Holiday Planning & Ideas Halloween Halloween Projects & Crafts Pet Costumes Petaled-Collar Pet Costume Transform your companion—using one of our two printable templates—into a sunflower or the prettiest pet-unia. (Get it?) For ease, you can use a collar instead of ribbon. By Martha Stewart Editors Martha Stewart Editors An article attributed to "Martha Stewart Editors" indicates when several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The Martha Stewart team aims to teach and inspire readers daily with tested-until-perfected recipes, creative DIY projects, and elevated home and entertaining ideas. They are experts in their fields who research, create, and test the best ways to help readers design the life they want. The joy is in the doing. Editorial Guidelines Updated on September 20, 2018 Share Tweet Pin Email Dogs and cats can get into character too, as long as they don't bother them with itchy, fussy ensembles. Take our tips from Katherine Miller, director of applied science and research for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. "A pet's ability to bear wearing a costume depends on the pet and its past experiences with clothes, collars, and harnesses," Miller says. Costumes like this one using a collar and petaled felt embellishments should not impede a pet's ability to breathe, move, see, or hear. Try on the costume a week before Halloween. Have your pet wear the piece during positive times such as meals, walks, or play. A relaxed posture and tail is a sign that your dog or cat is comfortable. But if your pet is restless or depressed, tries to bite or pull the clothes off, or hides, it's unhappy. Before you take your dog to a parade or out trick-or-treating, consider how at ease it will be in a loud, strange-looking crowd. "Your pet is likely to be overwhelmed, so you must watch out for its safety and personal space," Miller says. If you see signs that your dog has had enough, go on home. For more tips and tricks, scroll through our entire collection of Pet Costumes. What You'll Need Materials Petal Template Sunflower template 1" grosgrain ribbon (M&J Trimming Chromespun Grosgrain Ribbon 1", $15 for 5 yards, mjtrim.com.) One or two 18-by-18-inch squares wool felt (Pictured: Wool felt, in Sun (#03), by Wollfilz; purlsoho.com.) Sewing machine and sewing supplies Self-adhesive Velcro fasteners (Pictured: Velcro squares, 7/8 inches, homedepot.com.) Instructions Cut ribbon to fit loosely around your pet's neck, with ends overlapping 1 inch. Print petal template or sunflower template. Trace the shape on the felt, and cut out petals. Fold them in half lengthwise, and stitch close to the fold, from the flat end to 2/3 of the way up; this will give the petals dimension. Stitch the petals to the ribbon, overlapping them by almost half. Add Velcro fasteners at the ends of the ribbon.