Don't Be a Crab This Halloween; Just Dress Like One!

       Don’t have much space left in the closet? Fed up with stains and sometimes torn fabric? Tired of searching for the perfect Halloween costume? Well, search no longer! As a group project, my class was instructed to make a costume out of slotted cardboard.Each costume was to be marine themed and made of recyclable materials. By making this costume, you will not only look amazing on Halloween, but you will be helping the environment!
      In this particular project, I was in charge of creating the Blue Crab Slotted Cardboard Costume. In addition, I was responsible for researching the sizes of children costume sizes and assembling the works cited page. I was responsible for creating this Instructables page. First, we brainstormed ideas for a project. From there we began to compose drawings that would be the outline of the costume. After, we began cutting and creating our costume pieces, and eventually put them together.
      The costume was to be made completely of recycled materials. In addition, tape, glue, or any other non-recyclable materials were not allowed to be used. The group also had to create a portfolio, which was composed of brainstorming, developmental, orthographic, and other drawings. The portfolio included a background, rationale, and other documents vital to the project.

Step 1: Materials

Supplies :

Cardboard (S1)
     Size: 9'X5'

Tools and Equipment:
     Cutting mat (T1)
     Utility Knife (T2)
     Ruler (T3)
     Pencil (T4)
     Sharpie (T5)

Parts:
     2 Body parts (P1)
     6 Legs (P2)
     2 Claws (P3)
     2 Shoulder Straps (P4)

Step 2: Sizes of Each Part

Body (P1)
     Length: 3 Feet
     Width: 1 Foot
     Details: The body has two slanted edges. The slanted edges are going to be at the end of the body. The body should be separated, but not cut into three sections. The first and last sections are where the cuts are going to be. The slants should meet at the 6 inch mark of the 1 foot width. The middle section is where you will fold. (See first picture)

Legs (P2)
     Length: 1 Foot.
     Width: 6 Inches
     Details: The thinnest part of the claw is 3 inches. The top line is 9 inches, and the bottom line is 4 inches. The diagonal lines are a bit complicated. The top diagonal line is 6 inches, and the bottom diagonal line is also 6 inches. At the tip where the two lines meet should be a 40 degree angle. (See second picture)

Claws (P3)
    Length: 1.25 Feet
    Width: 6 Inches
    Details: The thinnest part of the claw is 3 inches. The two lines that precede the curves are 9 inches long. The curves should stretch from the two 9 inch lines to the end of the 1.25 foot limit. From the curved lines, two straight lines should be drawn. The straight lines should meet at the 1 foot mark, and form a 40 degree angle. (See third picture)

Shoulder Straps (P4)
   Length: 2 Feet
   Width: 3 Inches
   Details: (See fourth picture)

Step 3: Step One: the Body

When drawing the body, begin with pencil (T4). Once the outline is finished, go over the pencil with a dark marker (T5), so the lines can easily be seen. Lay the cardboard with the body outline on a cutting mat (T1), and use a utility knife (T2) to cut out the body (P1). Repeat this process until you have two body pieces.

Step 4: Step Two: the Legs

When drawing the legs (P2), begin with pencil (T4). Once the outline is finished, go over the pencil with a dark marker so the lines are easily seen (T5). Then place the cardboard containing the leg piece on a cutting mat (T1). Cut out the piece using a utility knife (T2). Repeat this process until you have six legs.

Step 5: Step Three: the Claws

When drawing the claws (P3), begin with pencil (T4). Once the outline of the claws are drawn, go over with a dark marker (T5) so that the lines can easily be seen. Place the cardboard containing the piece on a cutting mat (T1). Then use a utility knife (T2) to cut out the claws. Repeat this process until you have two claws.

Step 6: Step Four: the Shoulder Straps

When drawing the shoulder straps (P4), begin with pencil (T4). Once the outline of the shoulder straps are completed, go over with a dark marker (T5) so that the lines are easily seen. Place the cardboard containing the piece on a cutting mat (T1). Then use a utility knife (T2) to cut out the piece. Repeat this process until you have two shoulder straps.

Step 7: Step Five: Cutting the Shoulder Strap Slots

Once all parts are cut out, cut (T2) slots in body for shoulder straps (P4) (size and width dependent on person). Cut slots for both body pieces.

Step 8: Step Six: Inserting the Shoulder Straps

Insert one end of shoulder strap (P4) into one slot, and the other end into the other slot on the opposite body piece.

*Note: tape in picture was removed after picture was taken.

Step 9: Step Seven: Leg Slots

Cut out (T2) slots for the legs(P2) and claws (P3) . The width and size is dependent on how stiff you want the legs to be. Repeat this process for both sides of ONE of body pieces.

Step 10: Step Eight: Claw Slots

Cut out (T2)slots for the claws at the top TWO corners of the body (P1) piece in which you cut slots for the legs. The slots are next to the shoulder strap (P4) slots.