Captain America (The Avengers) & The Wasp (A:EMH) - Completed

[Nynxy]

My fiancee P4r4dox86 (who will be referenced to as P in this thread) may have mentioned me in his thread Captain America (Avengers) and Mk VII for an 8yr old COMPLETED! I thought I'd post about how I made his Captain America outfit and my Wasp outfit. As these are completed this isn't a WIP but a "How I did it" thread.

I used paused shots from our Avengers DVD for a lot of my references for the costume.

The pants were very basic and made with Kwik Sew pattern 3029 using cobalt blue scuba knit. The Cap's pants have a cargo pant look to them with pockets (as he had his belt pouches for storing items on the day), instead of messing around making working pockets I sewed patches of material on as "pockets" and used a wide width and medium length zigzag stitch with a silver thread. I sewed 2 rows overlapping to give the illusion of a zip from a distance

 

[Nynxy]

The jacket was a HUGE pain and P got a lot of evil looks during the process... The base pattern I used was Kwik Sew pattern 3570. P had made the shoulder slips and star out of thin foam and I asked him to make sure they had an extended foam base to make it easier to attach onto the jacket. I made the base with a slight extension to the length (just in case) I then popped it on P and marked out, using chalk, the "patch" pieces for the top half of the jacket using screen shots from our DVD. The abs section was left until last.

Once this was done I used masking tape to mark the chalk lines more clearly in order for me to trace the patch pattern pieces (pics 1 & 2). I marked on each pattern piece the colour it was to be (blue/dark blue/silver etc) and set about cutting out the fabric.*

I cut the front of the top where the zip was going to be placed and then proceeded to pin, adjust, resize and sew on each patch.*

The sewing of the patches to the base top was a little difficult in the places where the foam pieces where placed and I sewed these on without a foot on my machine (due to the thickness of the foam and lack of any fancy machine attachments). I measured and cut out a star sized hole in one of two front patches and sewed the star into place. (This was done twice over as the first round was done crooked). I then sewed, right sides together, the two front sections leaving the left side open. Turning this the right way out I sewed the patch onto the jacket. I sewed the zip side approximately 2cm from the edge to allow for the zip to be sewn on and be hidden under the "flap". (The zip was sewn on after the ab section was attached). Hook and Eyes were used to keep the jacket front closed when worn. (pics 3 & 4)

Once all patches were on I measured an calculated the width of the 10 ab sections (includes blue strip at back) and cut off the bottom leaving only the back blue strip.

The abs section was made by placing a strip of foam around P's stomach while he wore the top as I measured and marked each piece. I then used the cut out foam as my pattern pieces. Each ab section was made as a "pocket" with the grooves in the front 4 sections sewn between two pieces of foam. These were then attached to the top and the zip sewn in place. (pics 5-7)

*I didn't get any photos of these stages

 

[Nynxy]

Captain America completed in time for Supanova Adelaide 2012!

 

[Nynxy]

As P and V (my daughter) were doing Avengers characters I decided to be an Avenger myself... As I do not have an ideal physique for a lot of female heroines I decided to do The Wasp from Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes (pic 1)

The main difficulty was getting the base pattern for the dress. I eventually found Kwik Sew 3395. I used pattern B.

I traced each individual pattern template to make one full piece extending the length by 30cms (pic 2) Then using pictures found online (google is my friend) I drew the pattern lines and cut out the pieces (pic 3).

After cutting out the fabric (black stretch vinyl and yellow stretch poly) I sewed together (pics 4-8) I attached clear straps to hold it up.

 

[Nynxy]

I didn't have time to make boots so I traced around my lower leg and foot, adjusted the top to make the required shape, cut out the "boots" and attached them to a pair of leggings I bought from Kmart for $5. I bought a pair of cheap slip on shoes and spray painted them yellow.

The gloves I made in a similar way, traced around my hand leaving a 1cm allowance and a wide opening. Used iron-on interfacing to keep the glove sleeve stiff. Sewed right sides together, trimmed the seams and turned right way out.

The black arm bands were a pair of P's socks with the foot cut out of them as I forgot all about them and did it the morning before we left for the con.

I did make wings but left them at home and I want to re-make them so will not be including these here.

 

[Nynxy]

I bought my wig from Arda Wigs Magnum in Dark Copper Red. I had a friend help me trim the fringe (pic 1)

The headset was made using a cheap set of headphones with the cord snipped off. P dremmeled holes into the top of the earphones and butchered a rabbit ear tv antenna for the antennas which were then painted yellow by hand and palced into the holes (pic 2-3).

Using Christmas balls P cut them in half and heat moulded foam to place onto the headphones to give them the required shape (pics 4-6)

A quick paint job and the headphones were ready to be placed under the wig.

 

[Nynxy]

The Wasp completed in time for Supanova Adelaide 2012!! (See also previous post with completed Captain America for more photos)

 

[The Armorer]

Do not know why there isn't any more replies to this . Great job on both!

-The Armorer

 

[Nynxy]

@The Armorer - Thanks I only just popped this up tonight which explains the lack of replies.

 

[Old Trenchy]

Hi hi! Was wondering if you were going to post this

Nice work, by the way!

 

[P4r4dox86]

They all worked out awesomely You did a lot of good work, and I do thank you for your efforts lol...

She's right, I did cop my fair share of evil glares and a few "Why did you choose this costume?!"...

 

[Fly4v]

"Why did you choose this costume?!"...

Because he knew it would be great!. :thumbsup

 

[Nynxy]

@Trenchy Thanks I've been meaning to put this up for a while now

@P4r4dox Hurry up and have lessons so you can glare at yourself lol It was a good challenge and I'm quite happy with the final result.

 

[greylocke]

Your work is fabulous. thank you for sharing it with us.

 

[Nynxy]

@greylocke Thanks It certainly was interesting putting together the jacket. There are probably a few things I would do differently and might put into practice when I do a rule 63 Captain America for myself

 

[heiro5]

I really like all of this. I dig group costume projects and have a particular soft spot for family projects.

The work is very cool and your on-the-spot improvisation is inspiring. I suffer from too much thinking and planning, and perfectionism paralysis, lol. Black socks arm sleeves... nicely done!

I think your choice of this particular Wasp design is very appropriate to the look of the Hollywood characters. I believe Janet Van Dyne is into the fashion of it all and would end up with a more showy costume. If she is ever introduced to the Marvel movie universe they will probably go their Hawkeye route, make it look like basic tactical gear in blacks and browns... Whatever. I love how you came it this. All the costumes look great.

 

[Nynxy]

She does have many different styles of costumes, from the original red outift to the bodysuit style (which I think they would most likely use for any Marvel movies just for the "hotness" factor)

Whenever I am making a costume I always play by the 3 metre rule. If it looks good from 3 metres (the average distance people take photos from) then it will be passable. Then I can take it home and fix it up if I need to after the con or party.

I'm interested to see if she will be in the Antman movie and what they are going to go with.

 

[dijon30]

Very much like both costumes and looks like blast had by all. Excellent craftsmanship.

 

[Nynxy]

@dijon30 Thanks mate It was so much fun! although by the end of it I had seams coming apart... I plan to make the boots properly and tweak my dress design over the next year or so between other new costumes.

 

[scniab]

Thank you so much for this! XD I'm about to start the Avengers Cap suit and I was panicking about doing the ab part. Your plan with foam and sewn pockets and all that is so simple and so genius! I've been toying with trying to start with a moto jacket type pattern. Would you say that'd be easier for a beginner or harder?