How to create a mummy costume?

Introduction

Materials Needed

• 2-3 white bed sheets (preferably old or thrifted)
• 1 white long-sleeved shirt (turtleneck recommended)
• 1 pair of white pants or jeans
• 100-200 tea bags (black tea)
• 3-5 gallon buckets
• Scissors
• Seam ripper (if using the sewing method)
• Sewing machine (optional)
• Safety pins
• Baby powder
• Black and white face paint
• Gel or hair spray (optional)
• Gauze or medical bandages (optional)

Step 1: Aging the Fabric

1. Fill your buckets with hot water.
2. Add 20-30 tea bags to each bucket, depending on the desired intensity of color.
3. Submerge the white sheets, shirt, and pants in the tea-filled buckets.
4. Let the fabric steep for 2-6 hours, checking periodically to ensure the desired color is achieved.
5. Remove the fabric from the buckets and rinse with cold water until the water runs clear.
6. Hang the fabric to dry completely before proceeding to the next step.

Step 2: Creating Mummy Strips

1. Lay out your dried, tea-stained sheets on a flat surface.
2. Using scissors, cut 2-3 inch slits along one edge of the sheet.
3. Tear the fabric from these slits, creating long strips of varying widths (2-4 inches wide).
4. Continue this process until you have a large pile of fabric strips.

Step 3: Preparing the Base Outfit

1. Put on the tea-stained white shirt and pants.
2. If desired, use safety pins to temporarily secure any loose areas of the clothing.

Step 4: Wrapping Technique

Sewing Method

1. Start with the shirt:
   1. Lay the shirt flat and begin attaching strips to the bottom edge, overlapping them slightly.
   2. Sew the strips onto the shirt, working your way up to the neckline.
   3. For the sleeves, cut open the inseams and lay them flat.
   4. Sew strips onto the sleeves, then reattach them to the shirt.

2. Move on to the pants:
   1. Open the inseams of the pants and lay them flat.
   2. Start sewing strips from the bottom of each leg, working your way up to the waistline.
   3. Reattach the inseams once you've covered the entire surface.

3. Try on the costume and make any necessary adjustments.

Wrapping Method

1. Start at one ankle and begin wrapping the strips around your leg, overlapping each layer slightly.
2. Secure the end of each strip with safety pins as you go.
3. Continue wrapping up your body, including your torso and arms.
4. Leave some strips hanging loose or trailing for a more dramatic effect.
5. Use safety pins liberally to keep the wrappings in place.

Step 5: Head and Face

1. For the head, you have two options:
   1. Wrap strips of fabric around your head, leaving openings for your eyes and mouth.
   2. Use a white ski mask or balaclava as a base, then attach fabric strips to it.

2. For the face:
   1. Apply white face paint as a base.
   2. Use black face paint to create sunken eyes and hollow cheeks.
   3. Add some gray or brown shading for depth and an aged appearance.

3. If desired, use gel or hairspray to slick back your hair before applying the head wrappings.

Step 6: Adding Details and Texture

1. Fray the edges of some strips for a more weathered look.
2. Use a mixture of water and brown or black paint to create "dirt" stains on the wrappings.
3. Attach small pieces of gauze or medical bandages in strategic places for added texture.
4. Consider adding prop elements like fake beetles or scarab charms to enhance the ancient Egyptian theme.

Step 7: Final Touches

1. Dust your entire costume with baby powder to create a dry, dusty appearance.
2. Loosen some of the wrappings slightly to allow for movement.
3. Practice your mummy walk and groans for full effect!

Tips for Wearing Your Mummy Costume

1. Ensure you can move comfortably and see clearly before leaving home.
2. Bring extra safety pins and fabric strips for quick repairs.
3. Be mindful of your surroundings to avoid snagging your costume.
4. If wearing the costume for an extended period, take breaks to adjust and re-wrap if necessary.

Variations and Customizations

1. Colored Mummy: Use fabric dye to create a unique colored mummy (e.g., red for a "cursed" mummy).
2. Zombie Mummy: Incorporate elements of zombie makeup with the mummy wrappings.
3. Royal Mummy: Add gold accessories or fabric accents to represent an ancient Egyptian pharaoh.
4. Mummy Bride/Groom: Combine mummy wrappings with wedding attire elements.

Caring for Your Mummy Costume

1. Carefully remove all safety pins before storage.
2. If sewn, gently hand wash the costume in cold water and lay flat to dry.
3. For the wrapped version, carefully unwrap and store the strips flat to prevent tangling.
4. Store the costume in a cool, dry place to prevent mold or mildew.

Mummy Costume Accessories

1. Ankh: An ancient Egyptian symbol of life.
2. Canopic Jars: Small prop jars representing organs removed during mummification.
3. Scarab Amulet: A beetle-shaped charm symbolizing rebirth in ancient Egypt.
4. Sandals: Authentic-looking ancient Egyptian footwear.
5. Tomb Treasures: Small golden props to represent burial goods.

Group Costume Ideas

1. Mummy Family: Create mummy costumes for the whole family, varying the wrapping styles.
2. Monsters Unite: Pair with friends dressed as other classic monsters (vampire, werewolf, etc.).
3. Egyptian Ensemble: Include friends dressed as Cleopatra, Pharaoh, or archaeologists.

The History Behind Mummy Costumes

1. Ancient Egyptian Mummification: Research the actual process to inform your costume design.
2. Hollywood Influence: Explore how movies have shaped our perception of mummies.
3. Cultural Significance: Learn about the religious and cultural importance of mummification in ancient Egypt.

Conclusion