DIY Light-Up Costumes
Whether you're going as a character from Tron, a human Christmas tree, a stoplight, or want to stand out from the crowd at your next Halloween party, adding lights to your costume gives it a professional glow. It may also make your friends think you've got mad electrical and costume-making skills. There are two uncomplicated methods for illuminating your costume -- using electroluminescent wire or placing single LED lights to your costume. Pick which lighting method will work best for your costume's design and intent. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- LED lights
- Fabric pen
- Scissors
- Small rubber rings
- Electroluminescent wire
- Battery packs
- Needle and thread
Instructions
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Installing LED Lights
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1
Purchase LED lights specifically made for costumes. Look for LED lights at craft or sewing stores. LED lights usually are packaged as kits with placement rings. If you're buying the LED separately, purchase small rubber rings to hold the lights in place.
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2
Identify and mark with a pencil or fabric pen the placement of your LED lights. Remember that LED lights only shine light in one direction.
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3
Puncture each of the holes with a pair of scissors. The hole should be just big enough to squeeze the LED light through. Poke one LED light through the back of each punctured hole. Place a rubber ring on top to hold the light in place.
Installing Glow-in-the-Dark Lights
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4
Mark a design on your costume where the electroluminescent wire will go. Use a pencil or fabric pen to trace or draw freehand the design on the fabric.
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5
Measure how much electroluminescent wire you'll need to fit your design. Purchase wire from a craft supply store, along with a battery pack, if it isn't already included.
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6
Tape the wire along your design to hold it in place. Once you're satisfied with the wire's placement, sew it down using a needle and thread.
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7
Attach the wire to the battery pack and secure the battery to your costume according to its instructions or hold it in your hand when wearing the costume.
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References
- The Costumer's Scribe; Budget Costume Illumination; Kevin Scribe;1994
- ladyada.net: El Wire Tutorial
