My boys could not love the Wild Kratt brothers (on PBS) more. They are constantly running around acting like Chris and Martin {they even call each other Chris and Martin on occasion}. So when Halloween was getting close I asked if they wanted me to make creature power vests for their costumes, you should have heard the excited screams echoing throughout our house. So here we are . . .
Supplies
- Boys Black Shirt, v-neck
- Blue and/or Green Shirt, long sleeve
- Blue and/or Green Fabric, to match shirts
- Black Gloves
- Heat’n Bond, Ultra Hold
- Velcro, sticky back
- My Template Pattern, printed out – download in Step 2
- Creature Power Disks, printed out
Note: Prewash and dry all fabrics. I then ironed the black shirts flat to create creases into the sides of the shirt, you will see why later in this post.
Step 1: Black Vest
I measured down from the arm pits (on both sides) 4-1/2″ — for size 4/5 Â -OR-Â Â down 5″ — for size 6/7. I then drew a straight line using my boys’ sidewalk chalk, which works amazing by the way. Now in the center of the shirt I went up 1″ and connected it (with straight lines) on to the sides of your first line. Now measure down 3/4″ in the center and round that into the sides of the first line.
Cut both sides (front and back) of the shirt 1/2″ down from the bottom curved line. Now only cut the front/top of the shirt 1/2″ down from the upper pointed line. (Note: The half inch is for the hem allowance.)
Also, cut off the sleeves of the shirt along the original seam.
Now iron up (all the edges you cut off) 1/4″ and then roll over another 3/8″ and really press a good crease. Pin in place to make sewing MUCH easier.
Sew the seams 1/4″ and then go back and sew another seam between that stitch and the center of the shirt, to give a double stitch look.
Step 2: Applique
Iron heat’n bond onto the back of some of the fabric. Once heat’n bond is applied, cut out all the circles and strips using my PDF pattern below.
Shoulder Strips: Center the bigger of the two pieces over the shoulder seam. Iron into place. Iron smaller piece right below that on the front side of the shirt.
Side Strips:Â Center the bigger of the three pieces right below the armpit, centered on that crease that you ironed at the beginning. Iron into place. Now place the 1/2″ piece below that, iron into place. Now the 1/4″ piece, iron into place.
Circles: I just eyed where I wanted my circles. You can measure to ensure they end up centered, but I didn’t. Then iron into place. 
Wild Kratt Template Pattern. Contains all the pattern pieces you will need.
Now I appliquéd all the pieces into place by using a blanket stitch that my machine does. (Note: You probably don’t have to sew into place if this is just for costume wear, but I foresee my kids wearing these vests for hours and hours, everyday, after Halloween is over.)
Step 3: Gloves
I made my own bias tape out of the matching fabrics by cutting a strip at an angle (along the bias) so that the fabric will have some stretch to it. I cut mine 2″ x ~10″. Now iron into bias tape, if not sure how to iron into bias tape please view this posting where I made bias tape. Now pin along the top of the glove and stitch into place. Note: This was harder to do than I originally thought it would be. My stitch line wasn’t perfect, but no one will be looking that closely, so no worries.
Now heat’n bond on your circles to the glove. You will need to make sure you use ultra hold heat’n bond for this because you won’t be appliquéing/stitching the circles on.
“What If . . . “
Step 4: Disks
I cut a 1″ piece of velcro, soft side, and placed in the center of the big circle of the vest and stitched into place.
I then printed out these disks, cut them and had them laminated. I stuck a piece of 1″ sticky backed velcro, scratchy side, on to the middle of the back of the disk. For Halloween, I made me Monarch Butterfly wings. So to have the boys and I match, I made a creature power disk of a Monarch Butterfly.
UPDATE: The discs I used are no longer available. So I created the discs at the bottom of the post. Just download the ZIP file that you can print out and laminate.
There you have it! All done. Phew … and I have a few days to spare before Halloween. It’s not Halloween yet, but my boys have been wearing their vest everywhere, even running around in the evenings and mornings over the top of their pajamas. Nothing is more exciting and rewarding, after the late nights of sewing, than seeing your kids truly happy. Enjoy!
Download the Creature Power Discs Here . . .Â
These are amazing!! I should have started earlier and made them as christmas gifts for my boys!! 🙂
Thanks Emily! My boys couldn’t love theirs more. We have had hours upon hours of fun play with these.
The PDF only had one page which was for the circles. I assume page 2 should have had rectangular pieces. Are they available?
Oh my goodness! I am so sorry! Thank you so much for pointing that out Dorilee. I accidentally attached my first PDF I made, instead of my final version with the side and shoulder strips. I have changed the PDF to be the correct one. Please let me know if it doesn’t work. Thanks again for letting me know!
Hello would you mind letting me know which webhost you’re working with?
I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different internet browsers and I must say this
blog loads a lot quicker then most. Can you suggest a good internet hosting provider at a honest price?
Thanks a lot, I appreciate it!
I use Dreamhost and I’ve actually been very pleased with them. They are very helpful with my WordPress site and they have helped me optimize it so that it will run fast. If you have any other questions about it I’d be happy to respond.
Genevieve, your tutorial is amazing! I am using my ipad, and for some reason it won’t let me open the zip file…any chance you can email me the pdf file? It would help me so much!!
Aimee,
Thank you so much for using the tutorial! I’m glad that it has been helpful. You can’t actually open a zip file on an ipad. I will e-mail you the PDF file of the pattern pieces right now. If you don’t get them, please let me know. Thanks again!
Can you please send me any pdf files associated with this costume? I want to make my son’s Halloween costume and your blog was SUPER helpful!
Sara,
All of the pattern pieces are included in the tutorial. When you click on the download button it will download the PDF to your computer. Then you can just print them out. I hope that helped. Thanks!
Thank you so much for your tutorial. I am not particularly crafty and my sons wanted creature power costumes for Halloween. Since my older son is 9, it was hard to find something readymade that fit him. Your website really saved the day and I was able to put together the vests despite not having a sewing machine. I did hand sew the edges of the vest and it worked out fine. Thanks for the thorough instructions and kudos to your creativity.
Anita,
I’m so glad that the tutorial was helpful! Thank you so much for letting me know. It makes my day when I know that something I did was helpful for someone else!
Dear Genevieve,
I am a grandmother from Germany and I have two grandkids who are big fans of the go wild series. I was looking everywhere in Germany for a pattern for the go wild costumes. I was so glad, when I finally found your side!!!!!! I was so excited that I sowed, as you explained it and it turned out perfectly.
Thank you also so much for the animal disks, I printed them all out and my grandkids wear their costumes all the time and change their powers. 🙂
I was wondering, if you can by any chance craft a disk with eagle of hawk power? My grandkids asked me for those animal powers, but I don’t know how to design those…..
Lots of thanks from Germany,
Ilona
I’m so glad that my tutorial was helpful! 😀 I just created an eagle/hawk power disk. I can e-mail it to you or you will notice at the bottom of my tutorial I have attached the attachment. Just click on it and you can print it. Thank you so much for the comment, you just made my day! If you have any other questions or concerns please let me know. Thank you!
Dear Genevieve,
Thank you for the beautiful eagle !!. My grandsons will be delighted . Your homepage is great . Greetings from Germany
Ilona
Thank you so much for this great tutorial! I do a lot of costume sewing for my grandchildren and when two of them requested WildKratts, I wasn’t sure what they even were, but I aim to please!
The downloadable disks are great. And the printable patterns for the iron-ons.
I’ve got one done, one to go!
Deb,
I’m so glad that my pattern was helpful! Thank you so much for letting me know, it makes my day!!!
Hi Genevieve,
Thanks so much for this tutorial and pattern. My boys are super excited! Did you use heat n bond ultra hold for the appliqués? I think I’d like to sew mine too, so am wondering if I should use the lite version.
Thanks!
Rebecca
I always use ultra-hold heat’n’bond. I’ve used light before, but have decided I just prefer the ultra hold. Even when I end up sewing it on, which I did for my boys vest. I hope this was helpful!
Wow! Thank you so much.
You’re so welcome!
Genevieve,
I need to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your Wild Kratt costume tutorial. My four year old son has been begging to be Chris Kratt for a month, but we couldn’t find the costume he wanted for sale anywhere. This uncrafty parent found your page, followed the instructions, and was able to make something that looked amazingly good for someone who has never used an iron before! Even though I didn’t sew anything, his eyes just lit up when he saw the costume and this feels like a total winning childhood moment.
I couldn’t have done this without you, and thank you so so much for sharing your work.
Happy Halloween!
Thank you Megan! I almost cried when I read this. One of the main reasons I have this blog is to help others create items that they haven’t created before. I’m always hoping that my tutorials will be of help to others, but I never really even know if anyone is reading them or using them. Thank you once again for telling me. Happy Halloween!
Thanks, Genevieve. My oldest asked to be the Wild Kratts with his little brother for Halloween and thanks to your website I was able to provide that for them! Much appreciated. =)
Your welcome!
This is so great! My kids are Wild Kratts fanatics are are so excited to dress up this Halloween. I really appreciate all of your tips and advice. Do you happen to still have the other discs for printing? I was able to download the butterfly and eagle, but I know they would love to be able to switch them out to try others. Either way, thank you so much for helping me make these costumes happen for them!
It’s true the link that I used is no longer available. I created some discs and attached them to the bottom of the post that can be downloaded, printed and laminated.