My little ones love to dress up. Whether their playing house and want to be Mom and Dad or jumping on the trampoline as princesses. They love to pretend.
Recently I was giggling as my 3 year old son came in to ask me to zip up his princess dress. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with him dressing up and dancing around like a princess.
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But it did make me realize that our dress up box had become a bit one sided when it came to options. If all you could choose from were princess dresses and high heels, that's all you'd dress up as.
I decided I could easily remedy this with one pattern. A simple dress up tunic. This pattern could be transformed into anything include this space ranger costume.
That is why today I am sharing the first dress up project made with the free dress up tunic pattern. You can download that pattern at the end of the post.
But this post is all about how to put together the Buzz Costume.
Many years ago we made some fun homemade Woody and Jessie costumes. They were a real hit with my two oldest, but my little man feels a bit left out. That's why we had to drag Buzz into the mix.
I mean, who doesn't need a space ranger costume?
You can get the pieces for this costume at the end of the post for free. This tunic is 19" long but if you have an older child or want it to last for more years, feel free to adjust the length to work for you.
You can also change the neckline if your child has a large head.
How to Make a Homemade Buzz Lightyear Costume
- Dress Up Tunic PDF Pattern - Get the free pattern at the end of the post
- Ranger Pattern Pieces - at end of post
- 1 yard white felt
- 1/4 yard purple felt
- 1/4 yard green felt
- 1/4 yard black felt
- 1/4 yard red felt
- Felt scraps in blue, and lime green
- 8" of Velcro
- Rectangle of Cardboard
- 1/2" Elastic
- Matching thread
Step 1
Cut out the tunic base using the free Dress Up Tunic pattern and the white felt.
The fold of the fabric should be at the neckline.

Step 2
Cut out all the Ranger pattern pieces in the different colored felts. The Buzz costume pieces at the end of the post have what colors to cut each pieces out using. Make sure to download the pieces.
Step 3
Use a temporary adhesive spray to adhere the felt pieces to the tunic. You can pile the layers of felt on top of each other.
If you don't want to sew, feel free to use a hot glue gun to attach all the pieces to the tunic top. It should work just as well as sewing. Felt is a great fabric for no sew costume projects.


Step 4
Once all the pieces are set onto your design, thread your sewing machine and stitch around the outside edges to ensure the are secure to the tunic.
Repeat with the back side.


Step 5
Use heat transfer vinyl to attach the words on the back of the tunic and the flight symbol on the front.
If you don't have heat transfer vinyl, you can always make a freezer paper stencil to paint the words or designs onto your felt.
Step 6
About a third of the way down the sides of the tunic. Attach by sewing 4" piece of Velcro to each side of the tunic.
Now for the Space Toy Wings.
My husband said he thought these were the best part of the costume. He was super impressed.
But I'll admit, this was the easiest part! At least in my opinion.
Buzz Lightyear Costume DIY Wings
Step 7
For the wings, you'll need a rectangle piece of cardboard. Whatever size you think works for your child.
Measure purple felt to be 1/2" wider than the cardboard piece on all sides. Cut out one section of purple felt that is double the length of your cardboard.
Step 8
Cut a long strip of white felt that is 2" wide and the length of the longest side of your purple felt.
Cut a similar strip in red.


Step 9
Trim the red strip on a diagonal. You'll need enough sections to go across your wings. Each red section should be 1.5" wide. Pin sections to the white strip.
Step 10
Place the white strip on the purple and stitch all the layers together.
Step 11
Measure two pieces of elastic that will fit around your child's arms and shoulders. Make a circle with each elastic, overlap the ends 1" and stitch together.
Pin elastic to the center of one side of the purple layer and stitch down. Repeat with opposite elastic.
Step 12
Fold the purple layer with wrong sides together matching the two short ends.
Stitch across the long sides leaving the short end open.
Turn purple right side out.
Slide the cardboard into the purple wings.
Step 13
Cut two rectangles of green felt that is 1" longer than that wings and 4" wide.
Fold over either short side of the wings and stitch in place. Be careful not to stitch over your cardboard.
Woot Woot! You are ready to fly!!
Now you have a great dress up tunic that will take you to infinity and beyond. And the great thing about this tunic is it will grow with your little one.
Since it fits right over the head you won't have to worry about them grow up or out.
Want the free Dress Up Tunic PDF Pattern and buzz pieces? Simply click the buttons below and download to your device.
You can customize the tunic for whatever dress up project you plan to create.
Daughter loves the Ranger! Going to have to put this on my sewing list for when kiddos get a little older. Thank you for your craftiness!
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