Saturday, September 17, 2011

Life-Size DIY Jack Skellington Prop

JACK  SKELLINGTON MEASUREMENTS IN PHOTO BELOW:




NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS Jack Skellington Prop

Cost: Approx. $25+

ASSEMBLY:

For Mr. Skellington, I started by finding all his measurements. Then I bought .5" PVC Pipes and .5" Connectors at Home Depot. Then for his head, I bought two half spheres of that green floral foam at Michael's (they didn't sell it in a full round ball). The head diameter is 8". The green floral foam is much softer and easier to carve than the regular white Styrofoam balls they sell. I got all my supplies home, referred to my scale guide I had made, and cut all the lengths of Jacks limbs, etc. (Remember that each PVC connector adds about .5" to 1" in length, account for that if you want your character to Be accurate). I used evenly distributed white glue to glue the two floral foam domes together to make a full sphere. While Jacks head was drying, I assembled his PVC pipe body. When his foam head was done drying i twisted it back and forth down onto the "neck"until it went in a few inches and was secure. I then pulled the head off, filled the hole with hot glue and placed the head back on. Now it will be permanently attached. You now have the frame work of Jack intact!

UPDATE:
tawni dilly suggests: you could drill holes thru pvc and put in a slightly longer screw with a bolt on end. that way he can change positions. Tighten when he is in position you want and untighten to change etc.

Also: I chose to make my Jack with 45* bent knee joints because I like how I
it looked. My Jack remains in a sitting position. However, if you would like your Jack to stand, I would recommend making his legs straight. This will make It easier to secure his legs to a wood base or into re bar in the front lawn. If you are going to give him straight legs, please remember to subtract a few inches off of his leg length. If you straighted his bent legs, he suddenly becomes taller and in my opinion out of proportion.
His total height should be about 7.5 feet tall approximately.


JACKS FACE:

Looking at a detailed picture of jacks face online (you can choose your favorite expression), I lightly (and carefully) traced on his eyes, nose holes, and mouth with a pencil.

Once I knew that the size and placement was correct, I used the pencil to carve deeper and deeper into his mouth and nose holes.

 For the eyes, I actually used a tea spoon to carve out the round shape...worked perfectly!

 Now paint the face and head using black and white acrylic paints. Head is done








CLOTHING:

I Purchased a few yards of the cheapest black fabric I could find at the fabric store. Clothes-making isn't my specialty. Basically, what I did was, Look at a picture of Jack's clothes for the accurate look, then laid down the PVC "stick figure" on the black fabric, used a white colored pencil for marking and traced around the figure. For the jacket, I cut out the front panel, and the back panel and hand stitched them together. For the pants (and long sleeves), I again measured the material against Jacks leg length, then cut the material. I used a sewing machine to sew the two pant legs into "tube" shapes, and left them somewhat open toward the top. I hand sewed the open top parts together to close off the top of the pants. I feel like I really didn't know what i was doing, so its probably really confusing to understand how I sewed the pants. Maybe ask someone you know that sews, it's really basic. I was too cheap to buy the pin striped material at the store, so I ended up using the white colored pencil to make stripes up and down his suit. It Actually Turned out a lot more accurate this way, because if you look at Jack's suit, it doesn't have perfectly uniform stripes. They are more squiggly and imperfect. Finish by adding a button to his suit and stuffing his chest with recycled plastic bags.



BAT BOW TIE, SHOES & JACK'S HANDS:

Bow Tie: Jack's signature Bat bow tie was made using the same method as the suit jacket. I just looked at a picture of the tie online, then traced it onto the material twice. I sewed the two pieces together around the edges with a sewing machine ( like making a pillow). Then I lightly stuffed the bat with batting and inserted a few wires to maintain its stiffness)

Shoes: I made tiny black shoes for Jack out of wood (with the help of my Grandfather). Then used black acrylic paint, and shellac spray for shine. We drilled .5" round holes into the tops of the shoes so the PVC pipe legs would fit into them.
(You could also carve the shoes out of pink/blue insulation foam and achieve the same result)

Hands: The hands are from Party City, they were just prop skeleton hands. I inserted wire and hot glue into them to make them pose able.


...Look who I found decorating the tree...
this picture I

76 comments:

  1. This is fantastic. Is there a chance I could get you to post or send me the measurements? I would greatly appreciate that. My email is cash.jason76@yahoo.com

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    Replies
    1. I will send you what i can Jason, and THANKS!

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    2. Kam, have you considered ever selling the stuff you make? Would love Jack Skellington. If you do, my email is slickorambler79@yahoo.com

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    3. me too please- agards2002@gmail.com

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  2. I love this! could you please send me measurements too? I would appreciate it! My email is dcsm2249 @att dot net

    Thanks,
    Vickie

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  3. Hello. This is my very first comment to any post to any blog so please know this is truly a compliment! :) last year I had a attempt on jack myself. It came out pretty well for a first attempt ever on a craft, BUT I wish I saw your blog last year... This is fantastic! I have to tell you that your projects are amazing and I will be making them all! I want to make NMBC my scene for my front porch though, so I'm gonna have to make some adjustments so they are waterproof (or condensation proof) :). Last year my son and I were jack and Sally together. I justified paying 60 for Sally's costume last year knowing this year I will be making a life size doll of her. So that project is about to start and I wonder if you may like to see the process? And offer any suggestions? :)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! And I'd love to talk to you about your prop projects. Leave me your email and we will talk and exchange ideas.
      -K

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  4. Can you email me the measurements for everything pretty please. chelseawoodworth@aol.com

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  5. Your Jack project turned out fabulous! Thanks so much for sharing how you did it! I always plan to do something like this but never get around to it. I think it's almost more fun watching other people make things.LOL

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  6. Could I have the measurements as well, please? Sapphiretigger@gmail.com thank you!

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  7. Same here I would love the measurements I will plan to do this in the feature lunetrox@aol.com
    Your bank you

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  8. I know it's going to sound dumb but I had difficulty understanding you'r measurements if I could please send them to lunetrox@me.com I love to send u pics of what I have lol it's a mess. Thanks

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  9. hi there i live in australia and i love what you have done could you please send me the measurements that would be great
    email me at bparrey@tpg.com.au

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  10. This is so awesome and the perfect Christmas present for my niece please email me the measurements of everything. Spunki33@gmail.com. Happy holidays

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  11. Hi Happy Holidays can you email me the measurements for jack
    Fen92404@yahoo.com

    Love your work

    Thank you

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  12. Hello, Your jack turned out amazing...I am actually building one as I type this now but got stuck in determining the right measurements for the limbs and pvc body...could you email me the body measurements please, please please?
    cluborbit@hotmail.com

    All the best.
    Gabe

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hello! I ran across this while looking for Jack Skellington. I so love your design. Could I also have the measurements please, looks like he is about 7ft tall! My email is chilegoddess41@hotmail.com

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  14. Like almost everyone on here; Can I please have the measurements for your life size jack design? It's the most amazing thing ever and I would love to have him sitting next to me this christmas! Email is yesy3196@hotmail.com
    Thanks in advance! Your work is fantastic and I will be making everything you have posted(:

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  15. Hi, there! I love, love, love your work-- your projects all look amazing, but Jack completely blows me away! Is there any chance you could send me his measurements? I want to make him as true to your design as possible! I'd love it if you could email me at mchambers17@gmail.com

    Thank you so much- I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for your future work!!

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  16. Omg!! This is soooo amazing!! May I please have the measurements as well. My email is panda_2291@yahoo.com.

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    Replies
    1. THIS IS AWESOME!! I am going to start this soon for I am also thinking about making the scarecrow at the beginning of the movie with the pumpkin head! I LOVE HALLOWEEN! Thanks for the measurements!!

      Happy HAUNTING!

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  17. I think it would be great if you would please just post the measurments :)I really don't like the idea of posting my email address.

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  18. HELLO! This is AMAZING! U R SOOOOOO TALENTED! Could u pleez' send the measurements to me as well! I would LOVE to attempt JACK! My addy is: sherida_132@hotmail.com THANK U KINDLY! :)

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  19. Could you please send me the measurements for Jack & Sally. I would love to make them this year. By the way, awesome job. Your very creative & talented.

    Thank You,
    Maria C.

    Maria.contreras06@gmail.com or yahoo.com

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  20. I would also love the measurements. My email is hbedford@ualberta.ca I really want to make one of these for my Jr. High classroom next year

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  21. May i too have the measurements, please:)) jusetteregalado@yahoo.com Great work:)

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  22. echo request, please send measurements to rzo100@gmail.com

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  23. well since everyone is asking and it would save me alot of confusion over numbers and multiplication. please send me the measurements you used. cgrreen@gmail.com thanks sweet heart and your work is breath taking, very inspiring :)

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  24. Can you please send me the measurements on jack my son love this move he haves his right arm tattoo with jack and sally and lock and shock and barrel and zero the dog. My email address is lori.chamblin@aol.com thank you so much.

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    Replies
    1. your sons a cool dood. goth kid growing up im guessing ? im in my mid 20s saw TNBC when i was ... little.. loved it ever since!

      Delete
  25. Despreate for mesurements in full, looking at making this with a wire frame, got a roll of galvanized steel begging to be used for a halloween prop. find me at GriftonDreadHead@gmail.com any other haunt ideas would be much appriciated. im a big halloween buff plus i had a baby ON halloween 2011 at 3:06 am so.. yeah Halloween is a BIG deal for my family!

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  26. Hi Grimm! The measurements are actually posted at the very top of this Jack Skellington post. Its a PNG image at the beginning of the post :)hope that helps.
    -K

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  27. Hello! This is to die for!!! Woooow youve got talent and I would love to re-create this for my halloween party....could you please send me measurements? Thanks. -Cece iluvmakeup@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The measurements are actually posted at the very top of this Jack Skellington post. Its a PNG image at the beginning of the post :)hope that helps.

      Delete
  28. Hello,
    This is very very cool and would love to get the measurements of how you did his suit, if thats possible! At my work we are doing a NBC themed halloween thing we do for kids every year and really want this to be the best it can be. you can just send me an email at joe_ram120@yahoo.com

    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't have the measurements for the suit. You have to construct your Jack Skellington, and then lay him out on the material and measure it out against his body. Trace around the body, taking note of lengths and widths.

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    2. is there any design you found to be the most useful in drawing out his suit? I have tried a number of times and it just is not turning out right.

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    3. I just looked at a picture of his suit and traced the shape make two pannels. Trace the front. Trace the back. Sew them together down the sides. I'm sorry, I'm not much help.

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  29. VERY AWESOME!!! Could you please send me the measurements you used for his PVC body? I would also love it if you could send the measurements for all the characters and props as I am going to make all of them for a yard scene for Halloween and Christmas. I cant wait! Thank you so much!
    My e-mail is nicholemassey08@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The measurements for Jack are actually at the top of this post, it is a PNG image. As for the rest of the characters, I will have to wait till I get them out of storage so I can measure them.

      Delete
  30. hi :) im in the oc, any chance you are open to making another jack for this halloween? let me know either way at llobel@cox.net and advise how much if you're interested. thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Im sorry, I will not be able to get a jack skellington together for this halloween.

      Delete
  31. Can you email me the measurements at karlafreitas.freitas@gmail.com thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The measurements are listed in a png image at the top of this post.

      Delete
  32. This is amazing. Can you email me any information you have on it. kdeaunee@yahoo.com Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The measurements are listed in a png image at the top of this post. I have included all the information I have in tis post. Thanks
      -K

      Delete
  33. Can you please email me the cut measurements of the pvc pipe and how many pipes and connectors you used, plus which types of connectors you used? Thx. Vlad
    vilinsky88@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The measurements are actually posted at the very top of this Jack Skellington post. Its a PNG image at the beginning of the post :)hope that helps.

      Delete
  34. I am borrowing your fabulous jack skellington idea. is there a way to have the pvc pipes connect so they don't fall off easily? I know that the idea is you can pose him different ways but my jack is falling apart. help

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    Replies
    1. I'm sorry that happened to you. Where exactly is jack falling part? Maybe try wrapping a layer of masking tape around the pipe where it goes into the connector, to make it fit more snug. If it is falling apart where you see a short inch pipe piece it may not be long enough to go far enough into the connector. Cut a longer piece. I'm not sure what else to do. Maybe someone else may have a better suggestion.
      -K

      Delete
  35. you could drill holes thru pvc and put in a slightly longer screw with a bolt on end. that way he can change postions. Tighten when he is in postion you want and untighten to change etc.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Thanks for the inspiration! If you have a chance, I would also appreciate your Jack size measurements please. My email is alyxbridwell@ gmail.com Again, thank you so very much for your awesome creativity!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. KAM3152October 19, 2013 at 9:31 AM
      The measurements are actually posted at the very top of this Jack Skellington post. Its a PNG image at the beginning of the post :)hope that helps.


      KAM3152October 19, 2013 at 9:31 AM
      The measurements are actually posted at the very top of this Jack Skellington post. Its a PNG image at the beginning of the post :)hope that helps

      Delete
  37. Just a thought for those with small homes, you can make the measurements smaller and make a child Jack aswell. At least thats what i did. Works great!

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  38. If i could get the measurements that would be fantastic..i just love Jack n Sally <3 gummybearcampbell@yahoo.com thank you!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The measurements are actually posted at the very top of this Jack Skellington post. Its a PNG image at the beginning of the post :)hope that helps

      Delete
  39. Oh MY Goodness!!! Girl - You are A-MAZ-ING! I love this. I love all of it!!! I think I love you!
    My son has finally gotten old to enjoy TNBC (I've been ever so patiently waiting...)
    Going to try my darndest to craft Mr. Skellington (and some of this other seriously awesome stuff) up for him.
    Thank you for sharing your most fantistical talent!!!

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  40. You are freaking amazing! You are incredibly talented and creative, and I will try to recreate this project for Halloween!!! Thank you for the tutorial!

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  41. Love this!!! Can I please have the measurements!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The measurements are postedvat the top of this page

      Delete
  42. When you say that you can drill holes in the PVC to make it adjustable, do you mean the joints? If so, would I have to cut the PVC anymore? Also, when you fitted the PVC pipes together, did you glue them at all? I'm constructing my Jack now for a N.B.C. themed fashion show fundraiser and he is going to be the main decoration on the main stage :) Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your would loose the joint pieces all together and screw the 2 ends of the PVC together . Something like this :
      https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/5b/b2/d6/5bb2d666a00121cc6cafb4491fcb1e0e.jpg
      No glue used, meant to be broken down for storage.

      Delete
  43. I love this prop! THANK YOU for posting the instructions and measurements. I'm thinking of adding this to my arsenal this year...only a couple of weeks to go! Just bought the 8" foam ball but it looks SO small for Jack. I read on a couple of other sites their heads were anywhere from 10" to 18" but the props were all around 7.5' tall. Anyone else have similar question? Doesn't really matter, I'm excited to begin my Jack! Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I calculated the custom scale for my Jack from a photograph. His head is 8" diameter and is in proportion to his body. If you want to make yours bigger, do what looks right to you.

      Delete
  44. Thank you so much for this I was able to make The jack Skellington santa. Wish I can share with you the photo of Santa jack.

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  45. hello, my three year old is obsessed with jack. Any chance you could send me the measurements @ sle526@yahoo.com
    This turned out great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. the measurements are at the top of this post in the first photo PNG, click to enlarge.

      Delete
  46. Hello i was looking online wanting to make jack and seen yours is the easiest could you please send me measurements thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. the measurements are at the top of this post in the first photo PNG, click to enlarge.

      Delete
  47. I would love to make this over the weekend if you will send me measurements @ dompagan1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. the measurements are at the top of this post in the first photo PNG, click to enlarge.

      Delete
  48. Great job! Seriously I'm speechless! You have talent. (:

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  49. Could you email me the measurements for this? You did a great job! This is exactly the look i want for a jack beside my christmas tree, then let him be apart of my livingroom year around!!! Please email me!!! morgangriffin1218@gmail.com thanks!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Hello how many pvc tubes did you use?

    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Such awesomeness. May i have the measurements?
    Tiffany05360@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete

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