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| Photo credit, Laurie Tysinger. Model, Xena Lawson. |
Since my daughter mentioned that her friends have requested that I do a leather craft tutorial involving mask making, I thought I might share this simple leather “bandit” style mask, that I made for her “Harley Quinn” cosplay outfit.
These are among the simplest of all the masks I make. The supply list is small, and should not be too hard to come buy.
Supplies needed:
1. A small piece of leather, at least 8 and 1/2″ by 3 and 1/2″. This can be found at the nearest Hobby Lobby,http://www.hobbylobby.com/StoreLocator/ or other craft shop, or you can do what I often do, and use an old leather coat you might otherwise have thrown out or given to the local charity shop.
2. About a foot of thin black elastic, also found at the above locations.
3. White glue.
4. Scissors.
5. A hole punch, or an awe, either of which can also be found at Hobby Lobby.
6. OPTIONAL : sewing thread and needle, and mannequin head, or anything relatively “nose shaped”.
The basic steps are as follows:
1. If possible, cut the leather to fit the face of the one who will be wearing it. You can either make a quick paper pattern directly on their face, or your own. If you would rather, a cheap dollar store mask can also be used as a guideline. The main thing here, is to be sure you have cut the eye holes big enough so that the person in question can see.
2. For this phase, I usually use a mannequin head to shape the nose area, but if one is not available, it can be shaped by hand, or use the dollar mask, if you have one. To do this, you simple wet the middle of the mask (in the area of the nose) with a mixture of half white glue and half water, and shape the bridge part of the nose, so that it can be worn comfortably in that area. I have shaped these around pencils, pens, cigarette lighters, even my own nose. Anything that will give you a similar shape when dry will work. I usually allow this to dry over night.
3. When the mask is dry, you should next punch a hole on each side at about eye level. This should be fairly easy to judge by the eye holes.
4. The elastic can then be put through one of these holes, and either tied, or sewn in place. I usually prefer to sew it, but it depends on the mask, and time requirements.
5. Pull the elastic around the head of the person who will be wearing it’s head rather tautly to the other hole and cut any excess, but leave extra to allow for tying or sewing.
6. Tie or sew to other side.
The one pictured here has been left plain, but you can also paint your mask with regular acrylic paints, or add embellishments of your choice, if desired.
Originally published on ExpertsPages, July 4th, 2013.
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