Thebarracudas’s Weblog

carnival materials

aluminium from Simmal

fibre glass rod from RBJ Plastics

For headdress frames (Brazilian style), see ‘front page’ tab on this blog (June entry)

Another thing requested is the plasterzoate foam.  If you just need a little, try Pentonville Rubber

Here’s a list of some of suppliers

Barracudas 01229 812036, email: barracudas.carnival@googlemail.com

12 Comments

12 responses so far ↓

  • Vic // February 9, 2009 at 11:28 am | Reply

    Hi am working with v small village primary school making carnival costumes – on trail of aluminium rods for basic back pack and kite fabric but what other materials would you recommend we use to keep construction light? Is there some kind of pastic tubing / rods that are bendy and light for shaping framework?

  • thebarracudas // February 9, 2009 at 12:54 pm | Reply

    Hi Vic
    We get our aluminium rods from Simmals in Preston. For small backpacks we have also just used bamboo cane, though this would have to be padded with foam. I think what you are looking for is fibre glass rod, which we get from RBJ Plastics. Kite fabric is ok to use. I use dress fabrics as they are light and floaty, but you do have to get the sewing machine out. Julie

  • Vic // February 10, 2009 at 7:07 pm | Reply

    Thank you very much for the advice! We’re only making 6 of the `big’ costumes between 30 children so the minimum order is a problem – we really don’t anticipate needing hundreds of rods! I’ll contact you soon about that, thanks. It’s really lovely to get a response – I’ve sent out so many e-mails to bands and artists – I did get lots of useful information from one carnival artist but absolutely zero response from all the others! Your help is really appreciated. Vic

  • trudy // March 31, 2009 at 10:50 am | Reply

    hi i’m doing a dissertation on carnival and is needing to find out what materials would be used to create a large costume for carnival. I wonder if you would be able to help me in any way?

  • Agata // May 29, 2009 at 12:42 am | Reply

    Hi! I need to buy headframe + back frame or shoulder frame. I am having LOTS OF TROUBLE finding someone that sale it! Please help me out :-)
    Send me an e-mail to
    agatika_g@yahoo.ca
    THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

  • thebarracudas // May 31, 2009 at 10:12 am | Reply

    we will soon be supplying more carnival materials

  • sarah // August 31, 2009 at 4:12 pm | Reply

    hi, i am doing A level textiles and i am making a carnival costume.
    I am unsure what materials are used to make the costume, would you be able to help me with any information?
    sarah

  • thebarracudas // September 1, 2009 at 8:33 am | Reply

    Hi Sarah
    I think you can use anything you want. I saw a great costume in Rio made from crisp packets, and I have made one from Mintcake wrappers. It just depends on what kind of costume you would like to make. Have you done a design?
    Julie

  • sarah // September 2, 2009 at 6:54 pm | Reply

    oh right thank you. are there any materials used more than others when making a costume?

  • DRE // November 24, 2009 at 10:01 pm | Reply

    hello. i need some help on trying to make a carnival backpack. i made one for school as a science project with my group, but i wasnt sure if i used the correct wire. so can you please list me with all the supplies and wires you use to make this carnival backpack. thank you

  • thebarracudas // November 25, 2009 at 9:49 am | Reply

    We use aluminium for ours which we get from Simmals in Preston – there is a list of suppliers which you can download from this site above. We use rivets to fasten it together… may have a template somewhere in the workshop, so if you send your details to our email etc…
    barracudas.carnival@googlemail.com

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