Final costume updates, just in time!

October really got away from me this year. Between the wife out for her annual conference and a couple of long papers, I was hard pressed to find the time to finish everyone's costumes this year. But I got them done, just in time.

All the boy needed was an extra snap on his wings to make them fit a little tighter. I sewed a set onto this chest strap and viola, wings are ready.

The girl went back and forth on a couple of ideas this year, but once she realized she could dress up as Poppy her mind was made up. And with the right clothes already purchased there really wasn't much left for me to do for her.

Some white adhesive felt and viola, one Poppy dress.

It looks like it will at least stay dry for trick or treating if not warm, we'll see how everyone likes their costumes when they're squeezed on over more layers.

Costume updates

I had a day off coming, so not only was I able to get some more tape, I also had a flash of inspiration on how to add a tail to the wings. There was plenty of scrap (hooray) foam board after cutting the wing out, and two of them looked vaguely tail-like.

So why not put them together and tack on a tail?

This tail ended up changing shape slightly; I added a dorsal fin to tape over and give it some shape, but I also trimmed the sides down so it was less of a bee sting and more of a flight stabilizer.

Of course, once this was covered in tape it was less useful. 

Cut out a little notch to put it on and once I had more tape, it was ready to go on.

All it needs now is some elastic straps as arm bands, a bit of flame on the end and viola, one charizard costume.

Did this cost more than a store bought? Probably. But I have to say these wings look a lot better than the store bought ones. If the kids are into it, might as well give them something that wows 'em and makes it hard to walk through doors.

Forget energy drinks. Halloween gives you wings

The trouble with taking classes in October is that despite having some rather lengthy assignments due, I'd much rather sit down and work out how to make the boy his Charizard costume this month. So after cranking out some truly dreadful papers, I sat down to watch football and put some wings together.

With last week's plan, I figured if I found the right colored duct tape I could build some wings out of whatever and just cover them to make them match. So viola, two foam board zip-tied together to make wings.

Before I got too far into those, I wanted to put eyes, horns, and fangs on the hat I had picked up. Don't ask me why, but I got foam this year instead of felt, so things are a little stiffer to work with.

The horns are just paper covered in the duct tape, but they're staying on alright so far. The eyes could be a problem though.

Is this identifiable as a charizard? I'm not saying. 

The boy was happy though, so I moved onto the wings. I had a couple of different patterns in mind, but ultimately thought a simple one was better, and easier to keep symmetrical. I traced it on paper and then onto the board on both sides to cut out. Then it was time to duct tape. Thankfully I had some good football to watch this weekend.

The wife brought up a good point right about then, suggesting that a 6-year old walking with a 4-foot wingspan might be frowned upon at an elementary school. So I came up with the idea of bending the wings back and using a wire hanger to keep them in the same shape. Makes it look a little more natural but also lets him fit through doors. This is the kind of troubleshooting I love at halloween.

Couple of snips and we're in business. 

As much fun as I was having at this point, one roll of orange was not enough, so I'm in a holding pattern until I can find time to go hunting for a second one. But I need to get some elastic too to actually put the wings on anyway, so I will probably be going shopping soon.

All the girl needs at this point is white felt added to her pink and blue clothes we bought for her Poppy costume, so that might not get any photos until actually trick or treating. But I can't wait to finish these wings and see if we built an honest to goodness pokemon.