DIY: Tech-o-Lantern Halloween Costume

Alycia
September 30, 2020

This Halloween, give a classic costume a techy DIY twist! We’re all spending more time at home these days, so it’s a perfect time to get creative. 

This glow-in-the-dark Jack-O-Lantern is easy, fun, and incredibly cheap to make. Plus, we’re pretty sure you already have most of the materials around the house. What’s not to love about that? 

Important: These instructions are meant to be followed and worked on by parents with their children, and shouldn't be carried out without adult supervision. 

Let’s jump in! 

Step1

First, gather your materials. You'll need:

  • 1 x 16.4ft El Wire- Bright White - There are many available on Amazon
  • 1 x Plastic canvas - This can also be purchased at any craft store
  • 2 x AA Batteries
  • 1 x Black or dark electrical tape
  • 1 x Orange t-shirt - Thinner material is better
  • 4 x Safety pins
  • 1 x Sharpie
  • 1 x Scissors
  • 1 x Pen or pencil
  • 1 x Paper

Step2

Next, sketch out some Tech-o-Lantern ideas. They can be scary, funny, or even traditional. Just make sure the design is simple enough to follow since 16ft of El Wire can get used up really quickly. For this DIY, we are going to use the happy/scary design on the bottom right.

Step3

You may need to cut down the canvas so the Tech-o-Lantern will fit the shirt. Remember to give yourself plenty of room on the sides so the canvas sits on the front of the shirt and doesn't bend.

Step4

Take the design you picked and sketch it on the plastic canvas. You may want to put some paper underneath so the Sharpie doesn't stain anything. It's okay if the design is a bit sketchy. It's going to be hidden inside the shirt.

Step5

Before we start attaching the El Wire, tape off a good 6"-9". Any part of the El Wire that is covered with tape will not shine. You want some extra length so the battery pack can fit safely in your pocket once you wear the Tech-o-Lantern costume.

Step6

Now it's time to start threading the El Wire. If the holes in the canvas are too small, use your scissors to snip some of the plastic connectors apart, making the holes bigger.

Step7

All you have to do is follow the design you've outlined. Start with the outside of the Tech-o-Lantern first, and try to keep most of the El Wire in the front. You will have a lot of wire to work with at first, but keep pulling it all through. You want the El Wire to be a bit snug.

Step8

Once you are back to your starting point, check your work. Make sure the wire is tight, but not so tight that it bends the canvas.

Step9

Flip the canvas over and thread the wire to the mouth. Before continuing, cover that connection with tape to keep any light from showing up between connections.

Step10

Now, keep following the design and finish the right half of the mouth. Since the mouth uses less curves than the outside of the Tech-o-Lantern, I didn't have to thread it through the canvas as much.

Step11

Flip the canvas over and start threading the eye just like you have been doing. Make sure the connecting wires are wrapped with tape so they don't show up when the power is on.

Step12

When finished with the left eye, thread the wire, following the sketch, from left tooth to right tooth. Then wire the right eye, making sure the connecting wires are covered with tape.

Step13

Now that you have wired the eyes, follow the sketch back down to the bottom of the mouth where you started. If you have leftover wire, you can trim it, tape it off, or add it to your design.

Step14

If you double up the El Wire, it gets brighter. We added the remaining wire to the eyes and teeth to give the Tech-o-Lantern a more realistic look.

Step15

Turn the shirt inside out and attach your wired canvas face-side down using the safety pins—one on each corner. If your design is heavy, you may want to use a few more pins. Once you are finished, turn the shirt right-side out.

Step17

Insert some batteries and turn that shirt on! If you are in a bright room, the light under the shirt will be very faint.

Step18

To see this costume in all its glory, hit the lights! The darker it gets, the brighter it will appear! Make sure to wear a tank top or t-shirt under your Tech-o-Lantern costume to protect your skin from the plastic canvas. Enjoy the best moment in any DIY project: stepping back and savoring your good work!

Speaking of which, we’ve got you covered with your next Halloween craft: a DIY Halloween wreath.

Now that you've crafted your DIY Jack-O-Lantern Halloween masterpiece, show it off on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! Upload your photos with hashtag #iDTechHalloween. We can't wait to see your awesome creations!

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