Costume Instructions
Prep Time: several hours
Costume Materials
Scrap lumber and screws/nails for the frame, chicken wire, work gloves, wire cutters / tin snips, old newspapers, flour, water, spray paint, old jeans, staplegun and staples, cheap presidential masks (easily found online for use in elementary school "history" productions), white and black face makeup.
Costume Instructions
To begin making Mount Rushmore, you first need to build a simple box frame out of some scrap lumber. This frame will be used to support the chicken wire (base mesh for the paper-mache) and the shoulder straps for wearing purposes. Next, using the staplegun, attach chicken wire to your frame and mold into a large mountain shape (NOTE: wear work gloves!). Using the wire cutters, cut an opening in the chicken wire where your head would go. Also figure out where to place the presidential masks and attach them to the chicken wire as well. I poked holes in the masks and tied small pieces of string to hold them in place, though you could easily use tape or zip ties instead (the masks will be held in place by the paper mache in a couple steps, so this doesn't need to be extremely strong). Next, rip up a bunch of old newspaper into 2 inch wide strips. Mix up a batch of paper mache paste by combining 1 part flour and 2 parts water and mixing by hand until it has the consistency of thick glue. Start applying paper mache to the chicken wire mountain mold by dipping a newspaper strip in the paste and "squeeging" off any excess paste and then laying it upon the mesh. Overlap successive strips overtop of each other in random orientations (this increases the strength of the final paper mache). Overlap strips onto the edges of the masks as well as wrapping around the opening of the head hole. Let the paper mache dry thoroughly. Examine the strength of the paper mache, and apply a second layer of strips to any weak spots on the mountain. While the paper mache dries, you can cut a couple long strips of denim from some old jeans. We will use thes as shoulder straps later. After final drying, it is time to apply paint. I used a simple gray spray paint, overlayed with a "rock" texture spray paint. After the paint has dried, we can attach the shoulder straps to the front of the frame and then use an assistant to adjust the length of the straps so that the mountain "floats" on your shoulders with your head properly placed in the hole. Attach the straps to the back of the frame as well. Finally, for presentation, cover your face with white makeup followed by blending a fingertip of black makeup. This should create a nice deep grap "rock" color upon your face. Try to match your mountain color as best you can. Head on out to your favorite party (doorways sometimes need to be taken sideways)! Enjoy everyone coming up to you and telling you how amazing your costume is!
