Black Spider Costume With a Garbage Bag
Whether you walk through an empty web or see one clinging to the side of the bathtub, spiders can make even the most fearless person jumpy. The widespread aversion to spiders makes these eight-legged arachnids the perfect species to inspire Halloween costumes. With some garbage bags, cardboard and black clothing, you can create a one-of-a-kind spider costume that will give your friends and family the heebie-jeebies at your next Halloween party.
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Cardboard
- Scissors
- Black spray paint
- Pencil
- Heavy-duty staples
- Black elastic
- Black turtleneck
- Black leggings or pants
- Black gloves
- Black socks
- Black shoes
- 10-gallon black drawstring garbage bag
- Newspaper
- Red construction paper
- Glue or tape
Instructions
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Legs
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1
Measure your arm span with a measuring tape. Subtract 1 foot from the measurement.
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2
Cut two pieces of cardboard using your shortened arm span as the length and 3 inches as the width.
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3
Taper each end of the cardboard pieces to form spider legs. Round off the tip of each end corner with scissors.
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4
Paint both sides of the cardboard with black spray paint. Allow the paint to dry for 24 hours before proceeding.
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5
Use the pieces to form an "X." Have a friend help you position them on your back. Adjust the angle of the legs so that the four ends can be seen from the front. Mark the angle with a pencil before securing the pieces with heavy-duty staples.
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6
Loosely wrap black elastic under your arm and over your shoulder to measure the amount needed for shoulder straps. The ends of elastic should be able to reach the cardboard's position on your back. Mark the length needed and cut two pieces of elastic.
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7
Attach the ends of the elastic to the center of the cardboard "X" with staples. Each part of the "X" should have one end of the elastic attached to it. Place the elastic loops over your shoulders to check the fit and make adjustments if necessary.
Body
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8
Wear a black turtleneck, leggings or pants, gloves, socks and shoes.
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9
Spread a 10-gallon black drawstring garbage bag on a flat surface. Fold the bag in half lengthwise. Find the center of the bottom of the bag.
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10
Insert a pair of scissors into the seam in the center of the bottom of the bag. Cut a 10- to 12-inch opening along the seam. The opening should be big enough to stick your head through.
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11
Measure 4 inches from the left and right corners on the bottom of the bag. Insert the scissors into the side seams to create two armholes on both sides of the bag.
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12
Open up the bag and shake it out carefully. Gather the sides of the bag in your hand until you reach the opening in the bottom of the bag. Insert your head through the opening and pull down until the bag settles around your neck.
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13
Insert your arms through the holes one at a time.
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14
Fill the bag with crumpled newspaper until it reaches the desired shape. Pull the drawstrings closed around your hips and tie them in a loose knot.
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15
Cut two 2-inch triangles out of red construction paper. Arrange the triangles so the top points touch and form an hourglass. Glue or tape the paper to the front of the garbage bag.
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16
Wear the cardboard legs on your back over top of the bag.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Drape a fake spiderweb over your shoulder, arms or hands, if desired.
For easy costume removal, tear the bag apart from the neck opening and discard.
Don't overfill the bag -- too much newspaper may make it hard for you to move your arms or sit down.
Don’t leave the bag over your head and keep the plastic away from your nose or mouth to prevent suffocation.
Paint the legs outside or in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling the fumes from the spray paint.
- Photo Credit Duncan Smith/Photodisc/Getty Images
