Hi all -
first off I want to say THANK YOU. I've had this thread open on my computer for the last 4 weeks straight, using your photos and ideas as models.
A few friends wanted to do an Alice-themed halloween, and I decided I'd finally get off my butt and make a costume from scratch this year. I wanted to make a card knight, and knew it shouldn't be TOO hard, but couldn't really think of what material to use or where to start.
+100 to the person who suggested Craft Foam. Michaels' Crafts in the US and also Hobby Lobby sell it in Red, although both stores carry a slightly different shade (I found this out halfway through when I ran out of foam). I've used 3mm foam for the whole costume, and since there is so much overlapping I haven't had any structural issues. Also, hot glue makes this stuff bond almost instantly and once it does you aren't getting it apart unless you rip it and ruin both pieces - just FYI.
Anyway, I wish I'd taken pictures along the way, but here's my finished result:
The effect I really wanted to go for was the "rusty/weathered" look that you can clearly see in all the movie screenshots above. To achieve this - (super simple) - I used a paint-pen (sharpie makes them, but every store has a house brand. it's a felt-tip and a barrel of paint that just saturates the tip when you 'pump' it).
Draw a thin line around the outside of each piece and quickly take a finger and smudge/smear it in random streaks. It gives the perfect 'dirty smudge' look for a rusty-old-metal effect.
The helmet I lucked out - I found a "sparta" helmet and faceplate at a costume shop for $8, sprayed it red and glued foam to the front. It was simple enough to cut the rectangle for the eyes, and then mount some red LED Xmas lights to either side of the eyes. Added bonus: when the lights are on it creates more shadow around MY eyes, making me harder to see!
The back of the costume is currently drying. I found a reasonably large floral/fleur-de-lis stencil and used it for the back pattern. Not quite as intricate as the movie, but then again you can only see it in one or two shots so nobody will call me out on it
Also - yes, I know that there wasn't an Ace of Hearts card in the movie, but my name's Adam, so I essentially had to be the "A" card
Anyway, feel free to ask any questions if you like. Thanks so much again for the ideas!
~Adam, TX USA
first off I want to say THANK YOU. I've had this thread open on my computer for the last 4 weeks straight, using your photos and ideas as models.
A few friends wanted to do an Alice-themed halloween, and I decided I'd finally get off my butt and make a costume from scratch this year. I wanted to make a card knight, and knew it shouldn't be TOO hard, but couldn't really think of what material to use or where to start.
+100 to the person who suggested Craft Foam. Michaels' Crafts in the US and also Hobby Lobby sell it in Red, although both stores carry a slightly different shade (I found this out halfway through when I ran out of foam). I've used 3mm foam for the whole costume, and since there is so much overlapping I haven't had any structural issues. Also, hot glue makes this stuff bond almost instantly and once it does you aren't getting it apart unless you rip it and ruin both pieces - just FYI.
Anyway, I wish I'd taken pictures along the way, but here's my finished result:
The effect I really wanted to go for was the "rusty/weathered" look that you can clearly see in all the movie screenshots above. To achieve this - (super simple) - I used a paint-pen (sharpie makes them, but every store has a house brand. it's a felt-tip and a barrel of paint that just saturates the tip when you 'pump' it).
Draw a thin line around the outside of each piece and quickly take a finger and smudge/smear it in random streaks. It gives the perfect 'dirty smudge' look for a rusty-old-metal effect.
The helmet I lucked out - I found a "sparta" helmet and faceplate at a costume shop for $8, sprayed it red and glued foam to the front. It was simple enough to cut the rectangle for the eyes, and then mount some red LED Xmas lights to either side of the eyes. Added bonus: when the lights are on it creates more shadow around MY eyes, making me harder to see!
The back of the costume is currently drying. I found a reasonably large floral/fleur-de-lis stencil and used it for the back pattern. Not quite as intricate as the movie, but then again you can only see it in one or two shots so nobody will call me out on it
Also - yes, I know that there wasn't an Ace of Hearts card in the movie, but my name's Adam, so I essentially had to be the "A" card
Anyway, feel free to ask any questions if you like. Thanks so much again for the ideas!
~Adam, TX USA
