Lady Arwynn
New Member
Space Cases was my first must-watch sci-fi TV show. Catalina was my favorite, of course, because of her rainbow hair. I almost forgot about the show and it took me while why I recognized Kaylee from Firefly series... then it hit me. Jewel Stait played both characters. :eek
I've always wanted to do a Catalina cosplay... someday, someday... and even better would be to do and go meet Jewel Stait in that costume LOLz. If you are feeling nostalgic (it is also where I'm getting the screenshots shown below): Space Cases - YouTube
So, in the beginning sequences of the show the group of rag tag Space cadets meander onto the Christa that mysteriously appears outside the school. They are all wearing bright orange backpacks.
I figure the outer edges or the sides of the backpack could be made of rigid plastic or wood to build the base of the backpack frame. Then three dowel rods would be inserted into the center part of the circular areas for support to keep the shape of the backpack without the orange fabric wanting to cave in. Then there would probably need to be a back support panel attached to the bottom of the side panels. OR you could do a soft/flexible but still somewhat rigid insert by creating a pocket on the back side of the orange fabric if comfort while wearing it was a concern. Note: You would need to be able to assemble these pieces and then tear down until the fabric portion is sewn otherwise it will not slide into the fabric. Maybe hinges on the side and back panel so they can fall into the backpack cover and then bolt in the dowel rod pieces.
The dowel rod assembly can either be as simple as a screw that will connect through the fabric (later to be covered by a black cap) or you could use a bore to create a channel the diameter of the dowel halfway into the side panels. Then a smaller hole so that a screw or bolt assembly can be attached after the fabric with a cap overtop for the finish.
Next would be to assemble the waist and shoulder straps, which are not like a typical/modern backpack... they are stiff and rigid and not flexible because you can see where it digs into the shoulders of the uniform
and when Harlan takes off the backpack by holding the shoulder strap you can see for a second that they do not bend.
Then there is the waist straps
The shoulder and waist could be made from the same material, assuming probably metal. The shoulder straps would then be covered with plastic tubing and an end cap placed where it comes to the front/chest area. the waist area can be covered in smooth tape (not duct tape because of the stringy texture) or spray painted. Note: Again, like the frame, you would not be able to completely assemble these until after the fabric is attached.
The next step would be to assemble the orange fabric that makes up the rest of the backpack. There is a flap on the top part that almost seamlessly blends into the overall piece.
You would need to pattern out 3 soft panels of orange fabric. I think orange vinyl would work great but it is too hard to tell in the youtube link what material it is made out of. The top opening could be velcro, attached to the top of the support piece and one for the flap closure, represented as blue in the pic. The seam of the fabric stops and ends at the black tick marks. You can add piping along the edging when you do the seams or whip stitch cording along the edges.
Not having the frame completely assembled at this part allows for you to slide the pieces into the backpack and then fenaggle the pieces into place giving the backpack shape as well as functionality. Then attach the shoulder and waist straps. Add the 6 black caps over the dowel rods ends. Voila! :thumbsup
Last but not least some of the backpacks have flashlights so you can either skip that step or add it.
I will update this post once I get around to making the backpack... which I may do without the rest of the cosplay just to have something to carry things at a Con... would be cool for people to scratch heads and wonder where they recognize the backpack from.
I've always wanted to do a Catalina cosplay... someday, someday... and even better would be to do and go meet Jewel Stait in that costume LOLz. If you are feeling nostalgic (it is also where I'm getting the screenshots shown below): Space Cases - YouTube
So, in the beginning sequences of the show the group of rag tag Space cadets meander onto the Christa that mysteriously appears outside the school. They are all wearing bright orange backpacks.
I figure the outer edges or the sides of the backpack could be made of rigid plastic or wood to build the base of the backpack frame. Then three dowel rods would be inserted into the center part of the circular areas for support to keep the shape of the backpack without the orange fabric wanting to cave in. Then there would probably need to be a back support panel attached to the bottom of the side panels. OR you could do a soft/flexible but still somewhat rigid insert by creating a pocket on the back side of the orange fabric if comfort while wearing it was a concern. Note: You would need to be able to assemble these pieces and then tear down until the fabric portion is sewn otherwise it will not slide into the fabric. Maybe hinges on the side and back panel so they can fall into the backpack cover and then bolt in the dowel rod pieces.
The dowel rod assembly can either be as simple as a screw that will connect through the fabric (later to be covered by a black cap) or you could use a bore to create a channel the diameter of the dowel halfway into the side panels. Then a smaller hole so that a screw or bolt assembly can be attached after the fabric with a cap overtop for the finish.
Next would be to assemble the waist and shoulder straps, which are not like a typical/modern backpack... they are stiff and rigid and not flexible because you can see where it digs into the shoulders of the uniform
and when Harlan takes off the backpack by holding the shoulder strap you can see for a second that they do not bend.
Then there is the waist straps
The shoulder and waist could be made from the same material, assuming probably metal. The shoulder straps would then be covered with plastic tubing and an end cap placed where it comes to the front/chest area. the waist area can be covered in smooth tape (not duct tape because of the stringy texture) or spray painted. Note: Again, like the frame, you would not be able to completely assemble these until after the fabric is attached.
The next step would be to assemble the orange fabric that makes up the rest of the backpack. There is a flap on the top part that almost seamlessly blends into the overall piece.
You would need to pattern out 3 soft panels of orange fabric. I think orange vinyl would work great but it is too hard to tell in the youtube link what material it is made out of. The top opening could be velcro, attached to the top of the support piece and one for the flap closure, represented as blue in the pic. The seam of the fabric stops and ends at the black tick marks. You can add piping along the edging when you do the seams or whip stitch cording along the edges.
Not having the frame completely assembled at this part allows for you to slide the pieces into the backpack and then fenaggle the pieces into place giving the backpack shape as well as functionality. Then attach the shoulder and waist straps. Add the 6 black caps over the dowel rods ends. Voila! :thumbsup
Last but not least some of the backpacks have flashlights so you can either skip that step or add it.
I will update this post once I get around to making the backpack... which I may do without the rest of the cosplay just to have something to carry things at a Con... would be cool for people to scratch heads and wonder where they recognize the backpack from.
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