GO GREEN - A Tree for Fancy Dress Competition

GO GREEN – An Idea for Fancy Dress

I always appreciate the beauty of nature and I am sure all of us do! So, I chose topics which would send a positive message to the kids (the main audience) and the society. After brainstorming, I shortlisted certain topics and decided to ‘go ahead’ with some of these. I would be sharing these with you through a step-by-step explanation. Although these are simple but you can definitely take help from some art and craft person for the execution.

           

Thinking of greenery, we usually tend to think of trees, plants and flowers. Under this thought, we will be creating a ‘Tree’. Let’s name it as Miss Go Green (for girls) and Mister Go Green (for boys). The tree is a speaking tree and is educating everyone to plant more trees and keep the surroundings clean and green.

Making a tree must be common, but we will make it special through its execution, appearance, minute detailing and supporting lines.

There will be three main components –
- The main Tree body
- The Crown
- Hand Props/Pom-Poms

Materials required –

- Old cartons or Cardboards - You can use any old cartons available at home; the ones used for packaging of TV, Refrigerator etc. Alternatively, you can purchase cardboards from the market. If you find them very thin, you can evendouble them to bring durability. Please remember that the boards should be light yet durable.
- Old Newspapers
- 2-3 chart papers of different shades of green
- 10-15 green colour papers (preferably A4 size)
- 1-2 white chart papers
- Strong adhesive
- Scissor, Cutter - Please be careful when kids are around.
- Colour medium - Crayons/Oil pastels, Sketch pens, Water colours
- 3-4 green glazed papers

Step 1 – The Trunk
To begin with, we need the cardboard to be cut according to the statistics of the child. Draw and cut a rectangular piece of carton/cardboard in a manner such that it’s –
- Breadth (b) is equal to the height of the child; take height of the child from top of the neck to the ankle.
- Length (l) is able to wrap the child comfortably.

Step 2 – The Roots
Once we have cut the shape of the main trunk, we need to work on the roots. Nothing much to be done, just cut the bottom of the trunk in a zig –zag line (within 4”-5” from bottom). This would allow the child to move comfortably. Also, cut the top of the trunk in such a manner that it looks like a roughly shaped tree (within 2”-3” from top).

             

Step 3 – The Branches
Take another piece of cardboard and using your imagination, draw and cut it into 4 branch like shapes (broad from the base and narrow as they grow up). These would be pasted on the top of the trunk, so we need to take some extra margins for overlapping. The length of the branches should be at least 6” above the head of the child (excluding overlapping dimension).

Now, above these branches i.e. towards the narrow side, we will paste some cloud shaped branches (4 no.) from another piece of cardboard. These should be in proportion to the size of the tree you are making. (Please refer image to get an idea.) Next, we need some green papers as thin as newspapers. If you wish, you can even paint the newspapers in green colour and use them. Cut these papers into A4 size sheets and start crushing them loosely. You need to cover the branches and the cloud shaped branches with these crushed paper balls. This will give a bushy look to the tree. Don’t cover the extra margins which were left for overlapping. After pasting is done, we need to check for the places where cardboard is visible. If the cardboard is brown, then that can give an impression of the branch itself, otherwise, you can give touches of green/brown colour.

Step 4 – Wearing the tree
We will cut two holes in the front part of the trunk where the child will pass his/her arms and carry the costume on the shoulders.

Let’s work on this!
According to the child’s statistics, mark and cut two holes on the front part of the trunk. (Please note that it would be open from behind). Locate the holes in such a manner that the child can easily pass his/her arms through. These should give the child easy movement of the arms. Punch 2-3 holes on the shorter sides of the trunk, about 2” away from the edge. Use some strong ribbon/lace or any other tying material to be passed through these holes and tied to each other. This would make the tree costume adjustable according to the child’s convenience.

Step 5 – The Bark
For the bark, we need some old newspapers to be pasted vertically on the cardboard trunk. We need to give the newspapers some fanfolds, in a manner that each side gets minimum overlaps. Guess the number of newspapers that shall be used to cover your trunk dimensions and get these ready before you start pasting them. Start from one edge and paste these on the cardboard trunk in the vertical direction. Paste the ears of the folds randomly to depict a rough textured bark.

OR

You can simply crush the newspapers in vertical direction and paste them on the cardboard trunk by gently flattening them. Paste the ears of the folds randomly to depict a rough textured bark.

Step 6 – Painting Time!!
It’s time to give our tree parts some real look. Take out your favourite water colours and brushes. Start painting the Trunk, Roots and Branches using different colours of brown. Keep these parts at a safe place and let them dry.

Let your kids join you in this, it will be fun!!

Step 7 – Growing Branches
Next, we will paste the branches on the upper part of the trunk; say within 3”- 4” from top. Paste it on the inside of the trunk to keep the front clean.

Please take care of the following while pasting the branches –
- The child's face is not covered while he is wearing the costume and performing. Please keep the centre free/open.
- The branches should be assembled in such a manner that the tree gives a dense look.
- Use a stronger sdhesive for a quick and strong pasting.

Step 8 – Adding Greenery to the Tree
For making leaves, we will be using green chart papers. You can use different shades of greens for this. Draw 2-3 leaves of different shapes and sizes on chart paper and cut them. Now using these as templates, cut many more leaves from the chart papers. You can shade and outline these to look more real and beautiful.

Step 9 – Beautifying elements
Here, we are going to do some intricate work. Draw and cut small proportionate pictures of flowers, birds, butterflies and fruits on white chart paper (maybe 2-4 each or as per your imagination). Next we will colour and outline them in beautiful combinations. Call out for your kids! They are eager to help you!!

Step 10 – Beautifying the Tree

Once our leaves and other elements are ready, we will be arranging these on the branches. First, paste the leaves on all the branches and let them give a scattered look. Distribute the different shapes of the leaves evenly on the tree. The density of the tree should be such that the tree looks fully blossomed, not hiding the child’s face from the front. Next, paste the flowers, birds, butterflies and fruits at places where they catch an eye. Don’t forget to paste the leaves on the top of the trunk with the rough look.

  

         

Step 11 – The Crown
The Green tree deserves a crown....after all it is sending a strong message to the society!!

For the Crown, we need a 2” wide green chart paper band. The length of the band should be 2”- 3” more than the circumference of the child’s head for overlapping. You can double the band strip to give it more strength. Draw a beautiful crown design on the band and cut it. You can make it more artistic by colouring/shading. With the help of glittery tube, you can write on it ‘Miss Go Green’ (for girls) or Mr. Go Green (for boys).

Step 12 – Hand Props / Pom-Poms
For the Pom-Poms/Hand Props, we need to thin roll the glazed sheet. Hold one corner of the paper and start rolling (not too tight) to end it up like a stick. Give narrow cuts to any one end of this rolled paper till 1/3^rd of its length. The cut sheets will tend to fall outwards giving it a look of a small tree or a flower. We can prepare the second prop for the other hand in the same manner.

So, after all the hard work done, you are ready with your fancy dress costume – totally self made!! You can make your child wear green coloured plain tee-shirt and brown coloured trousers/leggings. She/he can memorize few lines/short poem on trees to make everything look perfect.

I hope that I was able to explain the entire process effectively. Please message me if you have any queries or doubts. 
Also, Please share your views and suggestions on this post. I will be happy to address! Take Care!

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