Bunny Suit Pattern Tutorial by Kapalaka

I have been messaged occasionally regarding how I made my bunny suit, so I decided to make a patterning tutorial! Always a fan of hot babes in bunny suits! I hope this makes it a bit easier... if something is unclear let me know so I can make revisions.

Photo on the top left was taken by ~Morataya, and the original can be seen here. [link]
Sketches, graphics, layout, and instructions were made by myself.

Finished product:

xpomverte Featured By Owner Dec 14, 2015 Student Digital Artist

Hello! First of all, thanks a lot for this tutorial. I have a few questions: is it possible to make a bunny suit using this pattern without the boning? I've made a bodysuit before but it was just made of a front panel and a back panel, which looked pretty plain and boring, so I was hoping that sewing it out of multiple panels just like a corset would look nicer. But will it still hold up without boning? Also would this work with stretch fabric? Thank you!

Kapalaka Featured By Owner Jan 21, 2016 Hobbyist Artisan Crafter

Hi there!

You are very welcome! Oh nice, I could see your point about it looking plain. Have you considered sewing a "fake" seam down the princess areas for your two-part bunny suits?

Yes, it is possible to make a bunny suit without boning. It will not look very polished without boning, though. The boning is necessary to keep fabric from buckling/rolling down.

It is also possible to use this with stretch fabric, for sure!

Depending on how stretchy your fabric is will help you determine how much to take it in. You will want to remove the majority of excess fabric from the center-back, and all princess seams, and the waist area on the side-seams.

Good luck to you!

mollycheshirecat Featured By Owner Nov 26, 2015 Hobbyist Artist

This is going to be so helpful, thank you for making this

Kapalaka Featured By Owner Jan 21, 2016 Hobbyist Artisan Crafter

you're welcome!

chinafangirl98 Featured By Owner May 22, 2015

I love this been wanting to make one of these thank you. also how did you make the ears

Kapalaka Featured By Owner May 31, 2015 Hobbyist Artisan Crafter

Hi there! I made them using 5 gauge floral wire, then just covering it all with fabric using hot-glue.

chinafangirl98 Featured By Owner Jun 2, 2015

thank you ^-^

emm-gee Featured By Owner Oct 20, 2014

this is a great tutorial
what type of fabric would you recommend using for it? is stretch fabric a bad idea?

Kapalaka Featured By Owner Jan 4, 2015 Hobbyist Artisan Crafter

Hi there! This is meant for non-stretch fabric with all the seamwork that goes into it.

emm-gee Featured By Owner Jan 4, 2015

thank you!

Marine-san Featured By Owner Jun 29, 2014

Oh thank you so much ! I was about to bout a pattern which not I exactly wanted and I just found your tutorial ! Thank you very much for sharing your tips !

Kapalaka Featured By Owner Jun 29, 2014 Hobbyist Artisan Crafter

you're welcome!

SangreAngel Featured By Owner Mar 14, 2014

You saint! I've seen a few plastic wrap tutorials and they've come out awesome

how well do you think this could be adapted to make a corset? Just by cutting and shaping at the hips? (I know it's a stupid question, just want an opinion from a pro

)

Kapalaka Featured By Owner Mar 17, 2014 Hobbyist Artisan Crafter

I am also super flattered you consider me a pro. XD !!! Good luck to you!

Kapalaka Featured By Owner Mar 17, 2014 Hobbyist Artisan Crafter

It could definitely be used to make a corset! It's actually a very common way people make their first basic corset. I would highly recommend studying existing corset patterns online. It will help you to see how corset cinching patterns generally look and give you better judgement in how to alter lines once the plastic wrap is rolled out. This method will give you a bodice pattern to your actual size, but it is up to you how you want to sculpt your silhouette.

SangreAngel Featured By Owner Jun 20, 2014

Thank you so much! Making Wonder Woman outfits is hard and this has helped so thank you both for the helps and the tutorial

Kapalaka Featured By Owner Jun 21, 2014 Hobbyist Artisan Crafter

You're welcome!

Glad I could be of help! <3

rnko26 Featured By Owner Dec 6, 2013 Hobbyist General Artist

bunny suits, gotta love'em and the girls...sorry ladies who wear them

Honey-Hime Featured By Owner Sep 10, 2013 Hobbyist General Artist

I can't figure out how much fabric I need to buy.. I can't find a pattern online displaying sizes and such like normal patterns.

Kapalaka Featured By Owner Sep 10, 2013 Hobbyist Artisan Crafter

Generally 1.5 yards is plenty for a bunnysuit. If you wanted to line it, also get 1.5 yds of a lining fabric as well. If your body size is larger than an American size 16, 2 yards would be more advisable.

JessIcan313 Featured By Owner Aug 1, 2013 Hobbyist Artist

Thankyou so so much for this!!! It's so helpful!! I am using it right now!!

torturebunni Featured By Owner May 26, 2013

This is really helpful, thanks so much!

Kapalaka Featured By Owner Jun 12, 2013 Hobbyist Artisan Crafter

I'm glad to hear it!

Yaaaay! You're welcome!

Ashlen-Rose Featured By Owner Apr 29, 2013 Hobbyist Artisan Crafter

This is such a LIFE saver, thank you for making it!!! Do you have any recommendations on how to calculate how much fabric is needed to make the suit? I can private message you my measurements if that will help?

Kapalaka Featured By Owner May 6, 2013 Hobbyist Artisan Crafter

Hi Ashlen! It depends on how wide your fabric is, but generally you'd need about a yard and a half minimum for a bunny suit. One way I calculate how much I need for a costume in general is to make the pattern first and see how many pieces I can fit within a 22" or so rectangle. Most fabric comes between 44"-60" wide bolts, so if you picture it folded up it helps.

Ashlen-Rose Featured By Owner May 7, 2013 Hobbyist Artisan Crafter

Thank you!! I am going to do this today, have to have it ready for fanime x_X!!! I will be using 4-way stretch Vinyl. (cosplaying black canary) Again thanks a lot

Kapalaka Featured By Owner May 7, 2013 Hobbyist Artisan Crafter

Omg I'm going to Fanime, too!

What will you be cosplaying?

Ashlen-Rose Featured By Owner May 7, 2013 Hobbyist Artisan Crafter

Black Canary (Hence the need for a bunny suit

!) Mercenary Katarina from league of legends, Elizabeth from Bioshock and maybe my Hinata again ^_^! How about you?

Kapalaka Featured By Owner May 8, 2013 Hobbyist Artisan Crafter

Oh man, I LOVE Black Canary! Which version of her are you doing? I think you're going to look very beautiful and AWESOME as her! X3

That sounds look a good and full to-cosplay list!

I'll be around here and there if you have any questions!

In the meantime, have you checked out Jessie's bunny suit tutorials? She changes her SN often so it may be under Rufflebutt or AnimeAngel.

Ashlen-Rose Featured By Owner May 8, 2013 Hobbyist Artisan Crafter

Yes I have! I actually purchased her pattern for it to, but decided to go with something more catered to my body since its not the average shape

! I am doing the Jim Lee version of black canary

so more of a heart shaped chest part. Thanks for your help, I am sewing the mockup today so i might pm you with some questions >_<!

Btw I love your cosplays your really talented and beautiful

Kapalaka Featured By Owner Jun 12, 2013 Hobbyist Artisan Crafter

Thank you so very much for the wonderful compliment! X3 I'm happy to help and I hope the mock-up is going well!

(1 Reply)

DEATHlikescats Featured By Owner Mar 3, 2013 Professional Digital Artist

thanks! I'm a bigger girl and getting a good fit is essential when ya got CURVES.

LilacLilac Featured By Owner Mar 1, 2013

Thank you for your genius tutorial! I'm so amazed by how clever this is!
But I do have a question. How did you install the zipper? I pinned a 7 inch into the back of my mock-up, but sadly I couldn't get my butt through it... sob.
I was thinking I just needed a longer zipper, but then would it look weird to have one almost to my crotch? Then I thought I could put one in the side, but then would it screw with the boning? I'm a little stuck.
But thank you again, this really is awesome.

Kapalaka Featured By Owner Mar 1, 2013 Hobbyist Artisan Crafter

Hi there, Lilac! Thank you so much for the kind words!

Yes, a longer zipper will solve your woes. I actually have a zipper that goes down to my mid-butt since my hips are super-wide! I definitely recommend putting the zipper in the back. The least amount of bunching happens there, too. Feel free to comment again when you get stuck, I am certain your questions will benefit others. Best of luck to you!

LilacLilac Featured By Owner Mar 1, 2013

Thank you for your help! My zipper needs to be 14" it seems. Gah. I guess I'll get another one tomorrow.
But thank you so much! I hopefully won't have to, but chances are I'll screw something else up.

VerbalAtyx Featured By Owner Feb 12, 2013 Student General Artist

Ahh, this is so perfect! I'm going to use it as a base for part of my Cherry Bomb cosplay (from studio killers)
I'm wondering though, does the boning just go along the princess seams? and did you put the spiral steal over the regular boning or just put them in different places??

Kapalaka Featured By Owner Feb 27, 2013 Hobbyist Artisan Crafter

Hi Verbal! I am so sorry I took so long to respond, this message was unfortunately buried so I hope I am not too late in answering your questions.

The boning should go on one side of every seam and several flay steel bones in the front. I prefer to have all my bones go from end to end of the seam, but some people like Rufflebutt prefer to make the bones only go as far down as the waist. Here is her tutorial with pictures, perhaps it will answer more questions. [link]

Also, spiral steal is a type of boning. I recommend using it over your curvy areas like the princess seams and anything along your backside and center back. Some people prefer flat steel all over, but I just recommend it over the stomach area.

KoryXIII Featured By Owner Dec 28, 2012

Thanks!

Squeakum175 Featured By Owner Nov 13, 2012 Hobbyist

this is helpful but feel its not finished cause you dont show a finished product. But how did it stay up without boning? and how did you finish off?

Kapalaka Featured By Owner Nov 14, 2012 Hobbyist Artisan Crafter

Thank you, but this tutorial is only meant to show how to pattern a bunny suit. It does not claim to be a bunny-suit walkthrough.

I made no claims in the tutorial that my suit did not have steel boning in it. I made a corset in the lining and them put a zipper into the other shell of the green pvc fabric. If you have not attempted a corset before, here is a link to a great corseting community that helped out with my early works and has a plethora of resources to help you in your future projects. [link]

My bunny suit is the first corset I ever made so fear not if you have never made one before. You can make anything you with determination!

Goodness, I am surprised that it slipped my mind to post a link to the finished product. Fix'd. [link]

whaleyousea Featured By Owner Nov 12, 2012

question! im really REALLY new to sewing/pattern making and i was wondering if there was a certain way to wrap the saran wrap around yourself and if i should be drawing it while its on my body???? im sorry this is like a really stupid question aaah

Kapalaka Featured By Owner Nov 14, 2012 Hobbyist Artisan Crafter

ps - Good luck on your bunny suit! You seem eager to learn so I am not worried about you. I am certain it will turn out great and show the care you put into bunny suit research!

Kapalaka Featured By Owner Nov 14, 2012 Hobbyist Artisan Crafter

Hi there! lol It's not a stupid question, so don't worry about it.

Yes, you should draw on it while it is on your body. The Glad press n' seal seems to have a sticky side and a regular side. You should try to put the regular side against your skin and the sticky side up so that the sticky side receives the upper layers of the saran wrap. This helps create a more stable saran wrap mock-up.

I hope I explained it well, don't be embarrassed if you have more questions!

CheesyHipster Featured By Owner Sep 16, 2012 Student General Artist

Could you leave instructions on where to put a zipper and the boning? it doesn't have to be all super fancy I just want to know the basic areas the boning and zipper would be placed. Thanks! I like this technique it seems so much easier than doing all those crazy measurements and math equations that I see other tutorials do to make it fit right. I plan to be playboy bunny Bulma from Dragonball at Fanime 2013 and want to start early on my bunny suit.

Kapalaka Featured By Owner Sep 16, 2012 Hobbyist Artisan Crafter

Sure!

I put the zipper up the center-back and recommend ONLY using metal zippers. Boning usually goes on either side of seams, like near the princess seams and side seams and back princess seams.

mariegreycosplay Featured By Owner Aug 16, 2012 Hobbyist Artist

This is so perfect! I've seen tutorials for bunny suits that were way too complicated and they never looked like they'd hug my body perfectly. Thank you so much for posting this. I'll be using this for my Poison Ivy cosplay for New York Comic Con!