• Home
  • Meet Stacey
    • Work with Me
  • Decor
  • Family
  • Food
  • Style
  • Travel
  • Shop My Feed
  • PRIVACY POLICY
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Posh in Progress

Rocky the Flying Squirrel DIY Aviator Hat

By Stacey Freeman 2 Comments

squirrel DIY aviator hat 00

It’s Rocco’s first Halloween where he will go out trick-or-treating. He doesn’t understand what Halloween is, but we are excited to bring him to our friends’ house to go out for the first time with their two kids who are a bit older than Rocco.

flying-squirrel-DIY-aviator-hat-02When we first started thinking about what Rocco should be this year, Jade and I conceded that for at least one Halloween, Rocco had to be Rocky the flying squirrel. Not only because of their shared name, but the sheer cuteness factor of our son in a little DIY aviator hat and large squirrel tale seemed too good to pass up.

flying-squirrel-DIY-aviator-hat-08

A Rocky the flying squirrel costume isn’t really something you can buy, so I decided to dive into sewing. I haven’t sewn anything since I made my own ladybug costume in college. The twelve-plus year absence from sewing seemed daunting, but Jade eased my anxiety by finding an original owner’s manual online for my 1970’s hand-me-down sewing machine. To get my creativity flowing, he also showed me this example of a homemade aviator hat another blogger made.

flying-squirrel-DIY-aviator-hat-09

Based on her version and this arming cap template I found, I plunged into creating a Rocky version of an aviator hat. I visited a local fabric store, and I was totally overwhelmed with the selection. I managed to wrangle a preoccupied employee to direct me to the type of fabric I should use. She pointed me toward stiffer cottons and just my luck, I found some remnant in a perfect blue color and some soft fuzzy gray material for the tail.

flying-squirrel-DIY-aviator-hat-10

Creating the DIY aviator hat went quite well. Using the pattern I’d found online, I simply traced the pattern on the blue material, cut it out, and pinned the pieces together. The first version was too big on Rocco, so I took in the seams another ½ inch. It was a simple enough fix and fit him as well as I could expect for a homemade hat. I also lined the hat in some of the furry gray material for comfort (the blue material was a very stiff cotton) and to give the hat a more finished look.flying-squirrel-DIY-aviator-hat-05

To make the goggles, I bought some black pleather and some clear vinyl material. I created a pattern by drawing a free hand pattern based on this aviator goggles image. I initially tried sewing the goggles onto the hat, but found they puckered too much, so I removed some of the stitching and only sewed down the bottom and sides of the goggles, along with the strap in the back.

The first tail I made resembled more of a cat’s tail — thin and curly — so I scratched that version, and bought some shaggy fur from Michael’s. I made another tail pattern that was larger and less curvy than the first. The second tail turned out quite large—probably large enough for an adult squirrel costume.

flying-squirrel-DIY-aviator-hat-03

When I showed Rocco his large tail, he actually got scared and started semi-crying. Despite his protests, I attached it to a footless gray onesie I picked up at Ross. I hand stitched the tail to the back of the onesie.

flying-squirrel-DIY-aviator-hat-06Since Rocco’s initial reaction to his squirrel tail was fear, we thought we should do a test-run with him in it. He was not having it. Jade and I both had to wrestle with him just to get it on. After I snapped the leg buttons and the costume was in place, Rocco tentatively walked around the living room. Jade and my enthusiasm, smiles and laughing encouraged Rocco to check himself out in the mirror.

flying-squirrel-DIY-aviator-hat-01

The tail was so large it was throwing his balance off. He was leaning back and walking with his legs wide spread apart to keep himself from tipping over. Jade and I laughed for a long time, but that only egged Rocco on. Once he stumbled in front of the mirror and spotted the tail behind him, he quickly loved his costume. After several minutes of proudly walking around the living room, I moved toward him to take it off. He screamed and protested. He absolutely didn’t want to take it off. I can’t tell you how happy I was that he loved his costume.

flying-squirrel-DIY-aviator-hat-04

Despite the failed first attempt at a fuzzy tail, and a really obnoxiously large second tail (which is hilarious), we love his little Rocky costume. No, it’s definitely not perfect, but it was a lot of fun for me to make and even more fun to see how much Rocco enjoys wearing it. Plus, this is his first Halloween when he will go trick-or-treating, so it feels even more special that I made his first real Halloween costume.

Have you made your kid’s costume before? What are they dressing up as tonight? Happy Halloween everyone!

 

Tagged With: DIY, DIY aviator hat, DIY squirrel tail, Halloween, Halloween Costume, Homemeade, Rocky the flying squirrel costume, sewing

About Stacey Freeman

I am a Style Maven, Mommy, Educator, and Traveler.

« In Praise of Mancation
One Look, Three Pays: Sequin Track Pants »

Trackbacks

  1. Homemade Lion Costume + Dorothy - Posh in Progress says:
    at

    […] set out to create both of the kids’ costumes myself (last year I made Rocky the Flying Squirrel costume for Rocco), so I figured I could handle […]

    Reply
  2. Instagram Worthy Halloween Costumes for Babies, Toddlers, & Families | The Mom Friend says:
    at

    […] Rocky The Flying Squirrel with DIY Aviator Hat | Posh in Progress […]

    Reply

What do you think? Cancel reply

Hi, I’m Stacey!

Popular Posts

  • creamy and tasty avocado paste sauce
    How to Make this Creamy and Tasty Avocado Pasta Sauce
  • How to Make Sensational Homemade Blueberry Syrup
  • The Pros and Cons of Blogging + Posh In Progress Turns 6
  • 3 Cool Leather Necklaces That Will Make You Think of the 90s
    3 Cool Leather Necklaces That Will Make You Think of the 90s
  • Here Are The Best Joggers for Women

Disclosure

This site uses selective affiliate links, which means a commission is earned if you make a purchase via the link. The price you pay will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers or affiliate partnerships. We appreciate, and thank you for, your support!

Pinterest

Join Stacey on Instagram

poshinprogress

POSH IN PROGRESS - Since 2013
Fashion • Mom Life • Recipes • Travel • Beauty
Executive Director - UCLA Bedari Kindness Institute
📍 Los Angeles

Dr. Stacey Freeman
Does anyone else have the January blues? . After Does anyone else have the January blues? 
.
After the high of the holidays, I find myself feeling kinda sad in January.
.
Last week in Puerto Vallarta was such a dream but I’m definitely feeling the post-vacation blues. 
.
Don’t mind me, I may be posting these vaca photos for awhile. Take me back 😭. @villapremiere @enroute_communications #puertovallarta #travelblog #travelgram #hosted #hosteby
“Meet me where the sky touches the sea” 💙. “Meet me where the sky touches the sea” 💙. 
.
I’ve received a lot of DMs about traveling to Puerto Vallarta. New on poshinprogress.com, I’m sharing a full blog recap, including my thoughts on traveling during the pandemic and the experience we had.
.
Here’s a bit about where we stayed —  @villapremiere — is doing a fantastic job at keeping their employees and guests safe. Everyone is required to wear a mask; social distancing is maintained at all restaurants and public spaces; staff do not enter rooms except for room cleaning when the room is empty; hand sanitizing stations are present throughout the resort; hotel capacity is capped to ensure proper social distancing. I honestly felt very safe. If you have any other questions, please dm me or leave your questions below. 
.
📸 @robertoestrada 
.
@enroute_communications #puertovallarta #villapremiere #hosted #hostedby #travelblog #travelblogger
Big smiles in my @shein_us birthday look while I e Big smiles in my @shein_us birthday look while I explored the gorgeous hotel grounds. 
.
@villapremiere has gone out of their way to make my birthday magical. For my birthday dinner, they created a private four-course dinner for us in their gazebo peninsula that has the most amazing views of downtown Puerto Vallarta. Check out the (shaky) video I took as we walked to dinner. Honestly, I’ve never had such a special birthday. I can’t thank @villapremiere and @enroute_communications enough. 
.
📸 @robertoestrada 
:
#puertovallarta #villapremiere #hosted #hostedby #birthdaytrip #travelblogger #travelblog
This is the first vacation I’ve had where the ha This is the first vacation I’ve had where the hardest decision is what drink to order at the swim up bar🍹. To say @villapremiere is true paradise wouldn’t even do it justice. We keep saying to each other, “this doesn’t feel like real life, we are so lucky.” Thank you @villapremiere for the absolute best birthday I’ve ever had. 
.
Dress is @shein_us - shop my look here: http://liketk.it/35FbJ #liketkit @liketoknow.it #LTKcurves #LTKunder100 
.
@enroute_communications #villapremiere #puertovallarta #travelblogger #travelblog #hosted #hostedby
“Every year should teach you something valuable; “Every year should teach you something valuable; whether you get the lesson is up to you. Every year brings you closer to expressing your whole and healed self.” - @oprah 
.
When I thought about where to celebrate my birthday this year, I immediately thought of Puerto Vallarta. I had such a phenomenal experience here in 2019 with @visitpuertovallarta and @enroute_communications - I knew I had to come back. 
.
Thankfully, @villapremiere agreed to host me and I feel so beyond lucky. This place is pure magic. Head over to my stories for all the highlights over the next few days! 
.
📸 @robertoestrada #hosted #hostedby #villapremiere #puertovallarta #travelblogger #travelblog
Birthday mood 🎉. . This might be the first time Birthday mood 🎉.
.
This might be the first time I ever posted about my birthday on Instagram mostly because I’m not one to announce things like that. I’ve always felt uncomfortable receiving compliments. But this year, I feel so overwhelmingly happy that I wanted to share why.
.
In my early 30s, I dreaded getting older. Now, I honor each passing year and make an effort to do something special for myself (more on that later this week). 
.
The older I get, the more I feel confident in who I am. I feel so blessed to have the life I created and the support of the people who have stuck by me over the years. Here’s to celebrating one more trip around the sun.  #itsmybirthday #birthdaygirl #capricorn 
.
P.S. NEW - you can shop my look and my favorite sweater dresses on poshinprogress.com
Load More... Follow Stacey on Instagram

© 2021 Posh in Progress. All rights are reserved.

Copyright © 2021 · Glam Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in