the others and made a full body suit from fur. Also I included gloves which I thought turned out pretty well, but they were a real pain.

Needless to say none of us new how to sew before this project, but we can all do it pretty well now. haha

[seamster]

I'm glad you took it on, and learned to sew in the process.  They look pretty good!  Thanks for the photos!

[groverjo]

oh btw thank you very much for posting this. Without it we would have never even attempted it! I am really glad to see everyone's take on it! They all look different it's really cool!

[flashpipe]

FABULOUS tutorial!! Thank you so much for sharing!! My wife, daughter and I were all Wild Things. Our son (2 years old) was supposed to be Max, but he didn't want to wear the costume when we were taking pictures.
We had TONS of great comments while trick-or-treating.
The costumes turned out great:
VeryMerrySeamstress
and we even won our town's costume contest!

[seamster]

I like your take on these... especially the detail on the faces.  I'm very impressed!  Thanks for the photos!

[dvnunez3]

Thank you so much for the instructions! I would have been lost without them! I had a great time making these costumes for my boyfriend and myself. Costumes were a hit.

[seamster]

It looks like you went as Max... in a mini skirt?  Very cool.  You guys look great.  Thanks for the photo!  

[shannon222]

Seamster- Thanks so much for the tutorial- I'm lucky I found it!
I used it for both Moishe and Tzippy (although I love the idea of Animal that rainmaker posted!) and they turned out pretty well! We had a great time, had SO many compliments and about a million people asking us to take pictures with them. It was a lot of fun.
Thank you for your help!! :)

[seamster]

Very good!  Those look great.  I'm glad you got lots of compliments--you definitely deserved them.  Thanks for the photo!

[rainmaker3000]

Hey there!

Heres my rendition, only its ANIMAL! I used the same type concept for the frame, and from there used packaging foam, ostrich plumes and feathers, and some pantyhose for the mouth.  I'm playing in a band at a Halloween Dance and will be playing the drums no less!  Thanks for the help, and Happy Halloween!!

RAGH!,
Zach

[groverjo]

I am really impressed with this one. It is really awesome!
Great job!!!!!

[leahbugcie]

that is GREAT!

[nooooddy]

This looks fantastic hahaha!! Nice job man!

[tvwithcheese]

awesome!

[seamster]

That's awesome!

[Cmac2090]

can anyone help... i just tried to upload my pics and they never came up... i tried a few different times.  i uploaded them from my computer. 

[leahbugcie]

i had the same problem too.  you have to make sure after you choose the picture you need to click upload then click post comment.  hope that works for you, if not I have know idea.

[wildthing2009]

thanks so much for the instructable!
my costume was a hit with my girlfriend as max!

[seamster]

That looks great!  That headpiece is appropriately enormous.  Possibly the biggest homemade version I've seen so far.  Kudos to you!

[nooooddy]

Hey guys, some nice heads below!

I made this extremely well documented instructable with the help of a colleague (thanks Linda!) and my girlfriend (thanks Kelly!) and it turned out AWESOMELY!

Thanks very much to Seamster for the fantastic idea and well written instructable!

[seamster]

I like it.  Thanks for the photos!

[cartier86]

I did my best to follow your instructions, but found that looking at your many pictures was most helpful :-) I have never made anything like this before, but had a very fun time with the finished product! Thank you for putting this on the site, it seems that you helped hundreds make an awesome costume this year :-)

[seamster]

It turned out very well.  And it appears that the pink lady with you used jessyratfink's pattern for Max's wolf-suit hoody.  Looks like you guys had a fun Halloween.  Thanks for the photos!

[ejennings1154]

Thank you so much for your instructions.  I wanted to share are finished work with you! 

[seamster]

Wow!  Very cool.  Thank you for the photo!

[Cmac2090]

good stuff

[djskeeto]

Hey Thanks for your tutorial. It was very informative and made me the talk of the town! ^-^ Had a bit of trouble with the "triangles"/dome shape thing to work, but made a wireframe and guestimated my dimensions.

I opted to make more of a wider shape to the face a bit longer than my shoulder-width. The size was great but a little on the heavy side giving me a stiff neck at the end of the night. I went with my girlfriend who dressed up as Max.

[seamster]

Very cool! 

Yep, there are lots of ways a person could make this.  I'm glad it worked out for you.  Hopefully your girlfriend rubbed your sore neck to make you feel better.  Wild things need love too, you know.  Thanks for the photo!

[simplycomplex08]

Thanks for the inspiration, I took a slightly different route though. I chose to use paper mache instead. My girlfriend and I went as a wild thing and Max for Halloween and we one first place ($100) at a costume contest. Thanks again for your contribution to Instructables, I'm looking forward to more.

[simplycomplex08]

[seamster]

That would have been my pick for first place, too.  Thanks for the photo--I'm glad you won!

[tvwithcheese]

Thanks so much for this tutorial...it was excellent!

I made this for a Halloween party this weekend.  It could've been better (the nose) but I'm pretty happy with how it came out. And it was definitely the life of the party.
I had some trouble with the bottom jaw...I didn't have foam and the tube I made was too short. A few extra patches of felt helped it come together.

I had some extra fur so I made small wrist cuffs and added some felt nails to it for claws.
Also I made a tail by making a tube of fur (with pointed end) and stuffed it. I added some wire into the tail so it could be flexible. I left some extra bit of the tube at the top so I could make a loop to slip my belt through it and that's how it's attached to my bum.

Thanks!

[tvwithcheese]

Forgot to add the photo

[elchicano411]

Did you make the shirt or did you buy it? If you bought it can you tell me where you bought it?
Thanks

[tvwithcheese]

I bought the shirt...I just got lucky. I went to a thrift store and this is what i found. Its a short sleeve polo with a white collar. But with the head and fur pieces for the arms you can't even tell.

[seamster]

That has to be the biggest version I've seen so far!  Well done. I like the arm-fur and the appropriate wild thing pose. 

[tvwithcheese]

It really is HUGE! haha  Its pretty heavy too.  The chin straps would've been a good idea had I had more time.  Thanks again!

[angelabchua]

I have to say a BIG BIG thank you for this amazing instructable!  Mine are no where near as good as yours, but my boyfriend and I are pretty excited that we have the best costumes EVUUUR!....thanks to you.

[isthatlatin]

hi seamster, great instructable you've got here. almost done with mine, just a few questions. i noticed that in step 6 there are thin straps (shoelaces?) extending from the corners of the neck piece. are they intended to be tied together somehow? how are they used?  

also, in step 7 you say that the lower jaw sleeve was attached to the front corners of the neck piece.  stupid question, but which are the front corners?

thanks again!

[seamster]

Ah, very observant you are.  Those little straps were an idea that didn't work, so I cut them off later.  

The front corners I was referring to are actually the same sections of fabric that those straps are attached to that you wondered about. 

Depending on what you've got so far, you may need to just tinker a bit to get it how you like it. Good luck!

[elchicano411]

I finished my head piece a couple of days ago. But instead of sewing fabric i made mine out of papermache. I will try to upload a picture soon. Thanks seamster this is going to be a great halloween costume.

[elchicano411]

Here goes my mask. As i said before I made this out of paper mache. I also closed the lower jaw just enough so i can see.

[seamster]

Nice work!

[Logan D]

 

[maninabubble]

 My girlfriend and I had a great time making ours! Thanks for the instructions, they were so helpful! I had a little trouble deciding what to do in back.  but ended up hanging fur down to cover up my neck and it was fine.  Thanks again!

[seamster]

Looks good!  Thanks for the photos!

[camila8301]

Ended up buying an inexpensive brimmed hat at good will.  Made the dome with paper mache and covered it with some batting then the fabric.  I used hot glue (and some duct tape)...no sewing.  I cut a tennis ball in half for the eyes, then covered in yellow felt.  I found it easier to follow along by looking at the pictures than actually reading all the steps.  Saved time and errors (cutting the fabric in 2 half circles to b ethe right size, etc).  Also made a different nose...used scrap from the circle bands I cut for the inside of the mouth. 

Thanks for posting the idea.

[seamster]

Well done.  Thanks for posting the photo! 

[camila8301]

[wwynn2001]

I did this and it came out decent. Thanks for the information. Didn't come out as great as yours but it will do lol.

[seamster]

Thank you for the compliment.  Hey, I'm glad you at least took a shot at it... no matter how it turned out! 

[mg0930mg]

I was wondering, do you have any idea how I could make one that opens and closes? So, I could wear it down when I wanted.

[seamster]

If I was to do that, I would make the lower jaw out of something fairly rigid, like cardboard or maybe even wood, and attach it to the head with some sort of hinge.  The simplest way to make it stay open or closed may be with just plain friction--make the hinges just as tight as needed so you can move it, but it will stay where you put it.

Another idea might be to attach a stiff wire or small rod to the bottom of the lower jaw which you could use to open and close the mouth similar to the way ventriloquists move their dummies arms and hands.  That would be a cool effect, especially for someone observing from a little ways off.  Hmm.  Let me know what you come up with.

[mg0930mg]

For the movable jaw, I am planning to use a hinge.
Also, you know how hood's on a car have a rod to put it up, I'm going to use two small rods like that on both sides of my mouth....

[seamster]

Sounds good.  Let me know how it turns out.

[mg0930mg]

Thank you! I'm sure I'll find something!

[mr_reese]

I also used the triangle method to create the dome in step 3. But instead of 5 triangles I used 3. look online for ball patterns using triangles and only make half enlarging it to the size of your base.

[iammeanttolive]

I have a question. Where could I get this kind of fur? Its the only thing that I cant find and I really need it for halloween. I need to know as soon as possible. So if somebody could respond and help me, I would greatly appreciate it.

[seamster]

I got mine from the fabric section at Walmart, but I've seen similar stuff at most fabric stores.

[Amr31379]

 I found my fur at Jo-ann Fabrics - just call a few places so that you don't waste your time driving all around town  - like I did ;-)

[iammeanttolive]

you did? okay! that helps a lot! I want to ask one more question? what would you suggest as an alternative to sewwing whenever you were making the dome?

[seamster]

Hot glue.  You could do this whole project with hot glue if you needed to.  I have an old low-temp glue gun that I use for all my manly crafting needs. 

[elchicano411]

SInce i can't sew i went with paper mache.

[Abs0fsteel]

Hi! we all finished and went to the movie last night.

[flio191]

oh my goodness, that's really impressive!

[Cmac2090]

Great job on the costumes.  i am sure the people in line loved you guys coming in.

[seamster]

Holy crap!  Those are so cool. 

[roadieflip]

I love the look of concentration while opening sweeties in the first step...

[travywhat]

Instead of two half circles, we used like five triangles and sewed them all together. made a nice dome. just make the triangles as tall as you want the dome to be.

[seamster]

This is a smart, quick way to make a good dome shape.  Thanks for posting this!

[speltbaker]

 well.. what do you think seamster???

I THINK THIS IS THE BEST INSTRUCTABLES EVER! My kid saw this and said "THAT is what i want for my halloween costume!"
your directions are EXCELLENT. i had some problem with the fur but that was not the fault of this instructable - my fabric store only sold small rectangles of fur, so i had to cut and paste them. it was a PAIN. definitely buy (plenty) of fur by the yard if available. also, i am going to steam-iron the bottom teeth a bit so they stick up a little more. i wasn't able to get foam for the lower jaw, so just made a long tube and stuffed it. wow.. this made for one happy, happy halloween wild thing. thanks SO MUCH!

[seamster]

Looks great!  I'm glad everything worked out for you.  I say, use what you have available.  My instructions just showed how I got it done, but plenty of people have shown that there are many ways to get the same basic finished product. 

Very good job! 

[stevenlk]

honestly i cannont get passed this part. i cant get the dome dimension.. any other tips or precise measurements.

[nathannnahtan]

what i did was cut another base, cut out the inner circle and cut it in half. then i use that to guide the fabric to make a dome shape

[Craftibles]

Great! Even when the costume wearer isn't smiling, he always looks happy!

 

[3NavyBabies]

I finally got step 3, so maybe I can help. Measure the circumference of your cardboard base. Take that by half. So if your circumference is 50 inches around, you cut a circle out of the fleece with a radius of 25. Then cut down the middle of the circle. Put the 2 pieces together and sew them around the curved part. The flat part will be the opening and it should fit over your cardboard like a pillow case. Hot glue and stuff!

[seamster]

This will work, except the circle would need to have a diameter of 25 inches (the length all the way across the center of the circle).  Otherwise, your directions are right on.  Thanks!

[3NavyBabies]

Oops...yeah! Sorry, 3 wild things running around. I've lost my mind :)

[mr_reese]

I can't thank you enough! My kids love their costumes! You are the MAN! We made Max and one of the Wild Thing. Can't wait until Halloween.
Thanks again!

[seamster]

Looks good!  I like the details on the mask--the spots of light on the eyes and the goatee are nice touches.  And the rest of the costumes look good too.  Thanks for posting the photos!

[astronautbear]

I didn't get mine done in time for the movie premier but it's done in time for Halloween! Thanks for the directions! Keep up the great work!

[seamster]

Very nice!  How did the build go?

[miketunes]

Maybe he means sew the two pieces together along the flat part, not the curved part.   It kinda looks like there's something a pillowcase or something else not mentioned he's sewing too.  I'm not sure, I'm working on it now trying to figure it out. 

[rockitship]

I LOVE THIS!!!!!!!

Approximately how much faux fur did you need for your son's costume?

Thanks...

[seamster]

Shoot, I don't know...  Probably around a half yard of 36 inch wide material or so.  Just remember to always buy a little more than you think you'll need.

[3NavyBabies]

Nevermind...evidentally I can't read!

[seamster]

That infamous Step 3... it's stumped a lot of people.  I've tried to word it so it isn't quite so confusing.  Good luck with the rest, and be sure to post a picture when you're done! 

[3NavyBabies]

I have a question about step 3 (surprise!). You said that you measured the circumference and then the flat sides were that length? Shouldn't they each be half that length plus 3/4". So when they are sewn together, they are the circumference and not twice the circumference? I am just making sure because I do this. We were having some serious troubles with this step last nite.
Thanks!

[Chikara]

sweet. we're doing a play in our class and this will be perfect.

[aew91097]

Seamster:

My son needed a costume to illiutrate the word ferocious.  Your instructions fit the bill.  I have attached some photos of the Wild Thing.  Thanks for the guidance; we think it came out great!  It took some finessing and imprvisation for my skills.   He'll have fun with it a school.

[aew91097]

See picture here.

[seamster]

Awesome!  It looks great.  Thanks for posting the picture.

My wife pointed out that your son appears to have a bit of a smirk...  is he less than thrilled about wearing this to school?

[blorgggg]

Hey your instructable rocked! It inspired the design behind my BEARDAPUS costume (http://picasaweb.google.com/kathleen.myra.kelly/Beardapus), but i used some styrofoam i found instead of cardboard. Also i only used felt and was able to just hot glue everything! no sewing needed!

[Amr31379]

 I am a little stuck on Step 3 - can you take me through what to do if you have a pillowcase? I am thinking that if I put on the fabric and then stuff it everything will fall through the cross-pattern of my cardboard - I know I must be missing something, but can't figure it out. Any help is greatly appreciated!!!

[ArcadeFire]

 I am beyond impressed. My headpiece didn't turn out quite as I had hoped, but for a first-time effort I am pleased. I wore mine proudly to the movie as well. :)

[seamster]

It's great!  It kind of looks a bit deranged--like a Wild Thing that is actually wild.  I like it.  

Very nice for a first effort, too.  Thanks for posting the pictures!

[samdaman1313]

Hey im wondering how much this cost to make. im 15 and would LOVEEE to make it but my mom thinks it costs too much and would take too much time

[seamster]

I replied to someone below with the same question--probably around 20 to 30 dollars, depending on what you already have.

[samdaman1313]

about how long did you spend making it? id like to do it over a weekend but ive got lots of other things going on

[DonnaLyn]

This is a lot of fun to make - thanks for the idea and instructions!  I am still working on the fur.  Beware!  It gets bigger and heavier than you think!  (mine is about 2lbs)  I'll have to add another head pad to keep it off my kid's nose.

I spent about $18, but counting the materials I had on hand, I would guess about $25 for the entire head.  I cut a pool noodle in half lengthwise for the lower jaw.  I also had a bunch of felt so I used that instead of fleece.

[Grins]

 oo, a pool noodle you say?  thats a really good idea, ill try that with mine :)

[seamster]

It looks great!  Your kid will be the coolest kid in town.   

[Grins]

 looks great seamster, had a couple questions:

Does the fur you used have a specific name?

im a pretty tall guy at 6'2", are there any proportion sizes i should change?

i kind of wanted to make a moveable, more sturdy lower jaw, any tips as to how i might do that?

lastly, about how much did this cost?

[seamster]

I actually found that fur at Walmart.  Not sure if it even had a name.  For the head piece, you'll want to make it a lot bigger than this one.  This was made for my son, whose head at the time was about 21 inches around, measured just above his ears.

If you're planning on making any sort of costume for the rest of your body, you may want to bulk it up (depending on how big you are), so the big head fits with the rest of your body.

I gave an answer below to another person about a movable jaw that might give you some ideas.

I didn't spend a lot on this.  On the entire costume I spent about $20, because I used up lots of stuff I already had.  If I was to make just the headpiece with purchased materials, I imagine it would cost about $30.

[jupaalda]

Here is my attempt.....couldn't find the great fur you had.  Couldn't keep the jaw curved.  Etc.  But for a quick attempt, held together mostly by glue  - not bad!!!
Thanks for posting your awesome costume and directions!!!

[jupaalda]

Oops....HERE it is!

[seamster]

I like it!  You'll get a lot of compliments wherever you go for sure.  Thanks for putting up a picture--that makes my day!

[clpierce08]

Do you by any chance still have these and would like to sell them?  My 5 year old want to dress up like them so bad I just am beyond clueless or creative enough to pull this off plus wtih 4 little ones it's impossible to find the time .  Or If you could make one for me and I could pay for that?

[J-Five]

Who's the kid in the costume? He/she looks so cute.

[seamster]

Thanks. Those are my sons.

[J-Five]

i bet they will get lots of candy.

[Flippincool]

Hi! This is awesome!! I just wanted to let you know I've included it in a kid's halloween costume tutorial roundup on my blog, The Handmade Experiment. Check it out at http://emilyflippinmaruna.wordpress.com/2009/10/05/tuesday-tutorials-the-halloween-costume-addition/

Thanks!
Emily

[aaryn604]

Hi Seamster - I am attempting to make your Wild Thing head - Me and my grade partners (we are all teachers) are planning on being the Wild things. - I am having trouble with the pillow case - any pointers? I guess the whole half-circle part is throwing me off - plus my pillowcase doesn't fit around my base.

[seamster]

Hi, I edited step three to hopefully explain that part a little better. Good luck!

[mpeeples1]

Hi Seamster, Fabulous Wild Thing Head! My mother-in-law and I are making heads, too. (My son, Max, is going as Max.) But I have to say now WE'RE a little confused. We went out and bought the pillowcases today to follow your instructions but now we see no mention of pillowcases. Yikes! Should we proceed with pillowcases or just use fabric? Thanks, in advance ... I'm afraid we may have a few questions along the way. Best, mpeeples

[seamster]

Ah! I'm sorry. I edited that trying to avoid confusing anyone, and here I am confusing someone. Hmm. I originally said in step 3 that I used an old pillowcase to create the dome shape that makes the upper part of the head. The fact that it was a pillowcase doesn't really matter--it just so happened that the opening to the pillowcase was just the right size to slip over the cardboard base I had created. I decided that it wasn't crucial to state that the fabric I used came from an old pillowcase. ...That's my long-winded way of saying just to use whatever you have that works (scrap fabric, pillowcase, whatever). I edited that step to create instructions that would apply to any size head a person might be making (for an adult, for example). I hope the current instructions get you going in the right direction. Sorry to confuse you!

[bassclarinet23]

I loved that book. Nice costume!

[shwayjack]

Your Instructable is amazing! I'm making one with my best friend and we're having a blast with it. I'll share some pictures of what we have so far. We're no where near done.

[shwayjack]

Here it is!

[seamster]

Very nice so far. Good luck with the rest of it!

[Abs0fsteel]

this was awesome. i made one and now my brother and sister are going to make one, my sister in law is going to make a max costume and were going to go to the premire of the movie all dressed up!

[seamster]

Awesome work. Thank you for posting the picture! This totally made my day. Are your siblings going to make the same Wild Thing that you did, or different ones? And are you going to make the rest of the costumes? Please post some pictures when you're all done!

[seamster]

Did you use the same methods I did for all the construction, or did you have to come up with some of your own? I'm interested to know how you went about it. If you've got a minute, it would be great to hear some of the details. (It looks really good!) Thanks!

[Abs0fsteel]

Thanks. Yeah I basically tried to follow your Instructable as close as possible. My brother and sister are going to try to make different characters from the book and my sister in law just finished her max costume. I will definantly post a group picture when were all done!

[seamster]

Awesome! Can't wait to see the finished group!

[Chard]

looks amazing! what did you use to pad out the top of the head?

also the new movie looks good. loosely based on the book it kind of looks into the kids relationship with his parents etc. check out the trailer http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/wherethewildthingsare/

[jet h]

wow this is really awesome, thanks for the tute, i will make one! I love for years Max and now i can make one of the figures. this i great.

[seamster]

Thanks!

[lrbrenton]

My roomate and I are planning on this awesome duo for halloween this year...I looked into making it and to be totally honest neither one of us are very crafty.....would you consider selling that magnificent head?? : )

[jet h]

Hi i think that you have linked the wrong person, i believe you must askt this question to Seamster. I did not have make that hat, seamster did, but its okay so you can asked him/her . Good luck, bye bye.

[mg0930mg]

Trying to make this for opening night! :)

[omakii]

I think you left out a step: 1: Be a genius. This is AMAZING. The construction is cool and doable and it looks perfect. Thanks for the inspiration!

[seamster]

Ha ha! I appreciate that, but I'm no genius... ....just very persistent! I spend a lot of time considering different ways to do stuff, and then often re-doing things over and over till I get results I'm satisfied with. Thank you though, I'm glad you like it!

[Max California]

You're amazing! Me + my 4month old are going as Max, but my husband can be a Wild Thing now! Thankyous!

[=D]

simply awesome. how long did it take you to make this?

[daltonbelew]

I am in the proccess of making this. Thank you so much for the instructions, i would've been so lost without them!

[díka]

Ummmm, I know exactly what I'm wearing when the movie comes out!

[seamster]

They're making a movie from this book? There was a play I think. That'll be cool.

[díka]

Yes! It's actually going to be a live action film. It looks great so far. Apparently they had to postpone the release date because the final cut was too adult and scared some of the children in their test audience.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386117/

[pokiespout]

That's beautiful! I think it's so important that parents act early to instill within their children a love of monsters... and especially a love of dressing up like monsters! You have done a fantastic job!

[seamster]

(removed by author or community request)

[cowscankill]

Nice use of the term "white elephant" :P Learned that at school... Btw, you look like my gym coach o.o

[seamster]

(removed by author or community request)

[cowscankill]

Oh, a white elephant is I think something that has no function and no one cares for it, but it looks nice, something like that. I thought that is what you meant. Oh, and the gym coach is never really in the gym... He is always doing paper work.

[Skreetsha]

That looks sweet :D

[bobobob1230]

wow, i absolutely love this!
this is embarrassing, but i assumed you were a girl the whole time until the last step and i was like, woa your a dude!

5

[edmars]

yeah. your wife is right LOL

[shetibo]

great job! those are the cutest costume ever!!!

[reginaron]

Hi That's Awesome! :) Great job! I had and read (many, many times) that book in the 70,s. Grade 2-3?