Introduction: Flat Pack Cardboard Costume: Sammy the Squid
Introduction:
Finding a costume for any occasion can be extremely difficult. Some may not like to buy into the idea of Halloween turning into a holiday for the benefit of corporations, others may be opposed to the throw-away nature of the holiday, and many may just want an original home made costume. This costume was the result of a school project. The students designed and built marine themed costumes out of cardboard. The costumes are cost-effective and "green." Each group was required to choose a theme for their line of costumes. This squid costume was created for a line of invertebrate costumes.
Design Brief:
To design and build a marine-themed, cardboard costume for middle school children. This costume must be of slotted construction and not use adhesives or fasteners.
Specifications:
- Must be cardboard
- Must fit middle school children
- Must use slotted construction
- Must be marine themed
- Must be environmentally-friendly
- Must be useable both indoors and outdoors with minimal adult supervision
- Must be able to assemble and disassemble relatively quickly
Limitations:
- Must be made of cardboard
- Must not use fasteners or adhesives
Supply List
ITEM MATERIAL DESCRIPTION QTY SIZE REMARKS - PART
S1 Cardboard 2-ply 2 6’x 3’ Used for panels
S2 Cardboard- Tri-wall 1 2’x’2 Used for connectors
Tools and Equipment list
ITEM TOOL USE
T1 CUTTING MAT Protective surface for cutting on
T2 UTILITY KNIFE Cutting Cardboard
T3 RULER Measuring distances and dimensions
T4 PENCIL Sketching and Tracing shapes to be cut out
T5 CIRCLE TEMPLATE To draw circles
OR COMPASS
Step 1: Part P1: Front Panel
1. Draw Squid shape using pencil (T4) onto cardboard (S1.)
2. Cut out shape using Utility Knife (T2) on Cutting Mat (T1.)
3. Trace face hole and connector slots onto shape using pencil (T4.)
4. Cut out face hole and connector slots using Utility Knife (T2) on Cutting Mat (T1.)
Step 2: Part P2: Back Panel
1. Draw Squid shape using pencil (T4) onto cardboard (S1.)
2. Cut out shape using Utility Knife (T2) on Cutting Mat (T1.)
3. Trace connector slots onto shape using pencil (T4.)
4. Cut out connector slots using Utility Knife (T2) on Cutting Mat (T1.)
Step 3: Part P3: Shoulder Connectors
1. Measure width of wearer using Ruler (T3)
2. Add two inches to measurement and trace a box with this length and a width of 4 ½ inches on Cardboard (S2) using Pencil (T4)
3. Trace a curve onto the bottom of this box for shoulder comfort using pencil (T4)
4. Trace a slot an inch from each end of this box on the top and draw a curve from the upper, outside corner of these slots to the bottom of the box using a pencil (T4). These slots should extend two inches down.
5. Cut out traced shape using Utility Knife (T2) on a cutting mat (T1.)
Step 4: Part P4: Bottom Connectors
1. Measure width of wearer using Ruler (T3)
2. Add two inches to measurement and trace a box with this length and a width of 4 ½ inches on Cardboard (S2) using Pencil (T4)
3. Trace a slot an inch from each end of this box on the top and draw a curve from the upper, outside corner of these slots to the bottom of the box using a pencil (T4).These slots should extend two inches down.
4. Cut out traced shapes using Utility Knife (T2) on a cutting mat (T1.)
Step 5: Assembly: Part List
PART LIST
ITEM QTY PART NAME
P1 1 Front Panel
P2 1 Back Panel
P3 2 Shoulder Connectors
P4 2 Bottom Connectors
Step 6:
1. Insert Shoulder Connectors (P3) into upper slots on Front Panel (P1) and Back Panel (P2.)
2. Slide partially assembled costume over wearer.
3. Insert Bottom Connectors (P4) into lower slots on Front Panel (P1) and Back Panel (P2.)
