Downton Abbey Costume - page 2

After the printouts were glued to the boards, all the parts started to come together.

Sixteen sides of four corner towers.

Planning and gluing.

I worried that it was too large, but I was too far along to redesign it now. I think I spent about $36 on paper and ink.

I added a few brackets.

I wonder if anyone else adds quarter-inch foam brackets for strength.

So far the costume was 100% foam and paper.

It was a bit fragile, but incredibly lightweight.

Two complete halves.

Each of the exterior walls was almost four feet across, so I had to figure out a way to get this costume into a vehicle and through doorways. The answer was to assemble the costume with hinges at each corner. This would allow the costume to fold into a long diamond shape.

I considered a few different hinge designs, but settled on the above, a length of corrogated plastic, slit down one side. This material is ideal for hot gluing, and it is super-strong.

Overhead view of a corner.

Gluing the first hinge into place.

I guess I finally made a Transformer costume!

I looked around after the hinges were in place and realized I was finished!

Somehow I convinced my kids to resist vaulting the castle walls.

I straightened the top spikes, added a couple of PVC pipe cross-braces and I was done! The Downton Abbey costume was ready to wear!

I blacked out the interior wall and added some additional sight holes. I can't believe how lightweight this monster is. There is nothing to it!

Here is a short video of the costume in action.

All I need now is a secret door which will allow a cold Irish stout to invade the premises.

Back to page one of the Downton Abbey Halloween Costume