First off I have tried to make these instructions as clear as possible with a million photos {I have a happy trigger finger – what can I say?} and the free patterns that you can download; for the child sized pattern click here, for the adult sized pattern (part 1) click here and for the adult sized pattern (part 2) click here. Please email me if you get stuck anywhere along the way.
What you will need to make a Yip Yip Costume:
This supply list is for two costumes, one adult sized and one child sized.
(affiliate links)
- 90″x90″ Queen size fleece blanket,
- a roll of cotton batting,
- 2′ of black sheer material,
- 2 – 4″ Styrofoam balls,
- 4 – 1/2″ Styrofoam balls,
- 2 – 3″ Styrofoam balls,
- 8 pipe cleaners,
- black paint,
- paint brush,
- pins,
- coordinating thread,
- hot glue gun,
- sewing machine.
How to make a Yip Yip Costume:
They’ll look like this. 
Now lets work on the mouth.
It’ll look like this. 
Sew together. And turn right side out.
Now roll up your batting and pin it on the inside of the mouth.
Whip stitch this into place.
Sew the tentacles onto the bottom, layering the longest at the back. Skip this step for the child sized costume.
Make your husband try it on for a “fitting”. And place pins where you want the eyes to go.
Hot glue gun the eyes in place (4″ for adult, 3″ for child). Be sure to take the pins out 😀
Tell your husband that you need him for a second “fitting”. Really.
You will need 4 pipe cleaners for each costume. Twist two pipe cleaners together and hot glue gun a 1/2″ Styrofoam ball to the end. Repeat.
Here’s where you’re at.
Twist the two antennas together and hot glue gun them to the eyes.
Paint on black pupils. And. You. Are. Done!
Thank you for taking the time to scroll through my plethora of pictures. I am so glad that you stopped by. Please let me know if you’ve used this Yip Yip Costume Tutorial. I would love to see your finished project or feature it like this DIY Yip Yip Costume from Jenny.
Larissa
I love these! I already follow, but I’ve bookmarked this post specifically…
katskraps4kids
My computer flaked on me so if I post 2 comments I didn’t mean to. But these are adorable and you did a fabulous job! I had said you should post pics of all of y’all together for us to see. =0)
Beth @ Sand To Pearl
That is so very cool. You did awesome.
Ginger
Neato! Thanks for linking up to Mad Skills Monday!
Handy Man, Crafty Woman
These are so cute! Hilarious! I used to love those YIP YIP guys when I was a kid.
Julie
I’ve been wondering what I could wear this year to our Oncology Floor Halloween party. We have lots of little kids, so I don’t want to scare anyone. Perhaps a YipYip would be the answer?! Now I only need to convince my geeky husband to hook me up with a video of them for my candy bag – in case the little ones aren’t as Old School.
Be proud! You did a wonderful job on the costumes.
Amie
I love that you brought those Yip Yips back in style! Nostalgia at its best. 🙂 You did a great job!
Amie @ https://www.kittycatsandairplanes.blogspot.com/
Jenn
I LOVED those guys when I was a kid! Amazing costumes!!!
Life in Rehab
Those are so cute! If we had any kind of chill in the air I’d be all over them.
Amanda
These were my favorite characters when I was little, but it seems very few people actually remember them lol! I’m so glad to have found this, it’s definitely going in my halloween costume ideas folder. Thanks so much for sharing!
Uh-huh, Uh-huh, yip-yip-yip-yip (lol)
Amanda
sleepytimeproductions.blogspot.com
allison @ itstoilegood.blogspot.com
these look great! I swear these things used to scare me when I was little! I don’t know why – wierd huh? Anyhoo – you made some adorable, creative costumes!
Kimberly
oh my gosh. this is too funny!! I love them!!
Misty
Love your costumes!
Thanks for linking @Creative Itch’s “Sew Cute Tuesday”!
Randi
So fun and so adorable! Visiting from Weekend Wrap-Up.
ellie g
Ummmmm…..that is THE CUTEST, MOST AWESOMEST costume in all the land!! I adore Sesame Street, and this was just soo much coolness, I had to stop by and say a HUGE cyber high-five to you! Really. I’m kind of getting emotional about how much I love this. You rule!
Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming
You’ve been featured today! Thanks so much for joining the Sunday Showcase Party- I greatly appreciate it. Stop by and grab a featured button if you like. Hope you have a wonderful weekend. – Stephanie Lynn
Marisa
This is awesome! Love the Yip Yips.
Jocelyn Christensen
that’s completely adorable! How awesome!
lauren
awesome. i’ve only found the adult size on instructables and couldn’t figure out how to make a child sized one for my 7 year old. i showed them to her on youtube 3 years ago and she asked this year. hold old is the child size costume for?? my daughter is about 46″ tall. thanks.
AM from White House, Black Shutters
This is hilarious! Love love it 🙂
Patricia L
I always loved the yip yips! Great costumes!
Kristen @ ladybug-blessings.com
love this! and how comfy too! if you have time come link up to Handmade Tuesdays @ http://www.ladybug-blessings.com
Charmedfavors
I love this costume, I have been looking for an easy way to make one and this one looks really good, I hope mine comes out the same way. I may have to email you if I get stuck. 🙂
Dorothy-Life With Boys
THANK YOU!!!! I am making this for my teenage son who needs a costume for a marching band concert (in 3 days!). I’m soooo excited to find this pattern. I’ll share with you when I’m done. THANK YOU!!!
Dorothy-Life With Boys
https://dorothy-lifewithboys.blogspot.com/2012/10/happy-halloween.html
Thanks so much!!! My Yip Yip for my 9th grader came out GREAT!!! Above is the link.
a star* in the margin
OMG, thank you so much for this! I am totally making these this summer for next Halloween! (Yes, I’m a Halloween nut and start on next Halloween pretty much ASAP.)
catbelly
Yip Yip costume: I think I did the lip wrong. Was I supposed to leave a few inches of mouth fabric around the edge when I was sewing in the black mouth? I don’t understand where/how I’m supposed to put the batting to make the lip, as the black fabric is sewn right to the edge of the fleece. Please help.
Heather Painchaud
The batting to make the lip is put on the inside of the costume around the mouth. The mouth is sewn directly to the body – no extra fabric is needed. Where the mouth meats the body, the batting is rolled and sewn to the body fabric around the mouth from the inside. Hope that helps – its been a long time since we made these!
Diane
Thank you for your comment in regards to the mouth. I was wondering about this too.
Just so that I am clear-
Batting on the inside, then I pull body fabric over the batting and whip stitch to the seam of the mouth?
Any clarification would be great!
Heather Painchaud
Yes! You’ve got it.
KATHY
I hope you still remember how to make your Yip Yip costume. I am a great fan of them also. I’ve always wanted to make them for Halloween. I’m 70 and there couldn’t be a better time to try. I understand most of your instructions. I haven’ t cut anything yet I just can’t follow where the mouth will go. I think once it is cut out and sewnI will see it more clearly. Is that a seam down the front? Would appreciate anyhelp you can give me.
Thank you,
The outfit will be for me.
Heather Painchaud
Yes, the seam is down the front. Good luck 🙂
stacey
Hi, I love this! How do the kids see through the costume?
stacey
Disregard….I read the instructions. LOL!
Stephanie
Hi, Heather! Thank you for the tutorial! I am having problems with the lip of the mouth. I saw on the other comments that you put batting on the inside and pull fabric to mouth seam. I am having trouble pinning stretched enough where the mouth looks pronounced. My question is do you have any other tips and tricks for lips. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you!
Heather Painchaud
If the batting isn’t working you could try using a pool noodle to help distinguish the mouth? Good luck!
Chris
I’m a complete novice at this and I’m having trouble following this tutorial. I have a lot of questions; please bear with me. 🙂
I’m looking at the pattern in pdf format, and rotated the image to where your handwritten “1 of 2” is in the upper left hand corner.
– Where is the “head,” “mouth,” and “front” from the photo in the tutorial in relation to your drawing/pattern?
– The way I get the 35″x 35″ dimension is if I fold the fabric twice; giving me four layers (single folding will give me 35″ x 70″). Am I supposed to fold the fabric/blanket twice? If so, what is your “sew” line referencing? Am I supposed to sew through all 4 layers?
I don’t see a seam down the front in the photos with the finished product.
I appreciate any help. Thanks.
Britta
Dear Heather,
thank you for the great pattern and inspiration!
Here is my YipYip version for my daughter: https://blog.erbsenprinzessin.com/2018/02/yipyip-kostuem-fuer-fasching/
We added a zipper for the mouth and holes for the arms.
Love it!
🙂
Heather Painchaud
Wonderful!! Thank you for sharing <3