How to Make a Costume Prop Monocle for Your Cat, Kid, or Costume Party
Learn How to Make a Very Inexpensive Costume Monocle
Why would you want to make a faux monocle for your cat? Is it because you can never get him to wear the fake hook or the eye patch to dress up like a pirate and the peg leg is right out? Well, whatever the reason you have for wanting to make a dress-up monocle for your cat, your kid, or yourself for a Halloween costume party, here are the instructions to make a pretty good-looking and inexpensive photo prop.
Rupert the Cat Is Not Amused, but He Sure Is Cute in His Monocle!
Handsome ginger cat wearing a prop fake monocle
Kylyssa Shay
Construction Materials
Materials You Will Need:
- Elmer's Glue-All or a similar craft glue
- One sheet of construction paper
- Scissors
- A cylindrical object of the appropriate size
- Plastic Wrap
- Water
Choose construction paper of the color you wish the finished monocle to be. The "wetting" effect of the glue will cause the finished monocle to be very slightly darker than the construction paper it is made with so choose your paper accordingly.
For light colored cats, I recommend making a black monocle as it will show up best. For black or dark colored cats I recommend a light grey monocle. For human beings, choose a color that contrasts nicely with the person's skin tone so the prop will look great in photos, even in less-than-perfect lighting.
Cylindrical Objects of the Appropriate Size for Monocle Making
photo by Kylyssa Shay
The Construction Base Determines the Size of the Finished Prop
Choose an item like a salt shaker, a contact lens case, or a C battery or a test tube to serve as the construction base. For a larger monocle, such as for a human adult or larger child, you can use a shot glass or a D battery. Anything waterproof, cylindrical, and of the correct diameter should work.
Wrap Cylinder in Plastic Wrap
Plastic wrap prevents the finished monocle from sticking to the tube.
Step 1
Wrap whatever cylinder of appropriate size you've chosen in plastic wrap.
Cut Strips of Paper for Faux Monocle
photo by Kylyssa Shay
Step 2
Cut six strips about one eighth of an inch wide from the edge of the construction paper. Precision is unnecessary.
Mix Water and Glue
A little glue and water is all that is necessary.
Step 3
Mix a few drops of Elmer’s Glue with water, at a ratio of three parts water to one part glue.
Moisten Paper Strip with Glue Water
Wetting paper strips with diluted Elmer's glue
Step 4
Dredge one strip of construction paper through the glue and water solution.
Wrap Paper Strips Around Cylinder
This step forms the monocle proper.
Step 5
Moisten three of the paper strips, one at a time, and wrap them around the plastic-wrapped cylinder of appropriate size, leaving a short "tail" of paper strip sticking off. Set aside the project and allow it to dry for at least an hour.
photo by Kylyssa Shay
Step 6: Remove Ring from Cylinder
Remove the monocle ring from the cylinder and bend the paper "tail" back.
Form the Hanging Loop
A few bends, a bit of glue, and you have a loop to hang it by.
Step 7: Form the Loop on the Side of the Monocle
Bend the paper tail around into a loop and glue the remainder of the tail to the ring.
Finish Monocle with Remaining Paper Strip
finished costume monocle, photo by Kylyssa Shay
Step 8: Thread the Remaining Long Strip of Paper Through the Loop and Glue in Place
Thread the remaining paper strip through the loop on the side of the ring and glue the ends of it together, forming the "cord" from which the faux monocle hangs. Set it aside to dry for at least an hour and enjoy.
A Very Tolerant Model
Rupert Neuman the Non-Human wearing a costume monocle
Too Much Work? - Pre-Made Dress-Up Prop
Bored and slightly annoyed marmalade kitty in costume monocle
Irritated orange cat wearing a monocle. While Rupert was a very good sport, he didn't feel like opening his eye. He later killed the monocle and he and his sister played with it all afternoon.
Would You Make a Costume Monocle?
profitsimon on October 29, 2012:
This lens made me laugh! Thank you!
crispwrites on September 02, 2012:
Fun lens - but I'm sure my cats would hate me forever if I made them wear that :-)
Ben Z98 on September 01, 2012:
Creative!
Kirsti A. Dyer from Northern California on August 31, 2012:
Very creative lens.
