• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Spandex Simplified
  • About Us
  • Tutorials
    • Table of Contents
    • Design Tutorials
    • Patterning Tutorials
    • Sewing Tutorials
  • Resources
  • Book Store
  • FAQ
  • Contact Us
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About Us
  • Tutorials
    • Table of Contents
    • Design Tutorials
    • Patterning Tutorials
    • Sewing Tutorials
  • Resources
  • Book Store
  • FAQ
  • Contact Us
×

Maleficent's Headpiece

Published: Sep 16, 2021

Note: This site is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for the site to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.

Sharing is caring!

  • Reddit
  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Tumblr

How I Made That: Maleficent's Headpiece

Originally published on Celebration Generation on February 10, 2015. Updated and moved over to this blog on 9/16/2021

2 photos of a cosplayer wearing the Maleficent headpiece and horns. Red text overlay says How I Made that: Maleficent's Headpiece.

How I Made That: Maleficent's Headpiece & Horns. Not quite a tutorial, but full of great info and photos on how to make the headpiece.

Back in October, I posted a Cosplay Tutorial: Maleficent's Staff, and I've since posted an overview on How to Make a Maleficent Costume.

As Maleficent has been one of the costumes that generates the most email questions for me, seemed like a good idea!

I have been meaning to post a tutorial on how to make the headpiece, but - as it turns out - I didn't take any photos of the earlier steps. So, here we are with a "How I Made That", instead!

How to Make Maleficent’s Headpiece

You Will Need

A Mannequin Head*
Vaseline
Plaster Bandages
Aluminum Foil
Paperclay
Spray Adhesive
Twine
Black Plasti-Dip Spray
Black Acrylic Craft Paint
Pros-Aide No Tack
Stretchy, Textured Black Fabric
Shiny Black Metallic Spandex

* I had a cement casting of my Maleficent model's head. You can use a mannequin head, balloon, etc. For the best fit, consider wearing a wig or bald cap, and covering your head with plastic wrap.

Make The Maleficent Headpiece Base

So, let me first detail what all went on before I thought to start taking photos 🙂

I greased the casting of my model’s head with vaseline, and laid down some wet plaster tape in a rough shape of the base head cap - round in the back, peaked downward in the front.

I did about 3 layers, and let it harden fully before removing it and trimming it to the right shape.

Make the Maleficent Horns

For things like this, I like to start with a base of crunched-up aluminum foil - it's lightweight, easy to form, and holds shape well. I took the time to make two symmetrical horns.

Keep them slightly less bulky than you’re aiming for - you still have to add layers of plaster, twine, etc!

Using thin strips of plaster tape, I wet, wrapped, and smoothed a couple layers of plaster from the tip down towards the base of each horn.

With the cap part centered on the head casting, I used more strips of plaster tape to securely affix the horns to the cap base, taking care to keep them symmetrical. Then, I let that harden completely.

A plaster set of Maleficent's Horns are sculpted onto a plaster headpiece base.

Using some "Fast Mache" paperclay, I filled out and smoothed over the horns. Let that dry completely.

Grey Paperclay has been added to the horns, to bulk them out and smooth them out.

I sprayed the horns with Super 77 spray adhesive, and wrapped them with twine. Let that dry completely.

Twine has been wrapped around the horns to give them a ridged appearance.

Painting Maleficent’s Headpiece

Once the whole thing had dried *completely*, I coated it all with a layer of black Plasti-Dip. This will protect the plaster from outside moisture.

Black paint has been applied to the headpiece and the bottom part of Maleficent's Horns.

Once that was dry, I painted it with black PAX paint, for a nicer finish.

Maleficent's headpiece and horns have been completely coated in shiny black paint.

*****

What is PAX paint, you may ask?

It’s a product from the theatrical / special fx makeup community came up with. It’s intended to make a body makeup that stays well and forms a secure base for application of fx makeup and prosthetics.

I like to use it in costuming, as the Pros-Aide adds durability to the paint, allows for some flex, prevents chipping/flaking, etc.

To make PAX paint, take some acrylic craft paint, and mix in an equal amount of Pros-Aide No Tack. That’s it!

Covering and Draping Maleficent’s Headpiece

I draped a small piece of textured black fabric (stretchy) over the headpiece, trimming it and cutting holes out for the horns.

Once I was satisfied with how it looked, I sprayed the back of it with Super 77, and glued it down to the headpiece, smoothing out all the wrinkles, etc.

Matte, textured black fabric has been added to the base of the headpiece, like a cap.

I draped a piece of shiny metallic black lycra over it, trimming to form the "V" trim.

Once I was satisfied with the shape and fit, I glued it into place with Super 77, folding edges to the underside of the cap.

The bottom edge of Maleficent's Headpiece has been trimmed with shiny black metallic spandex.

Using a larger piece of black metallic lycra, I draped one side of the ... I don't know what I'd call it. Skull cap? Cowl? Sort of?

Keep in mind that this draping is what keeps the headpiece on the head, so you want it snug.

Anyway, I draped that on one side, pinning in place, in the back.

A two part image showing shiny black metallic spandex being draped around the base of the horns and headpiece.

Then I used another large piece of black metallic lycra to drape the other side, overlapping the first.

Maleficent's headpiece and horns, completed and resting on a head form.

Once I was happy with it, I hand-stitched the pieces together up the back, sewing right up to the horns to secure everything in place.

..... aaaaand finished!

A cosplayer wearing the Maleficent headpiece and horns.

A close up view of a cosplayer dressed as Maleficent.

For more photos of this stunning costume, head on over to our Facebook page. We have an album for it HERE.

More Cosplay Posts

Looking for more Cosplay tutorials and posts? Here are a few for you:

Cosplay Photography Tips
Katniss Wedding Gown Wings
How I Made the Maleficent Costume
How I Made the MCU Hela Costume
How to Add a Sole to Boot Covers
How to Make Basic Spandex Gloves
How to Make Fancy Spandex Gloves
How to Make Spandex Boot Covers
Maleficent Staff Tutorial
Poured Latex Smaug Top
Thranduil Crown Tutorial
Triceracop Costume
Weeping Angel Costume Tutorial

Share the Love!

Be sure to take some pics of your handiwork! If you post it to Bluesky, be sure to tag us - @SpandexSimplified.

Also, be sure to follow me on Pinterest, and subscribe to my Youtube Channel, so you never miss out on any of my nonsense.

Well, the published nonsense, anyway!

A close up view of a cosplayer dressed as Maleficent.
Print

How to Make Maleficent's Headpiece

How I Made That: Maleficent's Headpiece & Horns. Not quite a tutorial, but full of great info and photos on how to make the headpiece.
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Active Time2 hours hrs
Drying Time2 days d
Total Time2 days d 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
Keyword: Maleficent, Maleficent Cosplay, Maleficent Costume, Maleficent Halloween Costume, maleficent headpiece, maleficent horns, maleficent's headpiece, maleficent's horns
Yield: 1 headpiece
Cost: 25

Equipment

  • A Mannequin Head

Materials

  • Vaseline
  • Plaster Bandages
  • Aluminum Foil
  • Paperclay
  • Spray Adhesive
  • Twine
  • Black Plasti-Dip
  • Black Acrylic Craft Paint
  • Pros-Aide No Tack
  • Stretchy Textured Black Fabric
  • Shiny Black Metallic Spandex

Instructions

  • Whatever you're using for a head form, grease it up with with vaseline.
  • Lay down some wet plaster tape in a rough shape of the base head cap. I did about 3 layers, and let it harden fully before removing it and trimming it to the right shape.
  • Make the horns. For things like this, I like to start with a base of crunched up aluminum foil - it's lightweight, easy to form, and holds shape well. I took the time to make two symmetrical horns.
  • Using thin strips of wet plaster tape, wrap and smooth a couple layers of plaster from the tip down towards the base of each horn.
  • With the cap part centered on the head casting, use more strips of plaster tape to securely affix the horns to the cap base, taking care to keep them symmetrical. Then, let that harden completely.
  • Using some "Fast Mache" paperclay, fill out and smooth over the horns. Let that dry completely.
  • Spray the horns with Super 77 spray adhesive, and wrap them with twine. Let that dry completely.
  • Once the whole thing had dried *completely*, coat it all with a layer of black Plasti-Dip. This will protect the plaster from outside moisture. Once that is dry, paint it with black PAX paint, for a nicer finish.
  • Drape a small piece of textured black fabric (stretchy) over the headpiece, trimming it and cutting holes out for the horns.
  • Once you're was satisfied with how it looks, spray the back of it with Super 77, and glue it down to the headpiece, smoothing out all the wrinkles, etc.
  • Drape a piece of shiny metallic black lycra over it, trimming to form the "V" trim. Once satisfied with the shape and fit, glue it into place with Super 77, folding edges to the underside of the cap.
  • Using a larger piece of black metallic lycra, drape one side of the ... I don't know what I'd call it. Skull cap? Cowl? Sort of? Anyway, drape that on one side, pinning in place.
  • Use another large piece of black metallic lycra to drape the other side, overlapping the first.
  • Once you're happy with it, hand stitch the pieces together, sewing right up to the horns to secure everything in place.

Related posts:

A person dressed as a weeping angel statue in a park. Weeping Angel Costume A man in a police uniform and oversized triceratops helmet - Triceracop Cosplay. Triceracop Costume A plastic replica of a Thranduil crown - from The Hobbit -painted to look realistically like wooden twigs. Small branches of red plastic leaves are woven among the branches. Thranduil Crown Tutorial A photo taken over the shoulder of a Maleficent cosplayer. She is looking at the top of her staff, and her reflection is visible in the gazing ball. Maleficent Staff Tutorial
« Maleficent Staff Tutorial
Maleficent Costume »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. HDStreamz App

    August 27, 2024 at 4:00 am

    I absolutely loved this post! The step-by-step instructions made it so much easier to understand how to create Maleficent's headpiece. Can't wait to try it out for my next costume party! Thank you for sharing your tips!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

WELCOME TO OUR BLOG!

A front view and rear view of a spandex dress, pink with black lines.

I've been sewing spandex for 30 years, and have written 6 books about it. Now I'm going to blog EVERYTHING!

More about me →

Join us on Social Media

Bluesky logo - a blue stylized icon. YouTube logo - a red stylized icon. Pinterest Logo - White on red background.


HOW TO APPLIQUE SPANDEX


Front and back views of a beautiful figure skating dress. The lower part of the dress is black, turning into a flame design going up to the shoulders. Ever wonder how spandex costumers sew such intricate details, using pieces of different spandex?
Click the pic to learn how!

META

Site Admin

Logout

Entries Feed

Comments Feed


Most Recent Posts

  • The bodice of a figure skating dress made to look like Ursula's dress, from The Little Mermaid.
    The Ursula Dress
  • A strappy black bikini top on a dress form.
    Strappy Underwire Bikini Top
  • A close up photo of a sparkling pink and blue bodysuit with crystals, sequins, and beads.
    Taylor Swift Lover Outfit
  • A closeup view of the bodice of a Taylor Swift Reputation Outfit on a mannequin.
    Reputation Leotard Part 3

Footer

About

  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Contact

Newsletter

  • Click here to sign up for emails and updates

Our Other Blogs

  • Celebration Generation
  • Beyond Flour
  • Low Carb Hoser
  • 2 Nerds in a Truck
  • Marie Back on Ice
  • Autism Rants

Note: This site is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for the site to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites. While I’ll only ever link to items that I, personally, wholeheartedly recommend, I do need to put that disclosure out there!

Copyright © 2024 Foodie Pro on the Foodie Pro Theme

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkRead more