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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Molly T
Score! I used this to create a Leafwing Dragon costume for “Dress as your favorite book character” day at school. I cut the wings into leaf shapes and then hot glued sticks on the inner side to make a leaf effect. It turned out great! Thank you!
Samantha
Thank you sooooo much for this pattern I loved it and since i have been looking for a free httyd sewing plush or costume for ever I feally love how you gave this diy away to people who need it.
Brittany Wilkerson
This is exactly what I needed, THANK YOU!!
Bren
I’m so glad the pattern was helpful, Brittany.
Jamie
These were super easy and my girls LOVED them!!! Thank you so much for sharing!!
Bren
Thanks, Jamie! I’m glad they were a hit with your kids!
Jen B.
My daughter just turned 7 and since we are still in a pandemic, I wanted to plan a socially distanced party. She asked for a unicorn & dragon themed party and I found your tutorial, which I thought would be great for the dragon part! I cut standard sized pieces of felt and made the arm holes in advance then traced the circular parts with marker for the kids to cut out themselves. I included adhesive gems and glitter foam for them to decorate. I made up “party packs” with craft supplies, cupcakes, and favors and we dropped them off at the kids’ houses the day before. They gathered on Zoom and did the craft and I read them a story as well, then we switched to another Zoom for dancing hosted by my daughter’s dance studio. It was a great success and I wanted to thank you for the inspiration! It was a perfect fun and easy craft! 😄
Bren
What a great idea, Jen! I’m so happy the craft tutorial helped!
Heidi Eberle
Ridiculously easy!
We are planning a dragon party for my daughter who will be 4 years old. She picked out 4 colors of fleece, and each yard was wide enough to make 3 wings, so now we have 12 dragon wings for her AND her friends to enjoy at the party. I completed all 12 wings in the time it took her to watch 2 episodes of Rescue Riders. (Sensing a theme?). Since the party is still a month away, we may embellish her wings so she stands out as the birthday girl.
For my 4-year-old, who is 39 inches tall, I probably didn’t need a full yard of fleece, but now I have some scraps for another project.
Bren
What a fun party! I am glad the wing tutorial helped!
Anat
Thank you so much I’ve just made two pairs for kids stuck inside on a rainy day and they are busy ‘flying’ .
Bren
Woo hooo! What a fun afternoon!
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.
Shelly
I would love to see a front view of these with arms out. What a great idea!
Sarah
Thank you! Needed wings to cover my daughters arms arms – these are going to be perfect! Appreciate you sharing your creativity!
Bren
I’m glad the wings helped, Sarah!
Meredith
Just made these for my 4 year-old boy for his Halloween costume. They look amazing! And they were so easy, which is good, because I’ve got 4 boys worth of costumes to make this year. Whew!
Bren
I’m so glad the pattern was helpful! Have a great Halloween!
Michelle
I just made these for my son for a school event (he’s a dragon from a different series). This project is a *life-saver*!!! I was pulling my hair out coming up with a no-sew, affordable solution. THANK YOU so much for the great idea!
Bren
Thanks, Michelle! I am so glad the wings worked for you. I think they make great dragons, bats and even pterodactyls in a pinch!
Karen Knight
Absolute genius!!!! Thank you so much for sharing this incredible idea!! My daughter is going to be so thrilled with these!!
Bren
Thanks, Karen. Hope she loves the wings!
Debbie Reaves
Super Cute!
Bren
Thanks, Debbie!
Anna
How long approximately does it take to make these? Also, is it possible to substitute the fleece for cotton or cheaper fabric? Thanks!
Bren
It takes about 5 minutes to make a pair. You can use any fabric that does not fray, fleece makes the wings stand up more solidly than a fabric such as cotton jersey. Felt would work well too and may be cheaper.
Carly Paul
Thank you so much for these. They were so easy and have worked great even if you don’t have a toddler by just adjusting the measurements as needed.
Bren
Thanks Carly!
Elspeth
I found out today that Evie needs a dragon costume for school in two weeks. So I’m on Pinterest and look what popped up!!!
You are so smart and talented!!!! Thanks for the ideas and directions!
Bren
I’m so glad you like the tutorial, EJ! I hope the wings turn out amazing. You can add some matching leggings and a t-shirt for an easy whole body costume!
Christine | Where The Smiles Have Been
This looks so darn fun! We haven’t seen the movie yet, but I know my son would still be all about these…..he’s two and LOVES wearing capes! Love that it’s no-sew too since I don’t have any of those skills. 😉 Thanks so much for sharing this with us at Merry Monday! We hope you’ll join us again starting tonight! 🙂
Bren
Thanks Christine! I am sure these would be very popular with a 2 year old! Plus the leave the neck free (my kids sometime hated how capes pulled). Thanks for stopping by!
Hil
Stopping in from Merry Mondays – cool idea!! Toothless is my favourite dragon and these would be adorable to make for my toddler crew.
Bren
Thanks Hil! We love Toothless around here too!
Joanna
Brilliant idea! Saved me a lot of time last evening! My daughter loves her wings. Greetings from Poland!