How to Make a Chinese Dancing Lion Costume

Materials Needed:

1. Fabric: Red and gold fabric (or other colors of your choice), felt in contrasting colors, upholstery thread, and faux fur (white, black, or grey).

2. Stuffed Toys or Pillows: For head and body filling.

3. Bamboo: Two short pieces of bamboo for handles.

4. Paint: Acrylic paint for details and accents.

5. Embellishments: Glitter, sequins, and ribbons.

6. Craft Supplies: Scissors, sewing machine (or needle and thread), stuffing tool, hot glue gun, and measuring tape.

Instructions:

1. Make the Lion's Head:

- Create a pattern by drawing the head shape on paper, taking measurements for the jaw, eyes, nose, ears, and mane.

- Cut out the pattern pieces and transfer them to the red and gold fabric. Cut out the pieces.

- Sew the head pieces together, leaving the bottom open.

- Add embellishments like glitter and sequins to the head.

- Stuff the head with pillows or stuffed toys.

2. Make the Body:

- Draw the body pattern and cut out pieces from red fabric.

- Sew the body pieces together, leaving the top and bottom open.

- Attach the head to the body.

3. Add the Mane:

- Cut long strips of faux fur and attach them to the top of the head and along the spine of the lion's body.

4. Make the Lion's Face:

- Cut out the nose and eyes from different colored felt.

- Glue them onto the head, along with a smiling red felt mouth.

- Paint details like whiskers and eyebrows using acrylic paint.

5. Add Handles:

- Attach handles made of bamboo or similar material inside the head. They will be held by the performers.

6. Make the Legs and Feet:

- Cut out four leg shapes from red fabric and sew them together, leaving the top open.

- Stuff the legs and close them.

- Attach the legs to the body.

- Cut out feet shapes from red felt and attach them to the bottom of the legs.

7. Final Touches:

- Add any decorations or embellishments you want, such as ribbons or tassels.

Your Chinese dancing lion costume is now complete! Make sure it fits comfortably and allows freedom of movement for the performers. You can customize it further to your liking and have fun dancing in your very own lion costume.