Thread: Help with burning witch costume

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Hi!

I had the same idea this year! The advise so far has been great.

Here are my plans so far if you're interested...

I managed to find a long round piece of styrofoam for the stake at a supply store and plan on distressing it with a dremel to put some wood-like grooves in it and then will paint it black to fill the grooves and do a sort of dry brush with a few browns to give it a wood-like look.

I haven't actually put it together, but the plan is to use rope to create an almost back pack like strap that would make it look like I'm tied to the stake, but allow me to take it off to sit down. (I host the party, though, so I don't usually sit much.)

I was also going to make wood out of foam for the bottom of the dress, but then I found a grape vine wreath at the local craft store that's 30" so I can stand in it.

The plan is to use a piece of rope for the belt and tie the wreath to it with fishing line just above the ground. I will use use other small branches to build it up and make it look more like a pile and put the lights and start some of the fabric.

I was thinking the fan route at first, but just couldn't figure out how to get them in the hem of the dress or the wood and have them be strong enough to actually blow the fabric. So I'm thinking of using some fishing line to attach them to the belt or sleeves or something that will hopefully allow for some movement.

I hadn't even thought of the smoke! Great ideas on that. I was just planning on doing some charring. As far as the lighting goes, I've bought a variety of battery operated LED lights from Menards (a home improvement store) to try and create a cool affect, some flashing, some red, some orange, some white...again, haven't really put it together so it's all still in concept.

Typing this all out I realize how much I have to do before Halloween!

I'm wondering what type of witch you're planning on being...black dress, warts and a hat; puritan from Salem; renaissance period; etc. I haven't decided on that part of it yet.

Have fun and good luck!

Thanks for the thoughts, and the links, COSG. I did actually find some battery operated lights in red and amber, so I think I can light the thing up. I'm still investigating the fan thing, just wondering about the noise. And keegan's ideas with the grapevine around the bottom are good, too.

As far as what kind of witch, I'm going more realistic, no pointy hat or any of that jazz. More of a Salem witch thing, peasant dress, but with bigger skirt to allow for all the additions. I also have a bloody appliance that I'll apply to my forehead that looks like a Satanic symbol has been carved into my skin. I have time to pull it together, as this year's costume is pretty much done, I'll be using the witch get-up next year. That gives me a lot of time to perfect it!

This year, I'm a dead vampire, as opposed to undead. Stake through the chest, pale, etc. Hence, dead vampire. Gothic outfit.

Along those lines, didn't someone recommend a better adhesive than spirit gum? The darn stuff isn't holding my stake in place very well, and also have a couple of neck bites to apply. (But my teeth are great - Scarecrow, of course!)

Well, good luck with this years costume, and post some pics. I've heard a lot of good things about using medical adhesive for attaching prosthetics try the link here
Skin Adhesives from Special Effect Supply
I'll try some experiments with the fans when I get a little extra time, and let you know if I come up with anything.

I've been working on this costume all day. I have an office chair, to which I attached a cardboard "stake" painted brown. I attached fencing wire around it...then attached pieces of sticks onto the wire. I'm also adding dry ice, flashlights with the lens painted red, and a few signs (Guilty for heresy) or something like that. Is anyone else making this costume this year?

sew the dress, 2 layers thick (inner and outter layer) add one of those battery operated fans to the mix (from blow up costumes, as previously stated)

add vent holes to your outter dress and attach your chifan flames to those area's.

ya might experiment with a couple small pieces of rubber tubing (1/2" diameter)
i'd cut a 2" long piece, wrap the bottom of the flame around it and stuff it in the vent hole in the dress. a couple had stitches should position the tubing vertically. this should help dirrect your air flow and keep the flames blowing in an upward fashion.

you could add an led to each of the pieces of tubing and hide all the wires between the 2 layers of the dress.