Calling all dragon lovers! These easy no sew dragon wings will transform any How to Train You Dragon fan into their favorite dragon. This easy dragon costume is perfect for a How to Train Your Dragon party, a no sew Halloween costume, school book character day, or even a rainy afternoon craft.
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The How to Train Your Dragon films (How to Train Your Dragon, How to Train Your Dragon 2, and How to Train Your Dragon 3: The Hidden World) are blockbuster children’s movies based on the children’s book series by Cressida Cowell.
We’re fans of the movies and all the How to Train Your Dragon series available on Netflix (The How to Train Your Dragon Legends, DreamWorks Dragons: Dawn of the Dragon Racers, and DreamWorks Dragons: Race to the Edge.)
Easy No Sew Dragon Costumes
I first created these adorable no sew How to Train Your Dragon baseball hats so my kiddos could dress up like their favorite dragons….
and then decided that they needed simple dragon wings to truly transform into a Night Fury, Deadly Nadder or Monstrous Nightmare!
No Sew Dragon Wings
The no sew project could not be easier; just measure, trace, and cut. In just 10 minutes you will have dragons taking flight all over your house!
Dragon Wing Supplies
These easy no sew wings can be made from any fabric that will not unravel. I like to use fleece or craft felt for several reasons:
- Both fleece and felt are affordable fabrics.
- Both fleece and felt are easy to cut and do no fray so no sewing is needed.
Making Dragon Wings with Fleece
I’ve used fleece to make easy wizard robes, no sew butterfly wings, and even a lady bug dress with great results. I love using fleece becuase it can be machine washed, perfect for kids who love to wear costumes over and over.
Making Dragon Wings with Felt
Craft felt is my choice for costume accessories such as dragon hats and bows. It holds its shape well and is easy to shape. Unfortunately, felt does not machine wash well.
The verdict: Choose fleece if you want to be able to wash your wings. Use felt if you want stiffer wings that do not need to be laundered.
- ¾ – 1 yard of fleece fabric, 60 inches wide
- Chalk or washable fabric maker
- Scissors
- Salad plate (approx. 7 inches in diameter)
- Yardstick or tape measure
How to Make Dragon Wings
1. Measure the wingspan of the wing wearer from backbone to fingertip, add two inches.
2. Measure the back length of your wing wearer from collar to waistband.
3. Fold your fleece in half.
4. Measure and mark the wingspan horizontally on your fabric with chalk.
5. Measure and mark the back length vertically on your fabric with chalk.
6. Trim fleece to size. DO NOT cut fold.
7. Using the salad plate as your guide, trace a dragon wing shape on your fleece.
8. Cut out your wings. Mark two horizontal armholes approximately 8 and 12 inches from the center of the wing. These should be about 2 inches from the top of the wing. Mark a finger hole about 1 inch from the edge of the wingtip.
9. Cut armholes and finger holes through both layers of the wings.
10. Your wings are complete!
How to Wear Dragon Wings
1. Place each arm through one armhole and back through the other.
2. Place each pointer finger through each fingertip hole.
3. Enjoy your wings!
Dragon Wing Tips
- Make dragon wings without armholes: Glue or stitch a large safety pin onto the center top of the wings. (Use to pin the wings in place on a tshirt.) Then glue or stitch loops of elastic or ribbon where the finger holes should be cut to use as handholds. (See photos in my no sew butterfly wing tutorial.)
- Choose differnt colors and textures of fleece to make different kinds of dragons.
More No Sew Costumes
Check out my easy no sew butterfly wings and How to Train Your Dragon hats!
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Jason
You.
Are.
A.
LIFESAVER!
My 4 y.o. daughter has her heart set on being a dragon for Halloween this year, and I being a single dad with no sewing skills have been at a total loss as to what to do. These wings are SO clever (the engineer in me appreciates this!) and SO easy (the single dad in me appreciates this!) to make. My daughter absolutely LOVED them! I think I’ll need another pair, though… her older brother is really jealous. 😉
Bren
Woo hooo, Dad for the win! I’m glad the wings were a hit! (And I’m sorry you have to make another pair…. well, only kind of sorry… you’ll get a lot of entertainment out of all the dragons zooming around!)
Sue
This is incredible! One week before Halloween and two grandchildren want wings to be a Jobberwocky! These were cheap ( I used fleece) and so easy to do! Thank you for sharing!
Bren
Thanks Sue! Jobberwocky…. so cute!!!!
Aimee
Just found out my daughter needs a dragon costume for a video skit at school TOMORROW so I whipped this up out of an old felt tunic (from a previous costume). Super easy and looks good. Thank you!
Bren
Mom for the win! I hope the wings worked great!
Nikki
Thank you so much! This took took 10 minutes to do (or less!) and my son says “its so comfy!”. Looks awesome and I am NOT a crafter, so this says a lot.
Bren
Woo hoo! Glad the wings were a success!
Jane Adams
Hello and thank you! I just finished making this for my Son, he absolutely loves it! Simple and perfect.
Bren
Thanks Jane!
Liberty
Thanks! I’m one of those weird people who stress out about their costume a month before Halloween, I wanted to be a flightmare because of their direct association with the httyd holiday “Dreadfall” and since I had nothing to off of (because no one has dressed up as a flightmare and posted it on the internet) this was great! I might have to glue on some blue swirls to make it more realistic, but this was fantastic! Thanks a bunch!
Bren
I’m so glad the tutorial was helpful, Liberty!
Ang
Just used your pattern for a school dress up day costume for my 10 year old daughter. She’s delighted with her wings. Thank you for the pattern.
Bren
Ang, I’m glad to be helpful! My kids love the wings too.
katie
THANK YOU !!!! big big thank you absolute life saver , 3 days i have been trying to make some wings for my daughters book day , its now tomorrow and this has completely saved the day !!!! thank you thank you thank you
Bren
Woo, hoo! Glad the craft saved you! Hope your daughter enjoyed the wings.
SarahG
Thanks! I had a last minute Dragon wing issue (my store bought ones broke, no one sells them anymore) 2 days before Halloween. Your tutorial really helped, made a custom pair that I will be sewing/tacking onto a shirt and then making small loops for my fingers from elastic so that they fit over my DIY Dragon claw gloves. 🙂
Bren
I’m glad the tutorial helped, Sarah! Have a great Halloween!
Jennifer
If making for an adult, would more fabric be needed?
Bren
Yes, you should probably double the fabric.