A Simple Way to Make a Barney Costume

Ever since the first episode of Barney and Friends hit the scene in 1992, the huge, purple dinosaur has been a beloved friend to kids everywhere. Ten years on PBS has broadened Barney’s audience and many kids enjoy dressing up like the favorite dinosaur. You can find a simple way to make a Barney costume that involves using a common sweat suit, a few items for the craft store and a little imagination.

Measure the length from your chest to just below your waist, as well as the width of your stomach.

Cut the dark green felt fabric in the shape of an oval, to meet the measurements.

Lay the sweatshirt on a flat surface. Glue the felt in the center of the top, beginning just below the neckline and ending at the bottom of the sweatshirt. You will have a few inches of fabric remaining at the bottom.

Use the remaining fabric to cut out six triangles of various sizes.

Fold the purple felt in half lengthwise. Cut it in the shape of a dinosaur tail. Make one end wide and taper it down as you move toward the other end.

Open the tail and place the bendable wire on one side of the fabric. Place the cotton batting along the length of one side. Close the fabric and use fabric pins to hold the two sides together. Sew the tail together with the needle and thread.

Glue the green triangles to the tail on alternating sides until you reach the end of the tail. Space them one of two inches apart.