How to Make a Crescent Moon for a Backdrop

A crescent moon shape adds a theme to a plain black or blue backdrop.

Backdrops are useful in creating a scenic background for photographs at special occasions, such as a prom, wedding or family gathering. They are also helpful in creating a background for a play. Using a crescent moon for a black or blue backdrop gives it the appearance of a night sky. This creates a romantic or mysterious ambiance. Making a crescent moon shape is inexpensive and takes little time if you use the right supplies and tools.

Things You'll Need

• Paraffin block or old candle
• Serrated knife
• Colored marker or sharpened pencil
• Foam disc or foam sheet
• Scissors
• Clear fishing string
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks or craft glue
• Strong tape
• Self-adhesive hook and loop closure
• Newspapers (optional)
• Spray adhesive (optional)
• Glitter (optional)

Instructions

1. Grab a paraffin block and rub it along the edges of a serrated knife. This enables you to cut the foam disc easily. Another option is to use an old candle to rub on the knife blade.

2. Draw a crescent shape on the foam disc with a colored marker or sharpened pencil. A crescent shape is simply a wide |C" shape with the top and bottom curved sections of the shape a bit narrower than the middle section. Alternatively, cut the shape out of a foam sheet.

3. Cut out the crescent shape with the serrated knife. Direct the knife away from your body while cutting to ensure you do not injure yourself.

4. Cut a piece of clear fishing string to the length necessary for hanging the crescent moon in front of the backdrop. Use a pair of scissors or the serrated knife to cut the string.

5. Glue one end of the fishing line to the back of the crescent moon shape with a hot glue gun or craft glue. Allow time for the glue to dry.

6. Fold 1 or 2 inches of the clear fishing line to the backside of the backdrop and attach it with strong tape. This allows it to lay against the fabric backdrop without turning. Another option is to attach one side of self-adhesive hook-and-loop tape to one side of the crescent moon. Attach the other piece of the hook and loop tape to the backdrop cloth. Press the two pieces of hook-and-loop tape together to hold the crescent moon in place. Since the foam is white, no other decorations are necessary unless you want to add sparkle to the moon.

Tips & Warnings

• Lay newspapers over your work surface. Use a spray-on adhesive to cover one side of the crescent moon shape. Sprinkle glitter all over the moon while the adhesive is still wet. Shake off the excess glitter once the adhesive is dry. Hang the sparkly crescent moon on the backdrop.

References

• Styrofoam Brand Foam: Halloween Swag