Arts >> Theater >> Theater Costumes

How to Make a Playing Card Costume

Putting on a costume is a great way to express your inherent personality and inner creativity. A costume can allow you to assume any role you wish from princess to pirate to president. Costumes can purchased or homemade. A homemade costume allows for lots of options. You can get complicated or go for a more straightforward look. A simple costume can be easily be put together from common household items to make you look like a walking playing card.

Things You'll Need

  • Pencil
  • White oak tag
  • Black markers
  • Shellac
  • Black cardboard
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Draw your chosen design in pencil on two large pieces of white oak tag. The design can be simple such an Ace of Spades or more complicated such as a King or Queen of Hearts. A good design should be clearly visible from a few feet away and take up all areas of the oak tag.

    • 2

      Color in the design on the oak tag with markers. Black will show up best against a white background.

    • 3

      Paint a coat of light shellac to the finished design to preserve it. The shellac will help the oak tag mimic the look of real playing cards.

    • 4

      Cut strips of black cardboard out that will fit over your shoulders. The strips should be wide enough so that they fit comfortably.

    • 5

      Attach the strips of cardboard to the two pieces of oak tag. You can use glue, tape or staples.

Theater Costumes

Related Categories