Cardboard Flounder Fun

          This costume idea originated in a school project. We were challenged to design a marine related costume using only slotted construction and recycled cardboard. We were not allowed to use any type of adhesive that could prevent the ability for the costume to separate and store easily. As the project progressed, new ideas were formed, and eventually, the final product came to be. 

                                                                         Design Brief
          In order to promote the "being green" concept, build a costume using recycled cardboard. Use slotted construction and no fasteners or adhesives to give the costume the ability to store flat and easy. 
                                                                   
                                                                      Specifications
     - use recycled cardboard to build costume
     - use slotted construction to assemble the costume
    
                                                                            Limits
     - cardboard only
     - no fasteners or adhesive
     - slotted construction to assemble parts

Item          Material Description        Quantity             Size                         Remarks - Part
S1                Cardboard Sheet                  1             7 feet x 6 feet         You may use more than                                                                                                                     one sheet if u can't find one                                                                                                                         this big. Make sure                                                                                                           the sheets are big enough, however.


Item                             Tool                                                                     Use
 T1                          Cutting Mat                           Protect surface on which the cardboard is cut.
 T2                          Utility Knife                                      Cut the cardboard into pieces.
 T3                               Ruler                                      Measure pieces and cut straight lines.
 T4                              Pencil                                  Draw template on cardboard for where to cut.
 T5          Circle Template or Compass       Assist in cutting well-measured circles or ovals.

Step 1. Use the ruler (T3) and pencil (T4) to draw an oval 3 feet long and 2 feet wide on the cardboard sheet (S1).

Step 2. Use the utility knife (T2) to cut on the penciled in lines on the cardboard sheet (S1).

Step 3. Use the utility knife (T2) to cut a slot 1/4 inch by 3 inches out of the bottom of the cardboard sheet (S1).

Step 4. Use the compass (T5) to draw a circle with a 6 inch diameter offset to the top of the cardboard sheet (S1).

Step 5. Use the utility knife (T2) to cut the circle out of the cardboard sheet (S1).

Step 6. Repeat steps 1 through 5 to make two complete cardboard fish bodies (P1).  

Step 1. Use the compass (T5) to draw a half-circle with a 1.5 foot radius on the cardboard sheet (S1).

Step 2. Use the pencil (T4) and ruler (T3) to connect the ends of the half-circle.

Step 3. Use the utility knife (T2) to cut out the cardboard fish tail (P2).

Step 4. Use the utility knife (T2) to cut a 1/4 inch by 3 inch slot in the center on the straight side of the cardboard fish tail (P2).

Step 1. Use the ruler (T3) and pencil (T4) to draw a rectangle 3 feet by 8 inches in the cardboard sheet (S1).

Step 2. Use the utility knife (T2) to cut the cardboard connector (P3) out of the cardboard sheet (S1).

Step 3. Use the utility knife (T2) to cut three 1/4 inch by 3 inch slot in the cardboard connector (P3). Cut one slot in the middle on the bottom and the other two slots 2 feet apart on the opposite side.

Item                 Quantity                   Part List
 P1                         2               Cardboard Fish Body
 P2                         1                Cardboard Fish Tail
 P3                         1               Cardboard Connector

Step 1. Insert the slot on the bottom of the cardboard fish tail (P2) to the slot on the cardboard connector (P3) on the side with one slot.

Step 2. Insert the slot on each cardboard fish body (P1) into the two slots on the top of the cardboard connector (P3).