Materials Sourcing and Preparation: E.t. Costume Diy
E.t. costume diy – Creating an E.T. costume is a fun and rewarding project! The key to a successful E.T. lies in choosing the right materials and preparing them effectively. Remember,Alamak!* a little bit of creativity goes a long way! We’ll explore different materials, their pros and cons, and how to get them ready.
Material Selection and Cost Comparison
Several materials can be used to create an E.T. costume, each offering a different balance of cost-effectiveness and ease of use. For the body, consider using materials like beige fleece, light brown felt, or even a stretchy knit fabric for a more comfortable fit. Fleece is relatively inexpensive and easy to work with, making it a good option for beginners.
Felt provides a stiffer, more structured look, while knit fabric offers flexibility and comfort. For the head, consider using a papier-mâché base covered with the same material as the body or a pre-made foam ball for a quicker construction. Remember to factor in the cost of additional materials like glue, thread, and any embellishments. A simple fleece-based costume could cost around $20-$30, while a more elaborate felt or knit version might reach $40-$60.
Papier-mâché is a very budget-friendly option if you already have the base materials on hand.
Material Preparation Techniques
Preparing the materials involves several steps. First, measure and cut the fabric according to your pattern. For fleece, you might only need to pre-wash it to prevent shrinkage. Felt generally doesn’t require pre-treatment. If using knit fabric, consider pre-shrinking it to avoid any unpleasant surprises later.
For the papier-mâché head, you’ll need to create the base by layering strips of newspaper or paper towels soaked in a mixture of water and flour paste. Let this dry completely before proceeding to the next step. Shaping the materials might involve stuffing the body with cotton or polyester filling for a plump look. The head needs careful shaping to create E.T.’s characteristic features.
Essential Tools and Resources
Having the right tools makes the process much smoother. Here’s a list to get you started.
| Tool | Purpose | Source | Cost Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scissors | Cutting fabric and other materials | Craft store, online retailer | $5-$15 |
| Sewing Machine (or needle and thread) | Stitching fabric pieces together | Craft store, online retailer | $20-$100 (machine), $5 (needle and thread) |
| Pins | Holding fabric pieces in place before sewing | Craft store, online retailer | $3-$5 |
| Fabric Glue | Adhering felt or other non-fabric elements | Craft store, online retailer | $5-$10 |
| Measuring Tape | Taking body measurements for pattern making | Craft store, hardware store | $2-$5 |
| Pattern Paper (or newspaper) | Creating a pattern for the costume | Craft store, home | $5-$10 (pattern paper), Free (newspaper) |
| Stuffing (cotton or polyester fiberfill) | Filling the costume for shape | Craft store, online retailer | $5-$15 |
| Paint (Brown, Beige) | Adding details to the face and other elements | Craft store, online retailer | $5-$10 |
| Paintbrushes | Applying paint to the costume | Craft store, online retailer | $3-$8 |
Constructing the E.T. Head and Body
Creating E.T.’s iconic look is a fun and rewarding project! Remember, the key is to capture his endearingly quirky features. We’ll guide you through crafting a head that’s both recognizable and charming, followed by options for assembling his body. Let’s get crafting, ya!
The construction process hinges on carefully shaping the materials to achieve E.T.’s distinctive features. This involves paying close attention to detail, especially in replicating the texture and wrinkles of his face. The body construction, on the other hand, offers a choice between a comfortable jumpsuit approach or a more intricate method using separate pieces.
E.T. Head Construction, E.t. costume diy
Creating E.T.’s head requires a pattern that captures his oversized, slightly elongated shape and those endearingly large eyes. A simple approach is to draft a pattern based on an oval shape, slightly wider at the top and tapering down towards the chin. Remember to add ample allowance for seams. Consider using a lightweight, flexible material like felt or a thin cotton fabric.
This will allow for easy shaping and manipulation during construction. Once the pattern is cut, carefully stitch the pieces together, leaving an opening for stuffing. Use polyester fiberfill to achieve a plump, yet slightly pliable, head.
To achieve E.T.’s signature wrinkles, consider using a technique called “pleating” or “gathering.” Before stuffing the head, create small, evenly spaced pleats or gathers along the forehead, cheeks, and around the eyes. Secure these with hand stitching. For a more realistic texture, you can apply a thin layer of fabric glue or starch to the surface, letting it dry to set the wrinkles.
Finally, add the large, dark eyes using felt, buttons, or even purchased craft eyes. You can even add a few stitches to create the delicate lines around his mouth.
E.T. Body Construction: Jumpsuit Method
The jumpsuit method is the simplest approach. This involves creating a loose-fitting, full-body garment from a stretchy material such as a light-weight knit fabric. The jumpsuit should be oversized and comfortable to allow for easy movement. You can add simple details like long sleeves and pant legs, ensuring a comfortable fit. The advantage of this method lies in its simplicity and ease of wear.
Simply sew the jumpsuit together, ensuring a comfortable fit, and then add details like E.T.’s signature oversized fingers and toes using felt or fabric scraps.
E.T. Body Construction: Separate Pieces Method
This method involves creating separate pieces for the body: a loose-fitting shirt, pants, and gloves. The advantage of this method lies in its potential for greater detail and customizability. Each piece can be constructed individually, allowing for a more precise fit and the incorporation of more intricate details. For example, you could add texture to the shirt to mimic E.T.’s slightly bumpy skin, or create separate fingers for the gloves to allow for more expressive hand movements.
The extra effort invested results in a costume that’s more accurate and visually appealing. However, remember to consider the fit and comfort of wearing separate pieces.
Crafting an E.T. costume involves replicating its iconic large head and expressive eyes. The challenge lies in achieving the right texture and color; consider contrasting materials to mimic the alien’s unique appearance, perhaps even drawing inspiration from the contrasting textures found in a salt and pepper costumes diy project, where the juxtaposition of fine and coarse materials creates a similar visual effect.
Returning to E.T., remember that subtle shading can significantly enhance the realism of your creation.
Illustrative Examples and Variations
Creating an E.T. costume is a wonderfully creative endeavor! Let’s explore some exciting variations, focusing on sustainable practices and adjustments for different sizes. Remember, the joy lies in the process and the unique personality you bring to your alien friend!
Adapting the E.T. design opens up a world of possibilities, from eco-friendly constructions to perfectly sized versions for little ones. We’ll delve into specific examples, showing how easy it is to personalize your E.T. and make it truly your own.
E.T. Costume from Recycled Materials
This sustainable E.T. costume uses materials found around the house and repurposed items to minimize environmental impact. The head can be crafted from a large, sturdy cardboard box, painted brown and textured with crumpled brown paper bags glued onto the surface for a realistic, craggy appearance. The eyes are made from repurposed plastic bottle caps, painted white and then black pupils are added.
For the body, a large, oversized brown sweater can be used, stuffed with old fabric scraps or even plastic bags to give it shape. The long, slender fingers are fashioned from brown pipe cleaners or even recycled cardboard tubes, covered with brown fabric. The costume is secured with repurposed belts and straps. This approach demonstrates how creativity and sustainability can go hand-in-hand.
Child-Sized E.T. Costume
Creating a child-sized E.T. costume requires careful scaling down of the original design. The head should be proportionally smaller, and the overall body dimensions must suit the child’s height and build. Instead of a large sweater, a smaller brown hoodie or even a child’s brown long-sleeved shirt could serve as the body. The oversized hands and feet would need to be miniaturized; smaller pipe cleaners or felt could be used.
The length of the fingers and the size of the feet would need to be adjusted to maintain the E.T. proportions but scaled down for a child. This emphasizes the importance of careful measurements and adjustments for a comfortable and accurate representation.
Alternative Materials and Techniques
The following list showcases diverse materials and techniques that can be employed in constructing different parts of the E.T. costume:
Choosing the right materials and techniques allows for a personalized and unique E.T. costume. The possibilities are vast, allowing for a truly bespoke creation.
- Head: Papier-mâché (using newspaper and glue), a repurposed helmet, a sculpted clay base (for more advanced crafters).
- Body: Oversized brown clothing items (sweaters, shirts), a brown blanket draped and secured, a tailored fabric bodysuit.
- Fingers: Pipe cleaners, cardboard tubes, fabric-covered wire, sculpted foam.
- Eyes: Plastic bottle caps, ping pong balls, painted buttons, craft foam.
- Skin Texture: Crumpled paper, fabric scraps, textured paint, faux fur.
FAQ Overview
How long does it take to make an E.T. costume?
The time required varies depending on your skill level and the complexity of your design. Expect to spend anywhere from a few hours to several days.
Can I make an E.T. costume without a sewing machine?
Yes, many methods utilize glue, fabric tape, and other no-sew techniques, particularly for simpler designs. However, a sewing machine can make the process significantly faster and more precise.
Where can I find affordable materials?
Thrift stores, fabric remnant shops, and online marketplaces often offer cost-effective alternatives to purchasing new materials.
What is the best material for E.T.’s skin?
A light brown or beige fleece or felt works well, allowing for easy shaping and texturing.