DIY Jessie and Slinky Dog Halloween Costumes — Simple No-Sew Ideas

I did it — my first semi-DIY Halloween costumes, and they turned out great. It wasn’t nearly as hard as I expected, and I didn’t sew a single stitch. The result: a Jessie costume for Clara and a Slinky Dog costume for Burger, both made from affordable finds and a few basic craft supplies.

Clara wanted to be Jessie (the cowgirl from Toy Story) and Burger became Slinky Dog. Most of the supplies for Clara’s outfit were easy to source: a cowgirl hat from a pop-up Halloween shop, red yarn and white duct tape, and flared jeans and boots from Old Navy.

The first project was Jessie’s signature braid. I braided long strands of red yarn and attached them to the hat using white duct tape. From the inside it looks a bit messy, but once Clara puts the hat on the construction is completely hidden. The braid also helps the slightly-too-large hat sit better on her head.

I found cowgirl-style boots on sale, which will double as winter footwear beyond Halloween. I also picked up a white button-down from the boys’ section so it will get plenty of use after the holiday. For the cow-print look on the jeans I used removable white duct tape cut into spot shapes. That way the tape comes off and the jeans, shirt, and boots can be worn normally until Clara outgrows them.

Burger’s Slinky Dog costume was even simpler. I bought a quarter yard of brown felt, cut a strip to wrap under his belly, and fastened it with Velcro. For the slinky body I used two yards of silver trim (the beaded or fringe trim sold by the yard). Instead of sewing, I attached the trim to the felt sleeve with safety pins placed on the outside so they don’t touch Burger’s skin. I considered stitching it later, but since Burger dislikes costumes and tries to wriggle out of them quickly, pinning was the most practical solution.

My favorite small detail is the gold fringe I added to the hem of Clara’s flared jeans. She absolutely loves it — she squeals about how they “shake” — and the trim cost only about a dollar. I attached it with safety pins so it can be removed later, but she might keep it on because she gets such a kick out of it.

Here’s a shot of Clara’s Jessie braid from the back. That long yarn braid is so cute — I can’t wait until she has enough real hair for me to braid for her someday.

I also made a simple belt using woven trim and a clear plastic fillable pin. I filled the pin with yellow paper and a star cut from leftover brown felt, then used its built-in safety pin to fasten the trim into a belt. It was an inexpensive and removable accessory that pulled the whole look together.

Clara’s favorite Jessie move so far is sliding across the floor in her boots, occasionally “accidentally” bumping Woody if he’s nearby. She’s having a blast and that’s what matters most.

DIY costume tips from this project:

• Look for versatile pieces you can rewear after Halloween, like jeans, boots, and button-down shirts.
• Use removable materials — duct tape cut into shapes, safety pins, and Velcro — so costumes stay temporary and garments can be reused.
• Shop clearance or craft-store sales for trims and felt; you can get big visual impact for very little money.
• Keep comfort in mind. If a child or pet dislikes elaborate fastenings, use simple removable solutions so the costume can be taken off quickly.

Whether you’re planning a full DIY costume or just a few homemade touches, simple, removable solutions make creating memorable outfits affordable and stress-free. Happy Halloween — I’d love to hear what costumes you and your kids are making this year!