6th Grade Wax Museum
Below is a list of suggestions and costuming ideas for many of the historical figures being
represented in the museum on Monday, Feb 14th. The web is also an excellent source for tutorials
and step by step instructions on constructing your own costumes.
Where to shop for supplies:
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Goodwill - – A good placed to buy used clothing at discounted prices located next to
Sportime USA and across from the Westchester Skating Academy in Elmsford.
Michael’s Arts & Crafts – They sell just about any craft item you need. Call ahead to
be sure.
Office Supply Store – Oak tag paper, cardboard (if you can’t find a box), packing
material like cellophane tape etc.
Hardware store – Duct tape, masking tape, rope, cord, spray paint etc.
Your home – Ask mom and dad permission to use any old clothing and be sure they
won’t want it back! Jackets, hats, boots, scarves can all have a second life in the
museum.
Where to search for ideas:
The internet is an excellent source. Here are a few I’ve found over the course of the last few days:
Swords, Battle Axe, Shields, Armor etc. – Most battle armor can be created from cardboard
(usually free) and/or oak tag sold at office supply stores. Below are websites and instruction videos
to visit with permission from your parents. Take a look a get creative!
Battle Axe:
Copy and Paste - http://www.stormthecastle.com/Things/make-a-cardboard-battleaxe-or-polearm.htm
Armor:
Video tutorial on You Tube – How to make a 300 Spartan Chest Piece – (use these ideas to
create arms bands and shin covers as well) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyGEXhC2MFw&feature=fvsr
Website (Great!) - http://talisweb.com/halloween/armor.shtml
Shields:
http://www.stormthecastle.com/how-to-make-a/how-to-make-cardboard-shields.htm
Historical Figures
Several students have handed in index cards with a description of the character you represent and
some costuming ideas for that character. Below is a list of those characters with some suggestions
on how to create the costume or a piece of the costume.
Alexander the Great:
Maroon or Red cape – Almost any dress can be cut apart and repurposed. Bed sheets make a great
material for this
Chest Armor, Leg Armor & Shield – See Website Sheet - Cardboard and oak tag are great materials
for these. Several students have begun this process and it’s not too late. Once it’s cut out, cover in
HEAVY DUTY aluminum foil (use clear cellophane packing tape to hold foil together). If you prefer a
gold, purchase gold metallic spray sold at craft stores and spray lightly over aluminum foil
Catherine the Great:
Can’t find or make an elaborate gown? Buy some pearls at the party store and weave
them into your hair. Make a royal sash with any blue fabric (use old clothing), felt or
with poster paper and cover with blue duct tape sold at hardware stores.
Sir Francis Drake: Ruffled collar made of paper, baseball pants for trousers, soccer socks pulled all
the way past the knee, large men’s white button down shirt with the collar cut off,
Mary Tudor: Make a headpiece with cardboard and glue. I have a pattern, fabric & trim
to choose from so you provide the cardboard and glue
Ivan the Terrible: Make a scepter from an old broom handle or pick up a
wooden dowel from a hardware store and paint. Cover a baseball cap with the
brim cut off with fake fur.
Genghis Khan: See armor ideas. Make hat with baseball cap, cut off brim and cover bottom edge
with fake fur. Attach a piece of fabric with glue to inside edge of cap long enough to reach your
shoulders. Sword out of cardboard – see sword instructions above. Use black eyeliner to draw
mustache on your face.
Hannibal: See all armor ideas
Francisco Pizarro - See Armor ideas. Purchase a feather from craft store, hat from home or
Goodwill. Red cape can be made from another red garment or from the fabric at school.
Cixi - We have several trims and notions you may choose from at school to decorate
an elaborate headpiece you’ve cut out of cardboard or oak tag. Decorate with many
things like party pearls purchased at the party store.
Napoleon - Black hat made from oak tag, dark jacket decorated with trim from school, A red sash cut
from another red garment, black baseball pants and soccer socks, men’s white shirt.
Henry VIII – A plain dress cut above the knee, stuffed in the belly with a t-shirt or any extra clothing,
tights, an oversize robe with shoulder pads underneath. Know anyone with a fur coat? You can even
borrow football gear if you can. Purchase a hat from goodwill to decorate with trim from school.
Julius Caesar – White flat sheet, gold leaves (or spray any leaves gold), armor – see armor above
Robespierre – White judges wig purchased from costume store or party store, dark
jacket, baseball pants and matching soccer socks, White ascot tie made from white tshirt.
Leopold – White baseball pants and matching soccer or baseball socks, short
blue or red jacket purchased at goodwill trimmed with braiding & gold fabric from
school, blue sash cut from another garment, draw sideburns with black eyeliner
Attila the Hun – baseball cap with brim cut off covered with fabric from school and
trimmed with fake fur, sword from cardboard, mustache drawn with eyeliner. Heavy
quilted jacket possibly from goodwill, sweatpants and boots.
Vlad the Impaler – Baseball cap covered in fabric trimmed with sliver fabric, overcoat, sword made
from coardboard, see instructions above.