How To Make Dog Ears Headband – Adorable DIY Guide

Whether it’s for a Halloween costume, a school play, or just a fun afternoon of dress-up, a pair of adorable dog ears can complete any look.

They’re a classic, simple accessory that instantly transforms you into a playful pup. While you can easily find them in stores, there’s a special kind of magic in creating something with your own hands.

Plus, making your own means you can customize the color, shape, and style to be any breed you want, from a floppy-eared Beagle to a pointy-eared German Shepherd.

If you’re new to crafting, the idea of making your own accessories might seem a bit complicated. You might worry about needing special tools, expensive materials, or complex patterns.

The great news is that learning how to make a dog ears headband is one of the easiest and most rewarding DIY projects you can tackle. It’s perfect for beginners, kids, and anyone looking for a quick, creative, and budget-friendly activity.

This ultimate guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

We’ll cover the basic materials, provide printable templates, and give you detailed, step-by-step instructions for two popular styles: a simple no-sew version using felt and a more durable, fluffy version using faux fur.

Get ready to unleash your creativity and craft a pair of dog ears that are uniquely yours.

Getting Started: Materials You’ll Need

Before you jump into making your dog ears, gathering all your supplies will make the process go smoothly.

The best part about this project is that it requires very few materials, most of which are readily available at any craft store or online.

The Foundation: Headbands and Core Materials

The base of your project is, of course, the headband itself, and the material you choose will define the look of your ears.

• Plain Headbands: The most crucial item. Simple plastic or fabric-covered headbands are perfect. Choose a color that matches your hair or the color of the ears you plan to make so it blends in seamlessly. A width of about 1/2 inch is ideal, as it’s sturdy enough to support the ears without being bulky.
• Felt Sheets: This is the best material for beginners and for the no-sew method. It’s affordable, easy to cut, doesn’t fray, and comes in every color imaginable. You’ll need at least two colors: one for the outer ear and one (like pink or a lighter shade of your main color) for the inner ear detail.
• Faux Fur Fabric: For a fluffier, more realistic look, faux fur is a fantastic choice. It can be a little messier to work with than felt, but the end result is incredibly soft and impressive. Look for low-pile faux fur, as it’s less bulky and easier to manage.
• Craft Foam or Cardboard (Optional): For ears that need to stand up straight and pointy, a piece of craft foam or thin cardboard can be used as a stiffener inside the ear.

Essential Tools for Assembly

These are the tools that will bring your project together.

• Hot Glue Gun: This is the hero of no-sew crafting. A hot glue gun with plenty of glue sticks is essential for quickly and securely attaching your ears to the headband. A low-temp glue gun is a safer option if you are crafting with children.
• Fabric Glue: If you don’t have a hot glue gun, a strong fabric glue like Aleene’s Fabric Fusion or Fabri-Tac will also work well. It just requires a longer drying time.
• Sharp Scissors: A good, sharp pair of scissors is a must for getting clean, crisp cuts on your felt or faux fur. If you’re using faux fur, having a smaller, more precise pair of scissors or a craft knife can be helpful.
• Pen or Fabric Marker: For tracing your ear templates onto the fabric.
• Printer and Paper: To print out the ear templates provided below.

Printable Dog Ear Templates

To make this project even easier, you can use a template to get the perfect ear shape every time. Simply print this guide and cut out the shape you like best.

• Floppy Ear Template: Perfect for breeds like Beagles, Basset Hounds, or Cocker Spaniels. This is a long, rounded U-shape.
• Pointy Ear Template: Ideal for German Shepherds, Huskies, or Corgis. This is a classic triangle shape with a slightly curved bottom.
• Rounded Ear Template: Great for Labradors, Golden Retrievers, or Pugs. This is a softer, more rounded triangle shape.

(Imagine a section here with simple, clear outlines of the three ear shapes described above, labeled and ready for a user to conceptually “print and cut.”)

Sizing Your Ears: The templates provided are a good medium size. For a more customized look, you can easily resize them on a photocopier or by adjusting your printer settings. As a general rule, the ears should be about 3-5 inches tall, depending on the style and the size of the wearer’s head.

Method 1: The Super Easy No-Sew Felt Dog Ears

This method is perfect for a quick craft, a party activity, or for anyone just starting out. It requires no sewing and can be completed in under 30 minutes.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s create some classic, floppy dog ears.

Step 1: Cut Out Your Ear Pieces

1. Print and Cut Template: Choose your desired ear shape from the templates (we’ll use the “Floppy Ear” for this example) and cut it out.
2. Trace the Outer Ears: Take your main color of felt (e.g., brown). Fold it in half so you can cut two identical pieces at once. Trace the floppy ear template onto the felt twice. Since you’re making two ears, you’ll need four of these pieces in total (two for the front, two for the back).
3. Cut the Outer Ears: Carefully cut out the four outer ear shapes. You should have four identical brown felt pieces.
4. Trace and Cut the Inner Ears: Now, take your inner ear color (e.g., pink). Trace the same template onto the pink felt. Before you cut, draw a new line about 1/4 inch inside the traced line to create a smaller, inner ear shape. Cut out two of these smaller pink shapes.

Step 2: Assemble the Ears

1. Glue the Inner Ear: Take one of your brown outer ear pieces. Apply a thin line of hot glue or fabric glue to the back of one of the smaller pink inner ear pieces.
2. Attach: Carefully press the pink piece onto the center of the brown piece. Repeat this for the second ear. You now have two completed ear fronts.
3. Create the Full Ear: Take one of the assembled ear fronts and a plain brown backing piece. Place the backing piece down, apply glue around its outer edge, and then press the ear front firmly on top. You now have a complete, double-sided ear. This makes it look neat from all angles. Repeat for the second ear.

Step 3: Attach the Ears to the Headband
This is the final step where it all comes together!

1. Position the Ears: Put the headband on your head (or the head of the person who will wear it) and look in a mirror. Use your fingers to figure out where you want the ears to sit. A good starting point is about 2-3 inches from the center of the headband on either side. Lightly mark the spots with your fabric marker.
2. Prepare the First Ear: Take your first assembled ear. At the bottom edge, pinch the center together slightly and add a dab of hot glue. This will give the ear a bit of dimension and help it curve naturally instead of sticking out flat.
3. Glue to Headband: Apply a generous line of hot glue along the bottom edge of the ear.
4. Press onto Headband: Firmly press the glued edge onto the spot you marked on the headband. Hold it in place for 10-15 seconds until the glue sets.
5. Add a Support Piece (Optional but Recommended): For extra stability, cut a small, 1×2 inch rectangle of felt in the same color as your ears. Apply glue to it and wrap it around the base of the ear and the headband. This creates a strong, clean-looking bond.
6. Repeat for the Second Ear: Follow the same steps to attach the second ear to the other side of the headband.

Let the glue dry completely, and your adorable no-sew dog ears headband is ready to wear!

Method 2: The Fluffy and Realistic Faux Fur Dog Ears

This method takes a little more time but results in a wonderfully soft, fluffy, and more durable pair of ears. We’ll use a sewing machine for this, but it can also be sewn by hand with a simple running stitch.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s make some pointy, German Shepherd-style ears.

Step 1: Cut Out the Faux Fur and Felt
Working with faux fur can be messy. Here’s a pro tip: when you cut it, try to only cut the fabric backing and not the fur itself. You can do this by using a craft knife or by sliding the bottom blade of your scissors along the backing. This will minimize the amount of shedding.

1. Trace and Cut Outer Ears: Take your faux fur fabric. On the back (the fabric side), trace the “Pointy Ear” template twice. Remember to flip the template over for the second ear so you have a left and a right piece. Carefully cut these two shapes out.
2. Trace and Cut Inner Ears: Take a piece of pink or light-colored felt. Trace and cut two inner ear shapes, just like in the felt method (making them slightly smaller than the main ear).
3. Trace and Cut Stiffener (Optional): If you want your ears to stand up very straight, trace the pointy ear template onto a piece of craft foam or thin cardboard and cut out two shapes, making them slightly smaller than the fur pieces so they’ll fit inside.

Step 2: Sew the Ears

1. Attach Inner Ear: Lay your two faux fur ear pieces flat with the fur side facing up. Glue or sew the felt inner ear pieces onto the center of each fur piece.
2. Prepare to Sew: Place the two faux fur pieces right-sides (fur-sides) together. If you are using a stiffener, place it on top of the fabric backing of one of the pieces.
3. Pin and Sew: Pin the pieces together along the two long sides of the triangle, leaving the flat bottom edge open for turning.
4. Stitch: Using a sewing machine or a needle and thread, sew along the pinned sides with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Remember to backstitch at the beginning and end.

Step 3: Turn and Finish the Ears

1. Trim Seams and Point: Trim the excess fabric in the seam allowance and clip the tip of the point, being careful not to cut your stitches.
2. Turn Right-Side Out: Carefully turn the ear right-side out through the open bottom. The fur that was caught in the seam will be tucked in. Use a pin or a needle to gently pull the trapped fur out of the seam line for a fluffier, more seamless look.
3. Tuck and Glue Bottom Edge: At the open bottom edge of the ear, fold the raw edges inward by about 1/4 inch and secure them with a line of hot glue. This creates a clean, finished base.

Step 4: Attach the Ears to the Headband
This process is the same as the felt method.

1. Position the Ears: Determine the placement on the headband using a mirror and mark the spots.
2. Glue to Headband: Apply a generous line of hot glue to the finished bottom edge of the faux fur ear.
3. Press and Hold: Press the ear firmly onto the marked spot on the headband and hold until the glue sets.
4. Add Support: Wrap a small strip of felt or extra faux fur around the base for extra security and a polished finish.
5. Repeat: Attach the second ear and let everything dry completely.

Conclusion: Wear Your Creation with Pride!

Congratulations! You’ve just learned how to make a dog ears headband from scratch. Whether you opted for the quick and easy felt version or the fluffy faux fur style, you’ve created a unique, handmade accessory that’s full of charm and personality.

You’ve seen how simple materials can be transformed into something special with just a little time and creativity.

Don’t let your crafting adventure stop here. Now that you have the basic technique down, you can experiment with different shapes, colors, and embellishments.

Try making spotted Dalmatian ears, long, elegant Saluki ears, or even add some glitter for a touch of fantasy. This project is a wonderful way to express yourself and have fun with fashion.

So go ahead and wear your new ears with pride! Rock them at your next costume party, give them as a thoughtful handmade gift, or simply enjoy the fun of a playful dress-up day. You’ve not only made an adorable accessory, but you’ve also gained a new skill and experienced the joy of DIY. Happy crafting