How to Make a Raccoon Tail for Costume

- Faux fur fabric (in your desired raccoon tail color)

- Fabric scissors

- Sewing machine or hand-sewing needle and thread

- Stuffing (such as polyester fiberfill)

- 2 pipe cleaners

- 1/4-inch elastic

- Safety pin

Instructions:

1. Cut out the tail pieces.

You will need to cut out 2 tail pieces from the faux fur fabric. Each piece should be about 12 inches long and 6 inches wide.

2. Sew the tail pieces together.

With right sides together, sew the 2 tail pieces together along the long edge, using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Leave the short end open.

3. Trim the seam allowances.

Trim the seam allowances down to 1/4 inch.

4. Turn the tail right side out.

Carefully turn the tail right side out, using a point turner or other blunt object to help push out the corners.

5. Stuff the tail.

Stuff the tail with polyester fiberfill until it is firm.

6. Insert the pipe cleaners.

Insert the 2 pipe cleaners into the tail, about 1 inch from the top. Bend the pipe cleaners down so that they form a "U" shape.

7. Sew the tail closed.

Sew the open end of the tail closed, using a ladder stitch.

8. Attach the elastic.

Cut a piece of elastic about 12 inches long. Fold the elastic in half and sew it to the top of the tail, using a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

9. Add a safety pin.

Attach a safety pin to the top of the tail, so that you can easily pin it to your costume.

Your raccoon tail is now complete!