DIY Life-Sized Sally from "The Nightmare Before Christmas" Using PVC Pipe
- ohanaorg
- Oct 7, 2024
- 4 min read
Sally, the beloved character from "The Nightmare Before Christmas," can be brought to life with a creative and simple DIY project using PVC pipes. This guide will take you step by step through the process of building a life-sized version of Sally, perfect for adding a spooky yet charming touch to your Halloween decor.
DIY Life Size Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas
- **PVC Pipes:**
- (2) 10-foot lengths of 1-inch diameter PVC pipe (for the frame)
- (1) 10-foot length of 3/4-inch diameter PVC pipe (for arms)
- **PVC Pipe Connectors:**
- (2) 1-inch T-joints
- (4) 1-inch elbow joints
- (2) 1-inch cross joints
- (2) 3/4-inch elbow joints
- **PVC Pipe Cutter or Hacksaw**
- **Measuring Tape**
- **PVC Cement (optional, for extra stability)**
- **White and Light Blue Spray Paint (for body parts)**
- **Red Yarn (for hair)**
- **Fabric (variety of colors for Sally’s patchwork dress, approx. 3 yards)**
- **Styrofoam Ball (for the head, at least 12 inches in diameter)**
- **Black Marker or Paint (for Sally's face and stitches)**
- **Hot Glue Gun**
- **Wooden Dowels (optional, for extra stability in arms)**
- **Needle and Thread (optional, for sewing fabric pieces together)**
Step 1: Build the Base Frame
1. **Measure and Cut the PVC Pipes:**
- Start by cutting one of the 10-foot, 1-inch PVC pipes into two pieces: one 5.5 feet long (for the spine) and one 4.5 feet long (for the legs).
- Cut the other 10-foot pipe into two 2.5-foot pieces (for the legs) and two 3-foot pieces (for the arms).
2. **Assemble the Legs:**
- Attach the two 2.5-foot PVC pipes to the 4.5-foot PVC pipe using T-joints. This will create the T-shape for Sally’s legs.
- Connect the 1-foot PVC pipes to the bottom of the T-joints to complete the legs.
3. **Attach the Spine:**
- Use a cross joint to connect the spine (5.5-foot PVC pipe) to the top of the legs. This joint will also connect the arms later.
Step 2: Create the Arms
1. **Cut and Shape the Arms:**
- Cut the 3/4-inch PVC pipe into two pieces, each about 3 feet long. These will be Sally’s arms.
- If desired, add elbow joints at the “elbow” area to give Sally’s arms a more natural bend.
2. **Attach the Arms:**
- Insert the arms into the cross joint connected to the spine.
- Use 3/4-inch elbow joints to connect shorter pieces of PVC pipe to the ends of the arms to form hands.
3. **Optional Stability:**
- For extra stability, insert wooden dowels inside the arms before connecting them.
Step 3: Add Sally’s Head
1. **Prepare the Styrofoam Head:**
- Draw Sally’s face on the Styrofoam ball using a black marker or paint. Add her iconic stitches and large eyes. You can also paint the head light blue to match Sally's skin tone.
2. **Attach the Head:**
- Place the Styrofoam head on top of the spine using a hot glue gun for secure attachment.
#### Step 4: Paint and Dress Sally
1. **Paint the PVC Frame:**
- Spray paint the arms and legs light blue to match Sally’s skin tone. You can also paint her hands and feet (if you decide to add them) to match.
2. **Create the Patchwork Dress:**
- Using different colored fabrics, cut out various shapes to create Sally’s patchwork dress. Either sew the pieces together or hot glue them directly onto the frame. Make sure the dress is loose and flowing, similar to Sally’s outfit in the movie.
3. **Add the Hair:**
- Cut long strands of red yarn and attach them to the top of the Styrofoam head with hot glue to create Sally’s hair. You can braid some sections or leave it flowing to match her look.
Step 5: Final Touches
1. **Add Details:**
- Use a black marker or paint to add stitches to Sally’s arms and legs, giving her that stitched-together appearance.
- If desired, you can make a pair of shoes for Sally by cutting out foam or cardboard and painting them to match her style.
2. **Optional Additions:**
- Create Sally’s signature potion bottle using a small glass jar or bottle. Attach it to her hand with a piece of string or hot glue.
- Consider adding an extra layer of fabric to create a shawl or wrap for Sally, giving her a more finished look.
Step 6: Display Your Sally
- **Stability:** If placing Sally outside, ensure she’s stable by weighing down the base with sandbags or securing her to the ground with stakes.
- **Pose:** You can adjust Sally’s arms and legs to give her a welcoming or spooky pose, depending on the effect you want.
Now you have your very own life-sized Sally, ready to stand alongside Jack or greet visitors on her own. This DIY project is a creative way to add a bit of Halloween Town magic to your home.
Final Tips:
- Feel free to experiment with the dress’s design by adding more intricate patchwork patterns.
- If you want a more detailed face, consider using fabric paint or felt pieces to create Sally’s eyes and lips.
- You can scale Sally’s size up or down by adjusting the length of the PVC pipes.
This DIY project is a fun and creative way to bring one of the most beloved characters from "The Nightmare Before Christmas" to life. Share your Sally creation and any unique twists you added to the design!
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