Hey all, since Halloween is just around the corner I thought I'd share the steps I took to make my "Animal Head Mask". I have added a wee list of all the items I used to achieve this - feel free to use your creativity to adapt them to create the perfect mask for you.
*Edit - Thanks for all the comments so far! When I started making this mask for our drummer's 21st birthday I never knew it would be so well received. Considering making another 3 - a bit of a tribute to "Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem". I've posted a link to my bands site below, if anyone has any suggestions for characters for the remaining members let me know (the more original the better). Would be ideal for our upcoming single release gig on Halloween. ;) Looking forward to posting more instructables very soon!
http://www.facebook.com/Estrellarocks
Cheers, Nath
The List:
1inch Foam (depending on type, as some are more durable then others) (Mask + Teeth)
Orange Felt
Red Felt
Black Felt
Purple Felt
Black Feather Boa
Crimson Feather Boa (Optional)
2 Large Styrofoam Balls
1 Medium Styrofoam Ball
Red Wool
Multi Coloured Wool (Own Preference)
Black Tights
Sewing Needle
Orange + Black Thread
Glue
Credit to: http://www.instructables.com/id/Animal-Costume-from-the-Muppets/ for the idea in which to try this!
*Edit - Thanks for all the comments so far! When I started making this mask for our drummer's 21st birthday I never knew it would be so well received. Considering making another 3 - a bit of a tribute to "Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem". I've posted a link to my bands site below, if anyone has any suggestions for characters for the remaining members let me know (the more original the better). Would be ideal for our upcoming single release gig on Halloween. ;) Looking forward to posting more instructables very soon!
http://www.facebook.com/Estrellarocks
Cheers, Nath
The List:
1inch Foam (depending on type, as some are more durable then others) (Mask + Teeth)
Orange Felt
Red Felt
Black Felt
Purple Felt
Black Feather Boa
Crimson Feather Boa (Optional)
2 Large Styrofoam Balls
1 Medium Styrofoam Ball
Red Wool
Multi Coloured Wool (Own Preference)
Black Tights
Sewing Needle
Orange + Black Thread
Glue
Credit to: http://www.instructables.com/id/Animal-Costume-from-the-Muppets/ for the idea in which to try this!
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Signing UpStep 1: The Basic Structure
Step one:
The main step in which to achieve this Muppet head is when inflating the size of the template! (First picture)
The template can also found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/41111968@N00/1763163362/in/set-72157602722672544/
One idea we did was to draw out the template on a small piece of paper so that you become comfortable with the shape and how it is held together. This way you can also experiment with shapes and size to create other Muppet characters!
1. Draw out the template either straight onto the foam or on a large piece of white paper (pictured) in case you fancy making more in the future! Template size really depends on the persons head. This will really have to be trail and error here.
2. Cut out the foam template then attach all the loose ends together. I opted to staple it together since the foam is thin enough to achieve this although feel free to use a glue gun or even sewing it!
3. By now it should start to look like a head shaped mask that can fit over your head (Pictured).
The main step in which to achieve this Muppet head is when inflating the size of the template! (First picture)
The template can also found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/41111968@N00/1763163362/in/set-72157602722672544/
One idea we did was to draw out the template on a small piece of paper so that you become comfortable with the shape and how it is held together. This way you can also experiment with shapes and size to create other Muppet characters!
1. Draw out the template either straight onto the foam or on a large piece of white paper (pictured) in case you fancy making more in the future! Template size really depends on the persons head. This will really have to be trail and error here.
2. Cut out the foam template then attach all the loose ends together. I opted to staple it together since the foam is thin enough to achieve this although feel free to use a glue gun or even sewing it!
3. By now it should start to look like a head shaped mask that can fit over your head (Pictured).
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Thanks to you I was, needless to say, the hit of the party.
Just wanted to drop a quick message to say that I'm planning on adding an extra step to the Instructable to show of everyone's finished Animal Heads they have created. I have been sent a couple already and see one an here, they just look amazing!
If you could send me the a finished picture of your Animal Head pic:
Nathan_thomas_gunn@hotmail.co.uk
I'll upload it here as well as add a link to your instructable site for a bit of promo if you would like also. Not forgetting a link to the new Muppets Movie site.
Thanks again to everyone for the comments and taken the time to give this a bash.
Nath.
Great project! I'm off to go buy some foam, but can you clarify one thing for me: in the list of stuff you used it says 1/2 inch foam, but looking at the pictures and comparing it to whats in the store it looks more like 1 inch. Can you clarify which you used/which you would suggest? the 1/2 inch doesn't look all that stiff.
Thanks!
Dave
Although you do get different types of foam, some or more durable than others, so you can get away with it being slightly thinner aka 1/2inch. The best plan of action would be to go for 1inch, and see how that feels in terms of durability, then from there it size can be adjusted.
Hope that helps. If you (or anybody) have any other questions feel free to give me a shout.
thanks, Nath
Hope that helps.
where does the pictured wire structure sit inside the mask? did you put the tights on after gluing the wires in place? i do not really understand :(
If you take the middle part of the wire structure and basically glue/tape that inside the mask from the middle of the top lip to the middle of the bottom lip then try putting the mask on. If the wire isn't hitting your nose but there's still a lot of room to play with try adding some more length or bend to the wire. Once you make the tweaks to the point you are able to out the mask on with minimal to no contact with the wire, then the next step is to take a longer piece of wire and basically tape/glue the end on from cheek to cheek making sure that it also get's attached to the wire you have already in place to the front of it. Again try the mask on once in place to make sure it does not hit your nose again.
The next stage is to stretch the tights right over the mouth making sure you give up enough slack for them to hit the back of your wire structure that is in place. You will find it easier to peg the tights to the top and bottom lip as you are doing this, again making sure there is some slack on for the tights to hit the back of the structure.
Once you have it pegged in place again try the mask on and make sure it does not hit your nose (have said that quite a lot now :P )
Next step is to glue on the top lip from the inside and again for the bottom lip. I found it easier to do it in stages - unpegging to add the glue and adding the peg to help the glue set.
Once the glue has set REMOVE the wire structure. You should now be able to wear your mask without your nose protruding from the mouth.
Hope these instructions are more helpful. If not please let me know and I'll do my best to add some visual instructions.
Good luck, Nath
AMAZING!
All the supplies cost me around £25, although I did phone up my local furniture supply store regarding the foam. They were only too happy to give me what I needed as they had loads waiting to be dumped. I can't promise that would be the case where you are, but you might get lucky.
Any other questions feel free to give me a shout.
Thanks, Nath.