Make a Slender Man Mask
Slender Man, a fictional character originally created as an internet meme, continues to capture the imagination of many. If you're going to a fancy dress party or role playing Slender Man, you'll definitely need a mask to complete the scary, featureless look.
Contents
Steps
White Pantyhose Version
This version is easy, although it will probably look less effective than the other versions, especially if it's pulled too tightly and shows your face clearly. Try to use thicker denier pantyhose or tights for the best look. On the plus side, this version tends to be easy to breathe through and see out of!
- Purchase white pantyhose. These are usually available from drugstores, pharmacies, department stores and online. Size large to extra large will give you the most material to work with.
- Place the waist end over your head. The mask needs to extend to the shirt, so you will probably find that you need to extend your head into one of the two legs of the pantyhose to ensure that it reaches down your neck as well.
- It's best to be wearing the shirt already when adding the mask. That way, you can check that the pantyhose length is adequate.
- Have a friend tie the legs together at the back of your head, while the waist is sitting comfortably around your head and neck.
- Make the knot as tight and secure a knot as possible without causing harm to the wearer. It needs to be secure, as the fabric will unravel once cut and the knot prevents this from occurring to the mask part.
- Next, snip off the excess legs. They can be used for some other pantyhose craft, so add them to your craft box.
- The knot should be as unobtrusive as possible - perhaps tape it down with clear tape to help achieve this.
- Add the rest of the costume. Done!
Mask and Stretchy Fabric Version
- Purchase a blank white face mask. Use the kind that can be found in costume stores and dollar shops what covers your face but has eye holes, mouth hole and nostril holes. This mask will keep the fabric away from your face, helping you to keep breathing and seeing okay.
- Try the mask on for comfort. If it isn't comfortable, make any adjustments needed before gluing the fabric to it, as it's harder to do afterward.
- Find some white fabric with good stretch to it. Lycra, spandex, etc. are good choices but if you're not sure, check with the fabric retailer who might be able to offer some options once they understand what you're trying to do.
- Cut the fabric slightly wider and longer than the mask. Attach the fabric to the mask by gluing it all the way around, overlapping the fabric edges to the back of the mask, going from the top of the mask down. A hot glue gun will make this easier but take care not to melt the plastic if it's a plastic mask.
- As you glue, keep the fabric taut (stretched) so that it doesn't bunch up. Check that the fabric is smooth - wrinkles will spoil the end look.
- Be sure to work around the elastic part that holds the mask to your head––it needs to be able to stretch normally still.
- Make a back piece. This is the piece that hides the back and sides of your head and joins to the front mask, completing the mask piece.
- Place the mask down on a wider and higher piece of material.
- Trace a wide oval or circle around the mask, leaving at least 4 inches/10cm space between the edges of the mask and the circle or oval circumference, with slightly longer for the portion that goes down your neck (the part that tucks into the shirt). The back piece fabric needs to be large to ensure a good fit. Use your own head size to guide the final measurements.
- Glue the back piece to the mask. Overlap the top edge of the back piece (opposite end of the part you've designated as the neck end) to the back of the mask behind the forehead.
- Continue gluing down the sides of the mask to the chin. This completes the back piece; the remaining unglued length at the base will tuck into the neck cover when assembling the mask.
- Poke tiny holes into the eye area. This part isn't essential if you find that you can see through the fabric but test it to see. Only do this if you can't see through the fabric. If there is any risk of the fabric running once pierced, seal the circle edges with glue or sew around the border with invisible thread (a very fiddly job).
- Make the neck cover (dickey or false shirt front).
- Cut a length of fabric from the stretchy white fabric that is wide enough to roll around your neck and cover the neck into the shirt collar. Glue this piece into a stretchy tube.
- Cut off one leg from a pair of white pantyhose. This piece covers the other two pieces for smoothing over the whole look.
- Put it all together. For wearing, simply add the separate items as follows:
- Put the face mask on first. Adjust for comfort.
- Put the neck cover or dickey on next. Push it down to the neck zone and tuck the ends under the shirt.
- Finish with the pantyhose leg. This should cover both the mask and the neck cover, to provide a smooth finish.
- Done. Go out and spook your fellow party goers.
Full White Body Suit Version
This option is possibly expensive, hot and a little over-the-top but it's still an option. On the plus side, if you're trick and treating on a cold day, it'll probably keep you snug.
- Purchase a full body suit in white. Make sure it includes the head without any eyes or mouth pieces cut out.
- Place the entire suit on. Then add the Slender Man suit over the top. And that's it, your mask is the leftover uncovered part of the suit!
Tips
- Be sure to eat or drink before adding the Slender Man mask. These activities become a tad difficult once the mask is in place...
Things You'll Need
Method one:
- White pantyhose or tights, as opaque as possible, thicker denier hose where possible
- Tape
- Scissors
Method two:
- Mask (plastic, paper molded, whatever)
- Stretchy white fabric (ask retailer for advice if you're unsure)
- Hot glue gun (or craft glue if you hate handling hot glue)
- Sharp fabric scissors
- White pantyhose
Method three:
- Full white body suit
