Step by Step Guides

Lion King Mask

1. Wrap the material around the mask securing it with a needle and thread matching the colour of the fur if possible. You may need to sow through the material to make it secure.

2. next make the ears. This is done by folding a thick strip of the material used around the headband in half and securing that my sowing around the outside. 

3.Then stuff the inside of the ear with fluff until it looks like the picture above. 

4. Then secure the bottom by sowing the 2 sides together. 

5. To make them look more like ears cut out an oval shaped piece of dark brown felt and stitch it to the centre of the ear so it resembles an ear.

6. Attach the ears to the headband making sure they are equally apart. Stitch them to the band from the bottom corners of the ears right throught the material on the band so that they are secure. A similar coloured thread will ensure that it is not noticable. Use as much thread as required.

7. To make the headband look more like the character, cut out a thin strip of pink felt and attach it to the centre of the band tying it into a bow. 

Venetian Mask

1. Start by finding a picture on the internet of the shape of the mask you want to make. Cut it out and blow up a balloon, placing the cut out on it. 

2. The next step is to start doing paper mache. Rip up small pieces of newspaper and make a collage over the mask using the glue to stick it and hold it down. When you have applied 8 - 10 layers leave it to dry.

3. When it has dried, peel it off the balloon gently and begin to plaster. Smoothly and gently spread it across the mask making sure you cover everywhere. A few layers of this might be needed depending on how thick and how strong is it already. Leave to dry for an hour or 2.

4. Use sandpaper to sand down the mask so that it is smooth and any uneven patches are evened out. This will make it easier to decorate and it will look more professional.

5. Using a sharp object e.g.a scalpel, carve the pattern you want into the mask. Do not cut too deeply because it may break the mold.

6. Paint the mask in the style you wish to replicate. You may need more than one coat depending on how dark you want it to be. Leave to dry.