Directions for an Egyptian Pharaoh Costume

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Things You'll Need

  • Oversized T-shirt

  • Measuring tape

  • 2 yards white or black fabric

  • Air-soluble fabric marker

  • Scissors

  • 2 yards gold fabric

  • 1 sheet poster board

  • Pencil

  • Plain plastic mask

  • Bowl

  • 2 cups flour

  • 2 cups water

  • Newspaper

  • Utility knife

  • Gold spray paint

  • Paint brushes

  • Black acrylic paint

  • Blue acrylic paint

No one is sure what color the tunics of the pharaoh were.
Image Credit: AmandaLewis/iStock/Getty Images

The easiest way to identify a pharaoh in ancient Egypt was by his crown. Only the pharaoh got to wear a crown with an image of the cobra goddess. The cobra goddess was said to protect the pharaoh from his enemies by spitting flames. Dress like an ancient pharaoh for your next school project, costume party or even for Halloween. Go as the mighty Ramses II or King Tut in your homemade costume that is easy to make in a weekend.

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Pharaoh Tunic and Belt

Step 1

Put on the T-shirt measure from the end of the shirt to the start of your knee. Write the measurement down.

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Step 2

Fold the fabric right sides together and lay it on your work surface. Place the T-shirt on top of the fabric. Trace around the sides and top of the shirt with an air-soluble fabric marker. Add the length from your measurement and extend the lines on the sides to this length. Connect the two sides straight across.

Step 3

Cut around the traced lines through both layers. Pin the layers together and sew them together with a straight stitch using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Flip right side out.

Step 4

Cut a 6-inch wide band of gold fabric that is two and a half times the length of your waist measurement. For example, if you have a 30-inch waist, you will need a piece of fabric 6 inches wide by 75 inches long. This will be your belt. You will wrap it around your waist and tie it in a knot in the front. Let the tails hang long in front of your waist.

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Pharaoh Headpiece

Step 1

Lay the poster board on the work surface. Place the plastic mask in the middle of the board. Trace around the mask.

Step 2

Draw a broad semicircle above the mask. The semicircle should be positioned about 4 inches above the forehead of the mask. Stop the semicircle by the eyes of the mask.

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Step 3

Extend the line of the semicircle out and down towards the chin of the mask. You want the shape to look like a wide upside-down U shape. Curve the lines back in towards the space under the mask and draw a long rectangle to hang on each side of the chin.

Step 4

Cut out the shape around the mask. Cut along the traced line of the mask. You will have an upside-down U with long tails and a hole in the middle.

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Step 5

Tape the mask to the front of the board with masking tape. Make sure the strap for the mask is pulled through to the back.

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Step 6

Make the paper mache. Mix 2 cups flour and 2 cups water together in a bowl. Tear pieces of newspaper into 1-inch by 6-inch strips.

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Step 7

Dip the pieces of newspaper in the paper mache mixture and run your fingers over the paper to release any excess moisture. Smooth over the poster board. Lay pieces of saturated paper over the board and the mask until they are completely covered. Let dry. Flip the headpiece over and do the backside. Keep repeating until you have three layers on each side.

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Step 8

Use a utility knife to cut out the eye and nose opening of the mask within the headpiece.

Step 9

Spray a layer of gold spray pain on the front and back of the headpiece. Let dry.

Step 10

Paint the head of a cobra at the top of the headpiece in the center above the forehead.

Step 11

Paint blue 3-inch wide horizontal stripes spaced 2 inches apart with acrylic paint on the headpiece. Let dry.

Tip

Wear gold chains around your neck. Layer them in various lengths including some that are close to your throat.

Pair your tunic with a pair of sandals.

Refer to a photo of King Tut's mask to help you create the shape of your headpiece.

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