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How To Make A Wearable Coffin For Your Halloween Costume!

By
Home Stager with Sharon Tara Transformations

Years ago I created some wearable coffins for a Halloween costume.  The coffins were comfortable and fun to wear! 

My daughter, my aunt, and I were the three "Stages of Death"

 One recently deceased, one decaying corpse, and one skeletal remains.

I wore the skeleton costume.

We won First Place!

 

 

I created a decaying corpse costume for my husband and

we wore the coffins for a different event.

DIY WEARABLE COFFIN:

 I used foam board three-section presentation boards.  (They cost about $9 each..you could use plain cardboard to save money.)

After cutting the top to get a coffin shape, I covered them in fabric using a stapler and hot glue gun.  The cardboard portion ran from our heads to our hips and it was just fabric the rest of the way to the floor.  

I attached very thick wire (used long stems from some fake flowers) to the back at shoulder height, shaped like a candy cane, to hook the coffin over our shoulders so we could carry them hands free.  (stem of candy cane attached to cardboard under fabric and top loop placed through slit in fabric)  They were lightweight and very comfortable to wear.

 

DIY FACE MAKEUP

3 Tbsp Cornstarch

1 Tbsp Flour

3/4 cup Karo light corn syrup

1/4 cup water

Mix cornstarch and flour.  Gradually stir in corn syrup and water until smooth.

Divide into 4 portions.  Leave one portion untinted to use as glue.  Add 1/4 tsp food coloring to each of the remaining portions.

 

DIY DECOMPOSING FACE TECHNIQUE

Separate some facial tissues into single layer, and tear lengthwise into 2" wide strips.  Generously paint forehead with untinted glue mixture and place strip of tissues over area, patting firmly with fingertips.  Add more mixture as needed to cover dry spots of tissue.  Continue the rest of face, one section at a time.  Avoid eye area.  Let dry 15 minutes.  Use hair dryer to speed drying.  Build up multiple coats of tissue in some areas to look like skin is falling off.

Use red tinted face paint for blood in areas where you create wounds.  Make dark circles under the eyes with eyeshadow.

Complete with very light face powder to create a really pale complexion.

 

 

Unfortunately, after spending the winter in a storage unit our coffins were ruined.

 

But the skeleton costume was given new life, years later, when my daughter and her boyfriend used it as part of their  

 "Skeleton Crew" costume.

They won First Place!

 

 

 

We've gotten a lot of mileage from the skeleton costume.

 

 

Ashley wore it again two years ago

and plans to wear it again this year.

 

The skeleton bones were handpainted by my very talented uncle, Jim.

 

Because I was originally using it with a coffin on my back,

the backside was not painted.

 

 

This year when Ashley wears it, it will be painted on both front and back...

Thank you Uncle Jim!!!

 

 

More HOMEMADE HALLOWEEN COSTUME ideas

Comments(35)

Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Sharon, you are so creative. Thank you for sharing. I love the photos.

Oct 22, 2017 05:43 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Sharon. Only you. Not many would even think of this let alone be able to make these coffins.

Oct 22, 2017 06:25 AM
Belinda Spillman
Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO
Colorado Living!

Those are down right spooky.  How cleaver!  I can see why you won the contest.

Oct 22, 2017 09:16 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Bob Crane  You should consider virtually dressing up for the AR Masquerade Ball that Kimo Stowell is sponsoring. Dress up your profile pic!

Gita Bantwal  I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!

Sheila Anderson  I'm flattered. Thank you! Projects like this are something I really enjoy.

Belinda Spillman  Thank you! The coffins were really fun to dance in. LOL

 

Oct 22, 2017 10:50 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Sharon

Awesome tip for someone wanting to be the walking dead!

Hard to believe it's that time again!!

Jeff

Oct 22, 2017 11:34 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Jeff Dowler  Walking dead, dancing dead, running dead...very convenient to wear regardless!

 

Oct 22, 2017 02:00 PM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Sharon

It will be a spooky Halloween . . . .

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Oct 22, 2017 07:25 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

A spooky Halloween is a happy Halloween!

Oct 22, 2017 07:28 PM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Good morning Sharon.  I don't think I'm ready for a coffin yet.  Even for Halloween.

Oct 23, 2017 05:36 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Gabe Sanders  I'm not ready for a real one, but a Halloween one is all in good fun. Enjoy your week!

Oct 23, 2017 11:22 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Hysterical costume!  Such fun.  I bet anyone looking was in awe of your creativity :) 

Oct 23, 2017 02:53 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Jan Green  I had lots of people peeking around from behind to see what the front looked like. It was fun seeing their reaction. 

Oct 23, 2017 02:55 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ

Hillarious! 

Oct 24, 2017 05:24 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

I never thought of a wearable coffin for Halloween, but it sounds really interesting and a little bit fun, I guess

Oct 23, 2017 11:26 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Jan Green I could see how it would be hard to detect from certain algles. Good costume regardless

Oct 23, 2017 11:32 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Laura Cerrano  It was comfortable and that is a very important aspect when choosing a costume. LOL

Oct 24, 2017 05:56 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

I can see where you get your creativity from :). You both do a great job!

Oct 24, 2017 05:37 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Something I am not looking forward to; wearing a coffin that is Sharon Tara 

Oct 24, 2017 10:42 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Rebecca Gaujot  Thank you. I have a very creative family. 

Paul S. Henderson, CRS, REALTOR®,  None of us are. But this coffin was fun!

Oct 25, 2017 08:34 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

I've put together several costumes in the past, but the coffin is over the top!

Nov 01, 2017 02:18 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Pat Starnes, Brandon, MS  It's one of my favorites. I would like to make another one someday. It was so comfortable to wear!

Nov 02, 2017 06:35 AM