How to Get Started
- Start Early!
- Read through the official rules and regulations of the contest.
- Find a date willing to help you make your duct tape formalwear – and willing to wear it to prom.
- Think through and sketch out your ideas for the outfits. Think about the design, pattern, color combination and how it can be accessorized.
- Once you've determined your design, we recommend creating a timeline to help keep you on track to finish in time for prom.
- Purchase your duct tape and start creating. Don't forget to enlist the help of family and friends!
How to Make Your Outfits
There are three basic methods to make a duct tape outfit:
- Method One: Duct Tape to Duct Tape. Make a variety of duct tape fabrics and piece them all together. To make a duct tape fabric, lay strips of duct tape sticky side up on a work surface, slightly overlapping each other. Then, cover this sheet with strips of duct tape, sticky side down, until you've covered the entire sheet. Trim off any sticky edges and repeat – piecing the pieces together as you work. Once you have a large duct tape fabric, you can cut your pattern out of the fabric, just like making clothes out of traditional materials.
- Method Two: Duct Tape and Traditional Fabric. Cover fabric with duct tape and then cut your design from this. This is a bit easier than 100% duct tape. To cover the fabric, lay it on a flat surface, tape the edges down do it doesn't move, and then start to cover the fabric by laying strips of duct tape on it, with each strip slightly overlapping the last. For consistency, lay each strip down in the same direction.
- Method Three: Duct Tape over Existing Clothes. Simply tape over an existing piece of clothing – but make sure it's not something you want to keep. Guys can tape over an old suit jacket and pants; ladies can tape over an old dress or thrift store find. This method is the easiest to make, but the hardest to make look good since you're working with already-created folds and hems.
To assemble your garments:
- More duct tape. Note that this might not hold up as well as other methods.
- Staples. Put two pieces of fabric together and staple along the seam. Make sure you press hard enough to ensure the staple is fully pushed through. To keep staples from scratching or coming undone, tape over them with strips of duct tape.
- Sewing. We recommend against using a sewing machine, given that duct tape is sticky and will likely leave you with a mess. Sewing by hand is your best option. Use a large needle and spray it lightly with a cooking spray before you put it through the fabric. This will keep the adhesive from building up on your needle. Remember that any stitches will probably be seen, so use a clear thread, or one that is the color of your garment. And, be sure to wipe away any grease left behind on the garments.
- Buttons, snaps and zippers: These can help make getting in and out of your clothes much easier.
Buttons and snaps will most likely need to be sewn onto the garment. They can be functional and fashionable.
Zippers are probably the easiest to "install," and will probably give you the best result. To install a zipper, cut a slit in your garment where you would like the zipper to be. Then use staples on either side of the zipper.
- Grommets: These are great for making holes that you can use to lace up your outfit(s). Then, you can make duct tape string to lace up your dress (or tux).
How to Accessorize
Making the outfits is just the beginning. Outfits will be judged based on accessories, too (it's 10% of your total score). Here are a few for consideration:
- Shoes and Tie: These are the small details that can earn you extra points.
- Purse, Cell Phone Case and Wallet: Carry everything you need in something that matches – or complements – your outfits.
- Flowers: You can customize your corsage or boutonnière to match your outfits perfectly.
- Hair: You can wear duct tape flowers in your hair, or even make your own tiara or top hat.
- Jewelry: Think about what goes with your outfit, but try not to take away from the design of your outfit.
How to Take the Perfect Picture
- Make sure it's high-resolution. We mean a large file, 300 dpi or ppi. If needed, set your camera to the highest setting possible to take the picture.
- This year, you can submit up to a total of five (5) photos – so, we recommend not cluttering your photo by Photoshopping a collage of pictures of your accessories, outfit details and more.
- Photos can be taken anywhere – it does not have to be at the prom.
- Smile and pose for the photos – have some fun!
- Pick a background that will accent the outfits, but be sure the chosen backdrop doesn't blend in.
- Remember: if a professional photo is entered, a photography release form signed by the photographer must accompany the submission.
How to Tell If You're Infriniging on Copyrighted Material
- Are you thinking of using characters from movies, books or video games?
- What about a tribute to a sports team or brand by using its logo?
- How about an album cover or lyrics from your favorite band?
- Or, how about recreating a beloved piece of art?
If these ideas seem great, it's probably because they've already been thought of. We want to see the most unique, colorful and original designs that come out of your heads. If you use any of the above – or any other copyright-protected material – you and your date will be subject to disqualification at the discretion of our Stuck at Prom and legal teams.
How to Make it to the Top 10
Pay close attention to the judging criteria:
- Workmanship (30%): the quality, neatness and attention to detail given in creating the outfits and accessories.
- Originality (25%): the uniqueness, inventiveness, creativity and original thought of the outfits and accessories.
- Use of Color (15%): the combination, integration and harmony of colors used to create the outfits and accessories.
- Accessories (10%): the creativity and use of accessories in accentuating and completing the outfits.
- Quantity of Duct Tape Used (10%): the use of duct tape to construct the pieces of the outfits and accessories.
How to Earn Votes if you Make it to the Top 10
This year, the voting has changed. You will need to earn top vote tallies weekly to avoid being eliminated. Two couples will be eliminated each week! Here are some tips to earn votes:
- Get the word out! Start with your family, friends, schoolmates, co-workers, etc. Anyone with a valid e-mail address can vote.
- Don't forget about your church, sports teams or any other organizations you, or your family and friends, may belong to.
- Tell people to vote for you daily – each valid e-mail address can log one vote per day!
- Talk to your local media. Your newspaper, TV stations or radio programs can help you reach a large number of potential voters – and your media can even post a link from their Web site to your voting page on the Stuck at Prom Web site.
- Duck® brand sponsors the Avon Heritage Duct Tape Festival over Father's Day weekend (June 18-20, 2010). If you are looking for a road trip, please feel free to sport your duct tape duds and come to the Festival! Check out www.avonducttapefestival.com for more details.
- Try grassroots methods…
- Ask for votes in your church bulletin.
- Post a sign (duct tape, of course!) in your front yard.
- Paint your car windows (Seniors Don't Rule…Stuck at Prom Winners Rule!).
- Post flyers on local bulletin boards (grocery store, crafting store, library).
- Make some flyers to hand out at your local stores (just get permission first!).
- Create and wear t-shirts with your picture and voting ID – these can be worn to the store, out to each, hanging out with friends, on vacation, etc.
- Send out "Vote for Me" e-mails – these can be tailored so you can send them to your friends. Your friends and parents can even help out with e-mails custom-made with "vote for my friend," "vote for my son" or "vote for my daughter." It's all about networking!
- Use your online social networks to reach out to your family and friends. Blog about your experiences at prom, making your outfits and your quest for votes. Don't forget to post some of your prom pics!