Freezer Paper Skeleton Costume

Make a skeleton costume using freezer paper and paint.

Materials:
black long sleeve shirt
leggings or long johns
white fabric paint
freezer paper
pencil
iron
glow-in-the-dark fabric paint (optional)

Step 1 Draw the bones

Draw some basic bone shapes on the papery (not plastic-y) side of the freezer paper.

This really doesn't take artistic skill. There are lots of sites online that have anatomy graphics, and you can use these as a guide. Simple is really just fine. (Check out the skeletons in the daft punk Around the World video if you want to see what I mean.)

What you do want to know is about how big the costume wearer's bones are, you wouldn't want your skeleton's knee to bend mid- hip, for example. Have the person who will wear the costume try on the black shirt and leggings. Measure how wide and long the hips, upper leg, lower leg, torso, and arms are. Mark the wearer's knees and elbows with safety pins. Use these measurements to create your bones.

For bones that have a separate right and left pieces (arms, legs) you might want to draw one bone, then flip it over and use it as a symmetrical template for the opposite side of the body.

Comments

[tlacko]

After you remove the stencils, does the wax paper leave a residue? Do I have to wash the piece after painting?

[tumblingblocks]

No, no need to wash it. There is no noticeable residue.

[BeyondKarma]

Just finished mine for this year (10/28/10) Unreal idea but a lot more work than i thought. however being 6'6" means i needed more ribs and dang they are hard to cut. Also my stencils would not adhere te the waffle fabric i was using but the product is still great. can't wait to put this on!!

[porcupinemamma]

Rockin' Instructable!! Way to go. Thanks for sharing! BTW, can you please tell me, is "freezer paper" labeled as that or is it also referred to by another name?

[softballch1k99]

cute haha love the little girls hair

[ArtisticBabe]

I had no idea freezer paper stuck to fabric when ironed, how amazing! This would have cut hours and hours of t-shirt stenciling work for me!

[container_gardener]

I love this idea. I'm studying to be an x-ray tech, and this would be a fun costume for work on Halloween (if costumes are allowed). I especially like the glow in the dark paint idea.

[fungirlsun]

great idea~ thanks for the instructions!

[☮dontshootstars☮]

thats smart looks like you saved couple bucks you mothers will be happy :]

[andyhuntdesigns]

super cute! great "ible".

[Shifrin]

Thats a sweet costume! but where can I find frezer paper?

[tumblingblocks]

you can find it at the grocery. It will be in the same aisle as aluminum foil and plastic baggies.

[Shifrin]

Thanks, but I wont be using it for this... but this costume is Great!

[Jacreate]

The costume has scoliosis, but way to be there for your childrenses.