10/02/2011

Since I kind of agreed to go trick or treating with the BFF and her son this year at my complex I had to think of a costume. I’m cheap as is, and I’m totally broke so I figured I’d try to make something or do something cheap and easy.

First thought was just be a zombie. Take the ripped paint splattered jeans, and old tshirt, some make up and ZOMBIE. Then I remembered that years ago I did it, and while I looked totally awesome I rather not re-use an idea I’ve already done.

Back to the idea board. The only thing I could think of was to be something from Xena. But no way in hell I’d be caught wearing anything that revealing. Being an Amazon would be awesome, but a mini skirt and bikini top? Hells no. Then I was all… why not be a Greek soldier? A hoplite? Okay… I could do that. 90% of me would be covered in armor. So it would kind of skirt like since they didn’t wear pants but I could put shorts under it and be comfy enough. Now how to make armor?

CARDBOARD! Found a totally awesome site:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Roman-esque-soldier-uniform—from-cardboard!/

Now, I don’t know if I’ll make the helmet. If I do I won’t have the fringe-y mop thing on top. That’s too much effort. Also I know the Greek hoplites normally used a large spear, and the sword was a secondary weapon. So, I may just say I was in a bloody battle. (Maybe I’ll go all out and get some effects make sup and add some blood and battle wounds). I lost my helmet and spear in the battle. Yeah.

I’m not sure about the cape too. As far as I can tell the cape was a Roman thing more than Greek. So I’m probably saying no to the cape.

Also planning on making the thigh armor (I will not call it a skirt) all one piece if I can. Or two pieces. I don’t really want to cut individual strands shall we say. I can’t  see why it’s not possible.  And I had the brilliant idea of using a pair of suspenders to help hold it up. Not sure how it’ll look really, but seems to be the easiest way I can think of.

And I plan to actually make a sword not use a cheap plastic one. I have some wood I’m going to use for the base/interior and then use cardboard for the outside of it, and put foam into the bits where there’s no wood to give it the same depth. I have plenty of cardboard, oodles of it. Found some old belts to use for straps. Go to the dollar store and thrift store for odds n’ ends. Like a giant tshirt to use for a tunic. I’m guessing I can get a way with less than 10 bucks for all the materials I need that I don’t have.

I’ve never actually made anything before. Not like extensive. Good thing I have a month to do it. I’m doing as much planning as I can first off. Getting the proper ideas in my heads and even on paper. This is going to be a bigger undertaking then I’m probably capable of. But it might be fun. And then I can after I can run around the house in my armor. 😀