Foam fish costumes can look almost this good
Creating a foam fish costume can be fun for Halloween, the next aquarium expo or a special event at the seafood restaurant. Whatever the reason, some soft foam sheets and craft paint can give you the semi-realistic look you want. Craft one foam fish costume or make many and get your friends to join the school.
Instructions
Make a Foam Fish Costume
1. Lay out the two sheets of 1-inch foam on the ground or other large, flat surface. The foam sheets are designed for upholstery or beds and you can buy them in craft stores or some home supply stores. Cut the foam into 4-foot lengths. Use a marker or fabric pen to draw a large oval shape on the foam. The oval should be about 3 feet long, and end about 1 foot from the end of the foam. This will be the body of the fish. Draw diagonal lines from the corners of the foam sheet in to meet up with the oval to make a tail for your fish.
2. Cut out each basic fish shape from the foam pieces. Straighten the edges of the triangular pieces you cut out when forming the tail. These will form the fins. Cut another tapered triangle piece for the dorsal (back) fin of the fish. Cut a notch out of the head end of the fish to serve as its mouth. From the excess foam removed in the beginning, cut a diamond-shaped piece that is broad enough in the center to fit over your shoulders. Cut a hole in the middle of this piece for your head to fit through.
3. Paint all parts of the fish before assembly. Use a large paintbrush and non-toxic water-based craft paint, or spray paints, to paint the foam sheets whatever color you want your foam fish costume to be. After this dries, you can add gentle U-shapes to indicate scales, stripes on the tail and fins, and facial features including round eyes and gills.
4. Cut a long length of the thick thread and put it on the upholstery needle. Knot one end and begin at the inside of the foam sheet for your fish costume. First sew the shoulder foam piece to both sides of the fish costume body. Then continue sewing the fish head and tail parts together. Sew the bottom of the fish costume only at the front and the tail section. Leave plenty of open space to make walking easier. Cut slits in the sides of the fish costume for your arms to poke out.
5. Position each of the fish's fins on the side of the foam fish costume directly above the arm holes and sew them on. Sew the bottom parts of the top fin to the shoulder piece of foam on either side of the head hole. Join the two top fin pieces above the head and sew together, forming a type of open hood. Your foam fish costume is now complete.
Tags: fish costume, foam fish, foam fish costume, foam sheets, craft paint
