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The Man with the The Man with the HornsHorns

Headdresses on Leather BasesHeaddresses on Leather Bases

Elisa Bierschenk, Troy UniversityElisa Bierschenk, Troy University

Oberon in Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s A Midsummer Night’s DreamDream

Making the pattern: Making the pattern: draped in muslin over draped in muslin over a canvas wig block, following existing seamsa canvas wig block, following existing seams

Making the patternMaking the pattern

Highly recommend leather Does not wilt in heat and humidity Rigid but moldable Easily stitched

Leather Needle Heavy-duty scissors “Clackers”: fake plastic deer antlers X-acto knife Heavy-duty sport zipper: 9” Large hook and eye set ½” elastic- about 18” total Button thread Gorilla Glue Masking tape

MaterialsMaterials

MaterialsMaterials

Even if you start with a wig block that Even if you start with a wig block that matches the actor’s head circumference, matches the actor’s head circumference, there will still be discrepancies in the fit. there will still be discrepancies in the fit. Make a mockup out of muslin and fit Make a mockup out of muslin and fit directly on the head to insure the best fit directly on the head to insure the best fit possible. This is especially important for possible. This is especially important for guaranteeing accurate placement of the guaranteeing accurate placement of the “hairline” and cutaways for the ears. No “hairline” and cutaways for the ears. No zipper necessary for this step.zipper necessary for this step.

Do a mockup and fit to actor’s headDo a mockup and fit to actor’s head

Joining the piecesJoining the pieces

Zipper applicationZipper application

<<< Remove a ¼” strip of leather from each side of the zipper opening to reduce bulk and leave room for the teeth and zipper head.

Masking tape in lieu of pins tears right out when you’re done! >>>

Zipper applicationZipper application

Securing to headSecuring to head

Skin-tone elastic is fitted to go under the chin and along either side of the ear. This pulls the leather cap in snug along the nape and helps it hold fast at the hairline.

Additional closuresAdditional closures

Additional closuresAdditional closures

Adding the hornsAdding the horns

Adding the hornsAdding the horns

Things that don’t work, by the way:

•Buckram base•Foam to still the wobble•Only stitching the horns

Adding the hornsAdding the horns

At this point, the horns had been to rehearsal, and we’d tied that ugly shoe lace around the horns to hold them steady.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

We left the shoe lace, and added Gorilla Glue to fill in gaps between the leather and the horns. We chose this glue because it expands as it cures and does not become brittle.

Adding the hornsAdding the horns

Adding the hornsAdding the horns

Actual deer have a skull to hold the antlers steady. The Gorilla Glue and shoe lace combo were an ugly but effective substitute.

You can buy these taxidermy pieces, but we would have never been able to afford such giant, even antlers, assuming we could even find them.

Securing to headSecuring to head