Outfit// Newsboy Cap Borrowed (similar here) | Black Vest Forever 21 (similar here) | Light Grey Long Sleeve Button-Down INC International Concepts (similar here) | Red Plaid Scarf Tie Unknown | Black 501 Straight Leg Jeans Levi’s (here) | Black Hi-Top Shoes Steve Madden |
Armando was a real MVP when he put together his Bert the Chimney Sweep costume as part of our Mary Poppins couples costume.
He had the vest and pants already in his closet. We went to Crossroads Trading Co. and he picked up the long-sleeve button-down and the red tie scarf. The hat was borrowed from my dad’s closet.
For the broom prop, Armando ended up making it using the following items:
-Old broomstick (or wood craft dowel)
-Black paint
–Black pipe cleaners
–Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Armando first painted the broomstick black with some leftover paint he had. If you don’t have leftover paint handy, you can always swing by a Home Depot or paint store for a sample of black paint.
- Armando let the broom dry and afterward fired up the glue gun and began attached the black pipe cleaners. Place two black pipe cleaners in an X shape on one end of the broomstick or wooden dowel. Repeat by layering two more in the other direction to make an X the other way. Simply repeat the process until you have used as many pipe cleaners as to make your broom look full and mimic the effect of a chimney sweep’s broom. He bought two bags, but ended up using a very small amount from one bag. Depending on how dramatic you want your broom to be, you can have them long, but he was cutting his pipe cleaners depending on where they were attached.
- Dance on a rooftop and add some black makeup to give you the look of ash and soot, and you are done!
The broom was very easy to make and I hope the instructions help you make one if you need it for your DIY costume. If not, the option to buy the prop is also an option.
