Quick PVC Halloween Mannequin

Learn to make an easy and imposing Halloween mannequin from PVC for about $6. It packs flat (doesn't add to your clutter), and holds costumes in ways sure to get a lot of attention from your halloween audience.

Once materials are gathered you can make this in about ten minutes, and kids can help!

See www.creatrope.com
for contributed photos, more detailed instructions, variations on this theme, PVC resources, and links to other PVC mannequins.

Some of my Halloween work is also in other instructables:
Godzilla / T-Rex
General Grievous with Mechanical Arms

Step 1 Gather PVC Materials

# three six foot tubes of 1/2" PVC (~$1.50 each)
# one bag of 1/2" slip elbows (not threaded) (~$3 for ten)
# one bag of 1/2" slip t-joints (not threaded) (~$2 for ten)
# a PVC tube cutter if you don't have one (~$8)
# PVC cement (~$4)
# optional: roll of black plastic contractors plastic to cover frame ($13)
# optional: polyester fiber fill (from a craft store) ($5)

Lots of costume components! Masks, capes, clothing, etc.

Comments

[Gareee]

While the design is nice, the result is VERY flimsy. Ours falls over if you sneeze at it, and can't even support the fabric costume with the arms posed foreward.

I'm going to try to duplicate this with 1" pvc pipe, and see if that is stable enough for practical use.

I think the design is sound, its just that 1/2" pvc pip flexes far too much.

[X_D_3_M_1]

in my mind i see a target holder...

[isketch93]

lol, in my mind I see that mannequin AS a target!

[nave]

the first one looks, flat but the 2nd one looks awesome

[joeG65]

Nice idea, but the cutting measurements would have come in handy. JoeG65

[orksecurity]

Nice concept, and I may borrow it to make my usual costume a display piece when not being worn... ... but dimensions (even approximate -- toss a ruler next to the base when taking the photo) would be appreciated. I can guess, but...

[socrateez]

You could also replace the "Elbows" with 45 degree ones instead of 90 degrees for different posing.

[John Smith]

Great idea! I never thought of using PVC, come to think of it, it is like perfect for this!
I just found this, and thought someone might find it of use.

[tiuk]

Excellent idea.