How to Make an Asterisk Costume

Become an asterisk for Halloween.

The asterisk is a symbol that comes into use on a daily basis, found on keyboards, cell phones and number pads. An asterisk can make a fun costume at costume parties being thrown by programmers, language students or anyone else with a geeky sense of humor. This costume is fairly simple, working like a sandwich sign used in advertising. You will make it out of cardboard and fabric, making it fast and inexpensive.

Things You'll Need

• Printer paper
• Tape
• Cardboard
• Marker
• Razor blade
• Spray adhesive
• Spray primer
• Spray paint
• Fabric
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun

Instructions

1. Tape four pieces of computer paper together end-to-end.

2. Place the paper across the center of a 46-inch corrugated cardboard square.

3. Trace the outline of the paper with a marker.

4. Turn the paper 90-degrees and trace it again, creating a plus sign.

5. Turn the paper 45-degrees and trace it for one diagonal of the asterisk, then turn it 90-degrees and trace it to complete the asterisk.

6. Cut out the asterisk with a razor blade.

7. Use this asterisk to trace three more on additional pieces of cardboard. Cut those out as well.

8. Spray one of the pieces with adhesive spray and press a second against it, lining up the edges, to double the thickness of the cardboard. Repeat this process with the other two pieces.

9. Spray two coats of primer onto both asterisks, allowing each coat to dry completely, then spray two coats of spray paint in the color of your choice.

10. Cut two 12-by-3-inch strips of black fabric.

11. Hot glue the fabric to the upper diagonal bars of the two asterisks, creating shoulder straps that connect the two asterisks together like a sandwich sign used in advertising.

12. Cut a hole in the front asterisk large enough for your face.

13. Wear the costume with black clothing.

Resources

• Made Manual: How To Make A Sandwich Board Sign; Angela Comer
• "30 Fun Ways to Advertise Your Small Business in the Local Community: Free and Cheap Methods to Promote and Market Your Business and Increase Your Sales Now"; Brian Cook; 2009