How to Make Wolf Ears

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Wolves are a popular costume, and one of the most important aspects of a good wolf costume is a good set of ears. You can't just use any set of pointy, furry ears, or you may end up looking like a cat or fox! With the right technique, however, you can create a neat pair of wolf ears to complete any wolf costume.

Part 1
Part 1 of 4:

Cutting the Fur

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    Regardless of whether you are making realistic wolf ears or cartoon wolf ears, you need to have some reference pictures. Decide what sort of wolf you want to be, such as gray or arctic, then look up pictures of that wolf.
    • Use real-life pictures if you want to make realistic ears. Use cartoon pictures if you want to make cartoon ears.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Wolf Ears
    Draw 1 right triangle on a sheet of cardstock; make it about the size of your hand, or whatever size you want your ears to be. Cut it out with scissors, then use it to trace a second right triangle. Cut the second right triangle out too.
    • A right triangle has 1 horizontal bottom edge, 1 vertical side edge, and 1 diagonal side edge.
    • The diagonal edges will be the outside edges of the ears. The vertical edges will be the inside edges of the ears.
    • Don't make the corners too sharp and pointy. Make them slightly rounded for a softer, more natural appearance.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Wolf Ears
    Set a piece of fur fabric furry-side-down on a flat surface, then place the templates on top. Make sure that the fur is running towards the pointed tips of the triangles, then trace around the templates with a chalk or pen. [1]
    • Use a pen for light fabrics and chalk for dark.
    • Be careful of how you set the templates down. You want a left ear and a right ear.
    • Your wolf ears can be any color you want. Gray will look the most real, though.
    • Faux fur runs in 1 direction only. Most patterns require the fur to run from top to bottom, but for this, you need it to run from bottom to top.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Wolf Ears
    Flip a piece of white fur over so that the furry side is facing down. Rotate the fabric so that the fur is pointing upwards. Set the templates down, and trace around them with a pen. [2]
    • You are making these triangles in addition to the ones that you have already made. In total, you should have 4 triangles, 2 of each color.
    • These triangles will be for the inside of your wolf ears. White is the most common, but you can use a different color too.
    • If you want to use a different color, consider a lighter shade than the outside of the ears. For example, if your ears are gray, you could do light gray for the inside.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Wolf Ears
    Keep the fur furry-side-down. Run a shape box cuter, craft blade, or utility knife across the fabric backing, using the lines you traced as a guide. Be careful to only cut through the fabric and not the actual fur.
    • You can use scissors too, but you will have to slide the lower blade through the fur.
    • Don't cut straight through the fur, or it will end up too short.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 4:

Sewing the Ears

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Wolf Ears
    Shave the gray fur with trimmers for a more realistic look. Wolves have furry ears, but the fur is short. If you used fur that is more than 1 ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) long, you should trim it. Get out a pair of trimmers, and add a 1 ⁄ 4 or 1 ⁄ 2  in (0.64 or 1.27 cm) guard. Shave the fur using upward strokes, working from the bottom of the triangle to the top. [3]
    • Don't shave all of the fur off! You want it to be about 1 ⁄ 4 to 1 ⁄ 2 inch (0.64 to 1.27 cm) long.
    • You don't have to do this step at all, but it will make a huge difference!
    • Comb the ears afterwards with a pet brush or a pet comb to remove any excess fuzz.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Wolf Ears
    You can leave the white fur long and fluffy, or you can shave just the outer portions of the ear. For example, you can shave most of the fur off, but leave the fur longer along the vertical edge. [4]
    • Use the same trimmer and set of guards as you did for the gray fur. You can leave the fur a little longer here too.
    • Remember to comb the fur afterwards to remove any fluff.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Wolf Ears
    Set the gray fur pieces on a flat surface with the furry side facing up. Place the matching white fur pieces on top, with the furry side facing down. Pin the pieces together along the vertical and diagonal edges; leave the bottom horizontal edge unpinned.
    • Don't let any fur stick out from under the fabric when you pin it together. Brush the fur towards the middle of the ears.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Wolf Ears
    There are lots of ways that you can do this. You can do it by hand using a whipstitch , or you can do it on a sewing machine . If you choose to use a sewing machine, use a 1 ⁄ 4 to 1 ⁄ 2  in (0.64 to 1.27 cm) seam allowance and a straight stitch. You can also sew along the edges with a zigzag stitch instead. [5]
    • The thread color does not really matter, but it would be best if it matches the white or gray fur.
    • If you are using a sewing machine, backstitch when you start and finish sewing.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Wolf Ears
    Turn the ears right-side-out through the gap in the bottom edge. If you need to, use something blunt and pointy, like a knitting needle, to push the top of the triangle out.
    • Don't press the ears flat with an iron. The heat may melt the fibers!
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make Wolf Ears
    Sometimes, long fur gets caught in the stitching when you sew it. To loosen it, find a skinny knitting needle or skewer, and run it along the seams. Use the point to pull any loops of fur caught in the stitching.
    • You can also shave the edges of the ears to make them more even. Use your trimmers with a 1 ⁄ 4 to 1 ⁄ 2  in (0.64 to 1.27 cm) guard.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 4:

Adding the Foam and Wire

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Wolf Ears
    Place the right triangle templates onto a sheet of craft foam. Trace around them with a marker, then put them away. Cut the traced triangles out of the craft foam with scissors. [6]
    • You will be putting these inside your wolf ears, so the color does not matter. White will work the best, though, so that it doesn't show through the white fur.
    • If you sewed your ears on the sewing machine, you might want to make these a little smaller to allow for the 1 ⁄ 4 to 1 ⁄ 2  in (0.64 to 1.27 cm) seam allowances.
    • Make the triangles the same size as the ears. It is easier to trim them smaller later on. If you cut them smaller now, you may accidentally make them too small.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Wolf Ears
    Get some 16- to 18-guage floral wire, then cut it to the same length as the bottom, horizontal edge of each craft foam piece. Hot glue the wires to the craft foam, about 1 ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) from the bottom edge. [7]
    • You can use thinner wire if you want, but it is too thin, it may not hold its shape well due to the weight of the ears.
    • Use wire cutters to cut the wire. Don't use scissors.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Wolf Ears
    Take 1 of the foam pieces, and turn it so that the wire is facing you. Coat the front with hot glue, then slide it into the matching ear. Gently press down on the fur to seal it against the glue, then repeat the process for the other ear. [8]
    • It would be best if the wire is on the same side as the white fur, but it's okay if it isn't.
    • Depending on your seam allowances, you may have some foam sticking out of the bottom of each ear. This is okay; you'll trim it off later.
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    Flip the ears over, then slide your fingers into the pocket created by the foam and the fur. Slide your hot glue gun into the ear and draw a squiggle of hot glue along the foam. Slide the hot glue gun out, then press the fur down.
    • Repeat this step for the other ear.
    • Leave the bottom edge un-glued. This will make it easier to attach the ears later on.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Wolf Ears
    Chances are, there is some foam sticking out from under your furry ears. Cut across the bottom edge of your ears to get rid of any excess foam. Make it as neat and smooth as you can. [9]
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Part 4
Part 4 of 4:

Finishing the Ears

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Wolf Ears
    Take your first ear, and sew 1 inch (2.5 cm) along the bottom edge, starting at the left corner. Knot and cut the thread, then sew another 1 inch (2.5 cm) along the bottom edge, this time starting at the right corner. Knot and cut the thread. [10]
    • Do this step for the second ear too.
    • You need to leave gaps in the middle so that you can insert the headband into them.
    • If you wish to secure the ears to hair clips, sew along the entire bottom edge, from left corner to right corner.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Wolf Ears
    Thanks to the wire you added, your ears are flexible. Take the corner of your left ear that's on the same side as the vertical edge, and bend it slightly towards the middle of the ear. Repeat the process with the other ear. [11]
    • You can bend the corners connected to the diagonal edge too, if you want to.
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    Take your left ear and place it on the left side off a thin, metal headband. Position the ear how you want it, then pull the ear down until the gap covers the headband. Pin the gray and white fur together under the headband with a sewing pin. [12]
    • Repeat this step for the other ear too.
    • The gap allows you to pull the gray and white fur around the sides of the headband.
    • If you are using hair clips, simply sew a hair clip to the bottom edge of each ear.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Wolf Ears
    Slide the ears around on the headband until you like how they look. Working 1 ear at a time, remove the sewing pin, then hot glue the gap shut around the headband.
    • Skip this step if you sewed the ears to hair clips.
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    You don't have to do this, but it can give your ears more depth and make them look more life-like. Choose a paint that's a few shades darker than your gray fur, then air brush it onto the edges of the ears. Extend the color down the tip of the ear and onto the back. [13]
    • Add some light gray paint to the inside if each ear. Make it go down to the middle, just to the side of the longer fur.
    • Let the paint dry, then comb the fur out with a pet brush or pet comb. This will help break up any chunks of paint.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Can I use normal headbands instead of metal wire?
    ShibeWolfDIY
    Community Answer
    Yes, just use one that doesn't have any designs on it, as that will improve the look. For example, I made cat ears using a tan-colored headband, and nobody can see a thing! It looks as if I just have ears.
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    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 26
  • Question
    How do I make a wolf tail?
    Community Answer
    Try making it out of many strands of dark (gray, black, brown, etc.) wool. Tie these together at one end and add a paperclip for attachment to your belt or clothes. Making one from papier mâche might also work, or stuffing a stocking with newspaper.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    Can I use anything other than a headband? Like a hair clip?
    Community Answer
    Yes! Those binder claw hair clips can work pretty well to attach ears to the hair, but be warned that it can be extremely difficult to get the ears to stay on the clips without a lot of work.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

      • A sewing machine will get the job done faster, but it is actually easier to hand-sew the fur fabric.
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      • You can find fur fabric online and in fabric stores. Some craft stores may also sell swatches of fur.
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      • The ears can be any size you want, but something about the size of your hands would work the best.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Medium to long gray faux fur
      • Long white faux fur
      • Craft foam
      • Thread
      • Needle
      • Pet brush, pet comb, or fine-toothed comb
      • Sewing machine (optional)
      • Box cutter, craft blade, or utility knife
      • Scissors
      • 16- to 18-gauge floral wire
      • Wire cutters
      • Hot glue
      • Thin, metal headband or hair clips
      • Air brush (optional)
      • Acrylic paint (optional)

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYN3iBuip7U
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYN3iBuip7U&feature=youtu.be&t=30s
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYN3iBuip7U&feature=youtu.be&t=50s
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYN3iBuip7U&feature=youtu.be&t=1m10s
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYN3iBuip7U&feature=youtu.be&t=2m55s
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYN3iBuip7U&feature=youtu.be&t=2m4s
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYN3iBuip7U&feature=youtu.be&t=2m20s
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYN3iBuip7U&feature=youtu.be&t=4m
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYN3iBuip7U&feature=youtu.be&t=5m
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYN3iBuip7U&feature=youtu.be&t=5m10s
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYN3iBuip7U&feature=youtu.be&t=6m35s
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYN3iBuip7U&feature=youtu.be&t=6m50s
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYN3iBuip7U&feature=youtu.be&t=8m50s

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      You can make your own wolf ears for dressing up right at home. All you’ll need is dark faux fur, white faux fur, craft foam, cardstock, a headband, a hot glue gun, a sewing kit, and wire. To get started, you'll need to cut out 2 triangles of dark fur and 2 triangles of white fur and sew the white triangles to the dark triangles. Leave one of the edges open so you can slide something into each ear. Then, cut 2 triangles out of the craft foam, hot glue some wire around the edges so the ears don't flop over, and slide them into the ears. Finally, sew the ears shut and hot glue them onto your headband. For more tips, including how to make your wolf ears more detailed with an airbrush, read on!

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