Lion Tamer

SUBMITTED BY:
Sue and Mike A.

CHILD'S NAME:
Samantha A.

ITEMS USED:
PVC pipe
Plastic corner brackets
Cardboard
Wire
Tights
"Pritty" material for skirt and cape
Lion costume pattern
Newspaper for stuffing lion
Slippers
Felt
Pipe cleaners

DESCRIPTION AND HOW COSTUME IS MADE:
The cage is constructed of thin PVC pipe and plastic corner brackets. The cage bottom is made from a sturdy art board, with a hole cut for the child's waist, and then attached to the cage with wire and hinged for her body to enter.

The Lion Tamer: The tamer's legs are formed from old stuffed tights slipped into silver slippers hot glued to the cage bottom. The skirt and cape are made from "pritty" material, ribbon and elastic. (Samantha wore the outfit, draping the skirt over the fake legs.)

The Lion: The lion costume is based on a pattern, with alterations. The leg size is made from a size 2-4 to fit Samantha's legs, and the body is a size 8 to make him tower over the cage. Samantha's legs are inside the lion costume and the upper half is stuffed with newspaper. The hands and chest are sewn to the cage. The head is made from felt and pipe cleaners (for whiskers). The final touch is to add shoulder straps (hidden under the cape) to help hold up the cage.

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