Introduction: Cool Cardboard Clam Costume
At school we were recently assigned a project where we designed and created a cardboard halloween costume. This costume had to be made out of slotted construction and also had to have a marine theme. I chose to make a clam costume. During this process we had to design the costume on paper, trace them onto cardboard pieces, and then finally assembling them. I had many different ideas while creating this idea, but i finally came up with the best solution which is diagrammed here in my instructable.
Design Brief: I was part of a group with five members, our task was to design five costumes with a common marine theme using the method of slotted construction. My task in this group was to design and produce a clam costume out of slotted construction.
Specifications:
- The costume must be able be able to be worn by a middle school sized child
- The costume must be a Halloween costume or a stage costume
- The costume must be flat pack construction (flat parts that can easily be folded and assembled)
Limitations:
- The costume must strictly be made of cardboard
- No staples or adhesive may be used
- The costume must be only slotted construction
- The costume must be flat pack construction
- The cardboard for this costume must be easily obtainable
Material List
- (S1) Cardboard Top Shell Piece, size 18" by 21", Qty 1. Can be made out of the back of a trifold board.
- (S2) Cardboard Bottom Shell Piece, size 20" by 25", Qty 1. Can be made out of half of a speaker box.
- (T1) Cutting Mat, to make cutting easier and to protect the cutting surface.
- (T2) Utility Knife, to cut the cardboard.
- (T3) Ruler, to make straight lines.
- (T4) Pencil, to mark cuts
NOTE: 2 ply cardboard may be better to use for this costume.
Parts List
- ( P1) Top Shell
- (P2) Bottom Shell
Design Brief: I was part of a group with five members, our task was to design five costumes with a common marine theme using the method of slotted construction. My task in this group was to design and produce a clam costume out of slotted construction.
Specifications:
- The costume must be able be able to be worn by a middle school sized child
- The costume must be a Halloween costume or a stage costume
- The costume must be flat pack construction (flat parts that can easily be folded and assembled)
Limitations:
- The costume must strictly be made of cardboard
- No staples or adhesive may be used
- The costume must be only slotted construction
- The costume must be flat pack construction
- The cardboard for this costume must be easily obtainable
Material List
- (S1) Cardboard Top Shell Piece, size 18" by 21", Qty 1. Can be made out of the back of a trifold board.
- (S2) Cardboard Bottom Shell Piece, size 20" by 25", Qty 1. Can be made out of half of a speaker box.
- (T1) Cutting Mat, to make cutting easier and to protect the cutting surface.
- (T2) Utility Knife, to cut the cardboard.
- (T3) Ruler, to make straight lines.
- (T4) Pencil, to mark cuts
NOTE: 2 ply cardboard may be better to use for this costume.
Parts List
- ( P1) Top Shell
- (P2) Bottom Shell
Step 1:
1. Start with a sheet of 2-ply cardboard. Mark off 18 inches for the bottom of the top shell(S1). Measure with a ruler (T3) and score with a pencil(T4) for the correct length.
2. Measure with the ruler(T3) 21 inches from the center of the bottom of the shell and mark it with a pencil(T4)
3. Draw rounded edges with a pencil (T4)
4. Use a utility knife(T2) to cut out the shape where the designated lines were drawn
2. Measure with the ruler(T3) 21 inches from the center of the bottom of the shell and mark it with a pencil(T4)
3. Draw rounded edges with a pencil (T4)
4. Use a utility knife(T2) to cut out the shape where the designated lines were drawn
Step 2: Construction of the Bottom Shell
1. Start with a sheet of 2-ply cardboard. Mark off 20 inches for the bottom of the bottom shell(S2). Measure with a ruler (T3) and score with a pencil(T4) for the correct length.
2. Measure with the ruler(T3) 25 inches from the center of the bottom of the shell and mark it with a pencil(T4)
3. Draw rounded edges with a pencil (T4)
4. Use a utility knife(T2) to cut out the shape where the designated lines were drawn
5. Measure 5 inches from the bottom of the shell with the ruler(T3) then mark it with a pencil(T4)
6. From the mark you make in step 5 measure 10 inches from that point with a ruler (T3)
7. Draw rounded edges with a pencil(T4)
8. Use a utility knife(T2) to cut out the shape where the designated lines were drawn
9. Measure 2 and ½ inches from the bottom of the shell and mark with a pencil(T4)
10. From this point measure horizontally with a ruler(T3) 18 and ½ inches
11. Use a utility knife(T2) to cut out the shape where the designated lines were drawn
2. Measure with the ruler(T3) 25 inches from the center of the bottom of the shell and mark it with a pencil(T4)
3. Draw rounded edges with a pencil (T4)
4. Use a utility knife(T2) to cut out the shape where the designated lines were drawn
5. Measure 5 inches from the bottom of the shell with the ruler(T3) then mark it with a pencil(T4)
6. From the mark you make in step 5 measure 10 inches from that point with a ruler (T3)
7. Draw rounded edges with a pencil(T4)
8. Use a utility knife(T2) to cut out the shape where the designated lines were drawn
9. Measure 2 and ½ inches from the bottom of the shell and mark with a pencil(T4)
10. From this point measure horizontally with a ruler(T3) 18 and ½ inches
11. Use a utility knife(T2) to cut out the shape where the designated lines were drawn
Step 3: Assembly
1. Take the top shell(p1) and insert it into the slot that was made in the bottom shell(p2)
For more information see the following attached file.
For more information see the following attached file.
