The creation of this costume was the result of a school technology assignment. This project was a creative way to teach students the design process and give us a chance to practice what we had learned. Creating the costume and designing it was also preparing us for larger projects ahead. Since we only had limited space in the classroom, our technology teacher chose to have use create a flat pack design. Flat pack products are not only a modern idea, but also would save space in our classroom. Since 77 students would be creating their own costumes, we chose to make our costumes out of cardboard. By using this material, we could use recycled cardboard and it would not have an impact on our fragile environment.
Create an eco-friendly, marine themed, costume that will fit a middle school aged child and is easy to create and assemble.
The costume will be created for use as a Halloween costume or for use in a play. The costume will be worn by a middle school aged child. The costume must stay together and be created using a flat pack design and no adhesives. The costume will also be made out of 100% recycled materials such as cardboard. The costume must be stored flat and save space in the home of the wearer.
>Must fit a middle school aged child
>Must be comfortable
>No adhesives or fasteners can be used
> Must provide enough space for the wearer to breathe and walk safely
> Must be made out of cardboard only
> Must be easy to assemble
> Can not require very large pieces of cardboard so that the average person can acquire it
>Must be a flat pack design
>Must be safe
ITEM MATERIAL DESCRIPTION QTY SIZE (in inches) REMARKS-PART
S1 CARDBOARD 2 40x18 Body
S2 CARDBOARD 1 30x18 Head
S3 CARDBOARD 1 36x18 Tail
S4 CARDBOARD 1 10x15 Caudal Fin
S5 CARDBOARD 1 18x18 Shoulder Straps
Tools and Equipment List:
ITEM TOOL USE
T1 CUTTING MAT Protecting the carpet and table surfaces
T2 UTILITY KNIFE Cutting the cardboard for the model and costume
T3 RULER Measuring the sizes of the pieces to cut out
T4 PENCIL Marking out the shape and size of the pieces
T5 MARKER Darkening the pieces so they are easily seen
ITEM QTY PART NAME
P1 2 BODY
P2 1 HEAD
P3 1 TAIL
P4 1 CAUDAL FIN
P5 1 DORSAL FIN
P6 2 SHOULDER STRAP
Step 1: Making The Body
Making the Body:
1. Lay the cardboard for the body (S1) on top of the cutting mat (T1) so you do not cut the surface underneath the cardboard.
2. Use the ruler (T3) to measure out the shape of the part and mark out the shape with pencil. (T4)
>Draw a 40" by 18" rectangle with the pencil. (T4)
>Draw a 3" by 6" tab 6" from each corner on the shorter side of the rectangle with the pencil. (T4)
3. Trace over the shape you just drew with a marker. (T5)
4. Cut out the shape with a utility knife. (T2)
(Repeat steps 1-4 on a second piece of cardboard)
5. Choose a piece of cardboard to be body piece 1 (P1) and another to be body piece 2 (P1).
6. On body pieces 1 and 2 (P1), draw and measure a 6" slit six inches from each corner on the opposite side of the flap you created with a pencil (T4) and the ruler. (T3)
7. Trace over the slits with a marker (T5) and cut with the utility knife. (T2)
8. On piece 1 and 2 (P1), measure an 8" slit with the ruler (T3) 5 inches from the top and bottom and 1" from the front and center.
9. Use the ruler (T3) to score the center of each body piece (P1).
10. Use the ruler (T3) to measure two 3" slots.