Dog Pumpkin Costume: No-Sew DIY

Written by

Shell & Katy

Pet Photographers & Dog Lifestyle Writers

Updated 20 September 20266 min read

About Shell & Katy

Shell & Katy are two style-savvy dog mums celebrating the best in pet-friendly living. A pet photographer and dog lifestyle writer, together they share trending pet products, recipes, inspiration and expert tips with discerning dog lovers around the world.

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A dog pumpkin costume is the sweetest way to bring your pup into the Halloween fun, and this one needs no sewing machine at all. It pairs a jack-o'-lantern mask with a matching no-sew dog bandana that slides straight onto the collar, so it takes seconds to put on and even less to take off. Choose the quick iron-on design or the layered felt version, print the free template in your dog's size, and your gourd-geous pup will be ready for photos in an afternoon.

Looking beyond the pumpkin patch? These easy DIY dog Halloween costumes are all no-sew too, and these ready-made dog Halloween costumes are there if crafting time runs short.

How to Make a Pumpkin Costume for Your Dog

To make a no-sew pumpkin costume for a dog, print a pumpkin mask and bandana template, transfer it onto felt with iron-on paper or cut the shapes from colored felt, then bond everything with fabric glue and hemming tape. The bandana wraps around your dog's collar and seals with hemming tape, and ribbon ties hold the mask in place for photos.

Choose Your Design

The iron-on dog pumpkin costume is the fastest option. You print the full-color pumpkin design onto transfer paper and press it onto light felt, so there is very little cutting. The felt set takes a little longer, but the layered orange, mustard, green and brown pieces give it a soft, handmade look. Either way, the bandana works on its own for dogs who dislike masks, much like these Halloween dog bandanas.

Free Printable Pumpkin Templates

Download the template that suits your design and your dog:

• Felt pumpkin mask and bandana set, small
• Felt pumpkin mask and bandana set, medium
• Felt pumpkin mask and bandana set, large
• Iron-on transfer pumpkin mask and bandana set

Print on A4 or US letter paper for small dogs, and on A3 or tabloid paper for medium to large dogs. Test print on plain paper first.

Design 1: Easy Iron-On Pumpkin Costume for Dogs

Supplies for the Iron-On Set

• Iron-on pumpkin mask and bandana template
• Iron-on transfer paper
• 2 sheets of light-colored felt, A4 or US letter size
• Orange or black ribbon
• Hemming tape
• Ruler, scissors and a fabric marker
• Iron and your dog's collar

Transfer the Pumpkin Design

1. Print the iron-on template in color onto the transfer paper.
2. Cut out the mask and bandana designs, trimming away as much white border as possible.
3. Lay the mask print on one sheet of felt and cut a rectangle around it. Set aside.
4. On the second sheet, draw a rectangle across the full width of the felt, about four times the width of your dog's collar. A 1 inch (2.5 cm) collar needs a 4 inch (10 cm) band.
5. Mark the center of the bottom edge, then rule a line from each lower corner of the rectangle down to that point to form the bandana triangle. Cut it out.
6. Place the transfers on the felt and iron them on, following the instructions for your transfer paper. Test the heat on an offcut first, since some felts are sensitive to a hot iron.

Assemble the Pumpkin Mask

1. Cut out the mask and its eye holes.
2. Cut two 12 inch (30 cm) lengths of ribbon, a little longer for bigger dogs.
3. Turn the mask over and attach one ribbon to each side with hemming tape.

Attach the Pumpkin Bandana to the Collar

1. With the bandana facing up, apply a strip of hemming tape along the top edge of the rectangle band.
2. Turn the bandana over and lay the collar on top, leaving enough fabric to fold over it once.
3. Fold the felt over the collar, peel off the tape backing and fold again to seal.
4. For extra hold, add a second strip of hemming tape on top of the fold and fold over once more.
5. Slide the collar out and trim any excess felt for a neat finish.

Design 2: Felt Pumpkin Mask and Bandana Set

Supplies for the Felt Set

• Felt pumpkin template in small, medium or large, printed on 2 sheets of paper
• 4 sheets of felt in fall colors: orange, mustard, green and brown
• Fabric glue and hemming tape
• Orange or black ribbon
• Ruler, scissors and a black fabric marker
• Your dog's collar

Make the Felt Pumpkin Mask

1. Cut out every template shape and lay each one on the matching felt color. Cut a loose rectangle around each, leaving about 1.25 inches (3 cm) spare above the mask for the pumpkin stem.
2. Trace around each shape with the marker, then cut it out. Cut outside the black line to keep a visible outline, or inside it for a cleaner look.
3. Glue the round center piece onto the mask, then the stem and leaf. The extra felt at the top thickens the stem so it stands upright instead of flopping.
4. Trim around the mask, cut out the eyes and tidy any outlines.
5. Attach two 12 inch (30 cm) ribbons to the back with hemming tape.

Make the Felt Pumpkin Bandana

1. Cut the bandana shape from orange felt using the same collar-width rectangle and triangle method as Design 1.
2. Trace the pumpkin face shapes onto brown felt, or your preferred color, and cut them out.
3. Arrange the face on the bandana, fix it with fabric glue and let it dry for about 10 minutes.
4. Attach the bandana to the collar with hemming tape, folding and sealing it exactly as in Design 1, then trim the excess.

Sizing a Pumpkin Costume for Small and Large Dogs

Small Dog Pumpkin Costume and Puppy Sizing

For toy breeds and puppies, print the small template on A4 or US letter paper. The mask should sit between the ears with the eye holes lined up, and short ribbons keep nothing dangling near busy paws.

Pumpkin Costumes for Large Dogs

Print the large template on A3 or tabloid paper, cut the bandana band from the widest felt you have so it wraps a broad collar, and use longer ribbon ties for the mask.

Helping Your Dog Wear a Pumpkin Mask Comfortably

A mask is a bigger ask than a bandana, so keep it for a few quick photos, tie the ribbons loosely enough to slip two fingers underneath, and make sure the eye holes never block your dog's vision. Take it off at once if your dog paws at it, freezes, licks their lips or turns away. For walks and trick-or-treating, the bandana alone is the comfortable choice. Never leave your dog alone in a costume, and read these Halloween safety tips for dogs before the big night.

Store-Bought Pumpkin Costumes for Dogs

A ready-made dog pumpkin costume is an easy swap when time is short. Look for soft fabric, hook-and-loop fastenings at the chest and belly, and a hat with an adjustable chin strap. Some styles create the playful illusion of a dog carrying a pumpkin. Measure neck, chest and back length before ordering, and size up if your dog falls between sizes.

Once the photos are done, celebrate with these no-bake pumpkin dog treats, and if a new pup is joining the family this fall, these Halloween dog names are full of spooky inspiration. Happy Halloween!