Fortune Teller Machine Costume

I always like to challenge myself to do something fun and different for Halloween. I came across the idea of a fortune teller machine while searching the internet for costume ideas and decided to give it a go.

I started with a water heater box I found on the side of the road. I cut out windows in the front and sides, then I added some architectural "trim" details to give it some depth. I used Adobe Illustrator to draw out the top cornice element, and work out the text.

Once the construction was done, I applied a coat of primer to cover the existing print on the box. Applying with a roller keeps the surface smooth. Then I painted the body of the box using a dark red. By using heavy brush strokes and spreading the paint thin, I was able to make it look like wood.

For the lettering, I used the wax paper/ inkjet method to print, then rubbed the letters on to the box.


Next I used black duct tape to create straps to support the box and allow me to walk around hands free. The straps attach at the back, and to extra supports that I added under the ledge in front. I was having issues with the whole thing tilting forward when I was wearing it, so I also added a waist belt that connected to the back of the box. That kept everything level.
With the straps installed, I then added the curtains and remaining tassles and trim.

Using extra cardboard and hot glue, I put a little box under the money slot to catch coins (I made $4.37 at the debut party!). There is aslo a small box to hold the fortune cards I made. When someone inserted a coin (or pretended to because no one had any change!), I could grab a card from the box inside the costume, and slide it out through the fortune slot.


Using a plastic snow globe ball I got at Michaels, I made a crystal ball, and I printed off a few tarot cards to carry around.

For the fortune teller herself, I wore a silver wig, a ratty head scarf, and some wild jewelry. I also bought some sleeve length temporary tattoos which really made the outfit!

This costume was a lot of fun to make, but it was a LOT of work. If I'd known how much, I probably would have done something different. But I'm glad I saw it through, because it was a lot of fun to wear!