Liven up Setsubun! A collection of DIY oni (ogre) pants ideas
As Setsubun approaches, many of you may be wondering what kind of costume to prepare for your child.
Why not take the opportunity to make your own original oni (ogre) pants? By getting creative with materials like felt, smooth knit fabric, or even plastic bags, you can craft oni pants in all kinds of styles! In this article, we’ll share plenty of handmade ideas for these oni pants.
Make matching pairs for parents and kids, coordinate with your favorite colors, and make this year’s Setsubun more special than ever with your one-of-a-kind oni pants!
Get into the Setsubun spirit! A collection of handmade Oni pants ideas (1–10)
overalls style
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CnwdBKVqHv2/These are demon-pattern overalls with adjustable shoulder straps.
Cut the required pieces from your preferred fabric and sew them together.
Since buttoned clothing can be tricky for small children, thread elastic through the waist.
If you’re concerned about the hems dangling, it’s a good idea to add elastic to the hems as well.
On these pants, the front ends of the shoulder straps are sewn to the waist, and you adjust the length by threading the straps through the belt loops on the back of the waist and tying them.
If you make the straps a bit longer, you can tie them in a bow, which looks cute!
Demon pants you can make without sewing
I don’t have a sewing machine, but I want to make oni pants! This is a recommended no-sew idea for people like you.
In this method, fold the fabric in half, cut out parts shaped like left and right pant legs, and bond them together at the crotch to form the pants.
Insert elastic at the waist and hems.
Use fabric glue for bonding.
Some types are washable, so if you plan to reuse the costume, those are recommended.
Once the pants are finished, try making a bib-style chest piece and horns to go with them.
Oni Underpants and a Bustier
If you want to make it at the lowest possible cost, this idea might help.
It’s an ogre-themed pair of shorts and a bustier made using three sheets of tiger-print felt and elastic from a 100-yen shop.
First, place the two pieces of fabric for the shorts right sides together and fold them in half.
Next, on the side opposite the fold, draw a half-arch that will form the crotch and cut it out with scissors.
Unfold the doubled fabric and sew together the left and right crotch curves you cut, then sew the waist edge above them.
Create a casing at the waist, insert the elastic, and you’re done.
For the bustier, cut the remaining fabric in half, place the pieces right sides together, and sew the left and right edges to form a loop.
Make casings at the top and bottom, thread elastic through both, and finish.
Pants made from a rectangular piece of fabric
The sarouel-style silhouette is so cute! Here’s how to make demon pants using a rectangular piece of fabric.
Use tiger-print fabric that’s 110 cm wide and 40 cm long.
The finished size fits approximately 95–100 cm.
First, fold the fabric in half and draw a 10 cm line on one side of the fold.
Then, outside that line, draw an arch 1 cm wide—this will be the crotch area.
Next, fold the waist and hem to create casings for the elastic, and press with an iron.
For the hem, fold 1 cm, then 3 cm; for the waist, fold 1 cm, then 4 cm.
Sew the fabric right sides together, sew along the crotch arch, then make a slit along the 10 cm line.
Finally, sew the waist and hem casings, insert the elastic, and you’re done!
clothes
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cad1_aSJFST/When you think of oni pants, many people probably imagine that tiger pattern.
Of course, that pattern is great, but some children may not want to wear it.
In that case, why not make oni pants that are stylishly arranged like regular clothing? First, focus on the pattern.
Since the tiger print is too flashy, opt for light colors or simple stripes.
Next is the shape.
Finishing them like shorts or making a coordinated top-and-bottom set will give a fashionable look.
pumpkin pants
https://www.instagram.com/p/CK1agU8JT8O/Pumpkin shorts with black slashes on yellow pants are a perfect idea for Setsubun.
Another perk is that you can reuse the orange pants you bought for Halloween.
You can easily create the slash-like design by sticking on thin, elongated strips of black construction paper.
For a more authentic look, layer yellow pants over black pants and tape them together, then cut parts of the yellow pants with scissors so the black underneath shows through!
with a tail
https://www.instagram.com/p/CWLSPhpJdbr/How about oni pants with animal tails that kids will love? They’re easy to make by simply adding a tail decoration to Setsubun oni pants sold at 100-yen shops, so anyone can give it a try.
Another recommendation is to buy animal-themed pants with a tiger pattern if you find them at toy stores and the like.
If you choose a type that already comes with a tail, you won’t need to buy one separately, which makes it super easy! If you have the time, you might also enjoy making them from scratch.
vinyl
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKqxBgTjTui/Let’s transform colored plastic bags and colorful plastic shopping bags into a pair of oni (ogre) pants! You’ll need colored plastic bags and cellophane tape, elastic or string for the waistband, and vinyl tape or markers to add patterns.
Cut off the bottom of the bag so legs can go through, then make a slit at the crotch.
Tape it together with cellophane tape to form the shape of pants.
Fold the waistband inward, thread the elastic or string through, and add patterns all over—done!
frill
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtcVK-ljFAv/Oni are originally big and scary beings.
But at events like Setsubun, it’s fun to try not only cool looks but also cute oni cosplay.
How about coordinating with frilly oni shorts that look adorable on both kids and girls? The pattern is the classic oni style: black markings on a yellow base.
Yet thanks to the frilly, fluffy design, they’re not just cool—they’re super cute.
If a baby or small child wears them, they’re sure to become everyone’s favorite.
Why not enjoy your Setsubun event with a charming little-oni fashion?
white tiger
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZtjZqUpdqb/Tiger-striped ogre pants.
If you think a simple tiger design is boring, we recommend a unique white tiger–style design.
The best part is how easy it is: just take white costume shorts from a 100-yen shop and draw horizontal black stripes with a marker.
Also, if you have white pants you no longer wear because they’re stained or torn, you can make a similar design by sticking black tape over them.