As promised, here’s the second part of our paper bag costume series! This time we transformed them into a Firetruck and a Mondrian painting! Continue for the details…

FIRETRUCK INSTRUCTIONS

Materials needed: Paper grocery bag, red spray paint, cardstock (in black, white, cream, baby blue, red, yellow, and silver), scissors, 1/2″ hole punch, 1-1/4″ hole punch, 2-1/2″ hole punch, light blue marker, black marker, Aleene’s Quick Dry Tacky Glue, hot glue gun

Step 1: Spray paint the paper bag red. This may take a couple coats to get a thick, even color.

Step 2: Cut out cardstock pieces for the windows, bumper, lights, emblem, wheels, ladder, and hose. Assemble the individual pieces. Add squiggly glare lines and a frame to the windows with marker. For the siren lights, cut an 8” square of red cardstock, roll into a tube, and wrap a narrow piece of silver cardstock in the center.

Step 3: Glue a line of 1” white cardstock horizontally throughout the center of the bag. Then, glue the detail pieces to the paper bag, using a heavy book to weigh down the drying pieces and prevent curling. For sections that cannot be weighted, use hot glue.

Step 4: Cut holes on the top and sides for the wearer’s arms and head, using the wearer for reference.

MONDRIAN PAINTING INSTRUCTIONS

Materials needed: Paper grocery bag, white spray paint, pencil, acrylic paint (in red, blue, and yellow), paintbrush, black cardstock, x-acto knife, ruler, hot glue gun

Step 1: Spray paint the paper bag white.

Step 2: Lightly draw segments onto the white bag in pencil. We used Mondrian’s iconic Composition II in Red, Blue, and Yellow as a reference for ours. Fill in the squares with paint, then let dry.

Step 3: Cut long strips of black cardstock 1” wide. Glue the cardstock to the bag, separating the squares into distinct sections.

Step 4: Cut holes on the top and sides for the wearer’s head and arms.

SHOP THIS POST: Fan Garland, Triangle Garland, Nautical Garland, Giant Confetti

Photography by Paul Ferney for Oh Happy Day
Styled by Amy Moss
Produced by Alison Piepmeyer
Crafting by Naomi Julia Satake
Thanks to little L and M for modeling!