My armor is constructed entirely of cardboard. This is not corrugated cardboard but more like the kind you would find on the bottom of a yellow legal notepad. I downloaded an image of an actual Knights armor and used that as a starting point. All of the cardboard to cardboard connections are made with two different size brads which make it look like rivets.
To prevent absorption of sweat and paint, I sealed the entire costume with an Elmers glue and water mixture. The paint is Rustoleum Hammered Silver which gives it a great metal appearance. The costume consists of seven individual pieces and has to be put on in much the same manner I would assume real armor would have to be dawned. Legs/foot coverings, arms, body/skirt, helmet and then the collar are put on in that order.
Velcro is used to attach sides of body/skirt, backs of the legs and the neck part of the helmet. The fleur-de-lis is pasted onto the breast plate and then drops of glue added around the edges for the rivet appearance.
I began this Homemade Knight In Shining Cardboard Costume at the beginning of October and worked on it an hour or two almost every night until Halloween.
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How did you get such big pieces of cardboard for yur costume? Very realistic looking.
Nancy-I called paper supply stores around town looking for cardboard “like the kind you would find on the back of a legal pad”. What I ended up buying was what they call Chipboard. It came in 26inX38in sheets. A batch of 40 pieces cost me a little over $30.00.
Your costume looks incredible!!!
I love it! My son has been a Knight for our local Renfaire and been crowned King both times.. I made homemade costumes each time. But this is the best I have ever seen! Its amazing. I love to try it!
I think this is what I’m looking for. I have a character on a game I play and I wanted to mimic his suit of armor for my costume. Thank you very much for the idea.
I have the chipboard and I am wondering how you got the rounded look on the knees and helmet? Also, exactly how many separate pieces there are on your costume? I want to make a modified version for my 10 year old. Thanks! I think this is just awesome.
pbrown,
e-mail me patrick.chesney@gmail.com and I can send you some close up pictures.
2-Legs
2-Arms
1-Body
1-Helmet
1-Collar
Looks like about 8-10 overlapped pieces just for the arms and collar, to me. The cuts in the back make a nice shape for the middle piece. It would be nice to see a pattern for how to cut each piece.
it’s amazing!!! also, that’s my dad! and, it is so cool up close. its a really good costume
this one is definitely what I want to make
My 9 yr old son, after years of wanting store-bought costumes, wants a homemade one this year. Yea – we’re so excited to get this project started together. And THIS is the suit he wants to make. Yikes! I will need a pattern. Any chance a pattern exists?
How did you get the pattern for your costume? Did you make it up from scratch? Can you send it to me?
Bianca,
e-mail me at patrick.chesney@gmail.com and I can send you some close ups. I do not have a pattern. I made it from scatch by trial and error.
Is there a way I can get a pattern for this costume? If not any ideas on making this costume? Thanks
that is so cool
Thanks for sharing this. Your construction methods were of great help to me in the creation of my own costume for the Dallas ComicCon Fan Days this weekend!
Great job! Can I get some instructions for this! It is awesome and my daughters boyfriend wants to surprise her with this costume for Halloween! We will begin making it this week. Can you send the instructions to beachdreemz@hotmail.com!? Thanks!
Hi,
I was looking for a knight in shining armor costume online and came across your costume. It is phenomenal! What great artistry! I noticed that you offered to send another fan some close-up photos of your knight costume that might facilitate the construction of a similar costume. If so, would you also be willing to send me the same so I could attempt my own? My email is rcstjean@hotmail.com
Whatever info and advice you might provide me would be so greatly appreciated. Thanks and again, my congratulations on a magnificent costume!!!!!!!
Best,
Roland
We have 2 horses and next year for Halloween my kids want to be a knight and queen riding on their horses. I would love to make this knight costume for my 13 year old son. You should be so proud of yourself for coming up with this costume. Please email me the instructions at judd@mhtc.net
Can you please send me the template and instructions for making this costume?!