Fabric Batsuit Scratch build questions

[Athanasius]

Hey everyone, so I've decided to create my own fabric batsuit from scratch!

I've got a lot of ideas that I think are great, but since I've never worked with fabric before, I figured I'd post on here and ask all of you wonderful and talented people some questions before I get started!

So firstly I'll just post the ideas I've currently got and a good idea of what I'll hopefully end up with, and then I'll ask a whole bunch of (probably stupid) questions about how I can get it done!

So, my idea is to have a flexible Batsuit with some internal pockets for foam muscles instead of an entire muscle suit, because I only want fake muscles in certain places and not the whole body. I want the suit to be as lightweight as possible and I believe I've found the perfect fabric: It's a bamboo/spandex blend. That might sound weird to anyone who's never heard of bamboo fabric, but I'm incredibly excited about it. It's lightweight, and it has natural deodorant and antibacterial properties. It also apparently takes dye well, which is good because it only comes in one neutral colour and I need it grey. The fact that there's spandex blended with it also means I'll have that stretchy, comfortable feel I'm going for. This is it:

http://www.bamboofabricstore.com.au/buy/kf221-bamboo-spandex-natural-metre/11-26

Now, I want a similar pattern to the BvS batsuit, but with a different texture. So my plan with that is to get puff paint and do the same thing that all the Spidey cosplayers do and paint the circle pattern all over the suit so that it has a nice but still fairly simple texture. I think I'm gonna use black puff paint over grey fabric.

I also want to have the shirt and pants separate but attachable through a hidden zipper at the waist. This'll give the suit a uniform, one-piece look but will make it easy to put on and take off for things like going to the bathroom.

For the rest of the suit I basically already have what I need, so I won't be going into too much detail there, but I'll list the other components just for the sake of clarity:

Cowl: Arkham Origins Cowl by Coofunkcurly (with the Noel neck piece by Ares Armoury)
Cape: TDK hero cape by Coofunkcurly
Gauntlets: BvS Gauntlets by UD Replicas (currently ordered and waiting for delivery later in the year)
Belt: Custom belt by Valor
Boots: Generic "Gotham 100" boots

Now, to the questions!

1: Should I dye the fabric before I do anything else, or can I make the whole suit to fit and then dye it?

2: Is there any particular brand of fabric dye that this community recommends?

3: What is the easiest/most effective way of creating a pattern? Should I make a duct tape dummy, or can I draw on a shirt and pants that fit me well and cut that up? Any other suggestions?

4: Can puff paint be machine washed after it's completely dried?

5: I'm thinking about making the bat symbol on the chest and the briefs out of faux leather, would it be better to use real leather instead, or would it just be more difficult, or does that not matter?

6: how many yards/metres of fabric would I need for a whole suit? This would include pockets and things sewn into the insides for the muscles and such.

7: Does anyone have any tips or advice for puff paint and how to use it? I've never used it or even seen it in person before :\

So essentially what I'm doing is hand sewing a Batsuit but pretty much using the methods and materials normally used for doing a Spider-Man suit instead...

Let me know what you think, and if anyone has any answers to these questions and/or any advice at all, I'd really appreciate it!

Thanks everyone!

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[GasmanR]

Hi

I can't help you with answers to most of your questions - but from my experience of fabricating 2 undersuits for my Batman Begins suit, I would suggest that you would need at least 5 metres of fabric.

on another tack - how do you get on with the cosplay comp at Supanova ?



Chris

PS That's me on the right in my interpretation of Denis Medri's Greaser Batman

 

[montysaurus]

Dye Fabric before cutting and sewing. 2 reasons, 1 if there is a problem with the Dye, you haven't wasted both time and money. Secondly, thread wont take the dye the same way the fabric will, so it will be better to match the Thread to the dyed fabric. Also recomend Stretch pleather, over real leather for the breifs. Easier to work with and will fit and move better.
Just suggestions.

 

[Athanasius]

Hi

I can't help you with answers to most of your questions - but from my experience of fabricating 2 undersuits for my Batman Begins suit, I would suggest that you would need at least 5 metres of fabric.

on another tack - how do you get on with the cosplay comp at Supanova ?

View attachment 637738

Chris

PS That's me on the right in my interpretation of Denis Medri's Greaser Batman

Thanks for that, every little bit helps since I'm starting with literally no knowledge or experience [emoji14]

The competition was really fun but we weren't even close to winning haha :/ I loved your costume!

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[Athanasius]

Dye Fabric before cutting and sewing. 2 reasons, 1 if there is a problem with the Dye, you haven't wasted both time and money. Secondly, thread wont take the dye the same way the fabric will, so it will be better to match the Thread to the dyed fabric. Also recomend Stretch pleather, over real leather for the breifs. Easier to work with and will fit and move better.
Just suggestions.

Thanks heaps for that, it really helps! I've got some faux leather now that I think will work, it's not super stretchy but it does have a normal stretch to it, like a normal lightweight fabric

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[Bogleo]

I bet SMP Designs could answer some of these...

 

[Athanasius]

I bet SMP Designs could answer some of these...

It's funny you should mention that, I'm gonna be using his wip threads on his website for info coz he posts insanely detailed step-by-step instructions which are easy to follow I might contact him directly too, he's an awesome guy

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[SMP Designs]

1: Should I dye the fabric before I do anything else, or can I make the whole suit to fit and then dye it?

2: Is there any particular brand of fabric dye that this community recommends?

3: What is the easiest/most effective way of creating a pattern? Should I make a duct tape dummy, or can I draw on a shirt and pants that fit me well and cut that up? Any other suggestions?

4: Can puff paint be machine washed after it's completely dried?

5: I'm thinking about making the bat symbol on the chest and the briefs out of faux leather, would it be better to use real leather instead, or would it just be more difficult, or does that not matter?

6: how many yards/metres of fabric would I need for a whole suit? This would include pockets and things sewn into the insides for the muscles and such.

7: Does anyone have any tips or advice for puff paint and how to use it? I've never used it or even seen it in person before

Hi guys -

My ears were burning. Haha

Here's my input:

1. For general color and mottle, dye first. You can then do more effects with ombré and distress once the suit is done.

2. Depends on the fabric. High nylon and spandex fabrics may need acid dyes rather than standard RIT dyes

3. A dummy and mock up is the best, but if you can find clothing that has the right fit and weight, use that. Have a friend draw the lines on while you're wearing the clothes. You want help here because the lines will be off if you're moving and stretching to draw them on.

4. They say it can.

5. I would say neither. Go with something that will stretch and form consistently with the rest of the suit. There are some stretch fabrics that have 'leather' finishes. Maybe check that out.

6. 4-5 yds should be good

7. Get a stencil and sponge it on? BvS is a broken and irregular pattern. It doesn't need to be think and measured like Spidey. Test some methods on scraps of fabric and see what you like best.

hope that helps, cheers!

 

[jaxon0315]

excuse me,what is "scratch"?


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[Athanasius]

"From scratch" or "scratch build" refers to building something completely yourself, with no pre-built components. So in this case, when I scratch build my Batsuit, I'll be buying raw fabric, dying it, cutting it and sewing it myself with templates I draw myself.

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[Athanasius]

Hi guys -

My ears were burning. Haha

Here's my input:

1. For general color and mottle, dye first. You can then do more effects with ombré and distress once the suit is done.

2. Depends on the fabric. High nylon and spandex fabrics may need acid dyes rather than standard RIT dyes

3. A dummy and mock up is the best, but if you can find clothing that has the right fit and weight, use that. Have a friend draw the lines on while you're wearing the clothes. You want help here because the lines will be off if you're moving and stretching to draw them on.

4. They say it can.

5. I would say neither. Go with something that will stretch and form consistently with the rest of the suit. There are some stretch fabrics that have 'leather' finishes. Maybe check that out.

6. 4-5 yds should be good

7. Get a stencil and sponge it on? BvS is a broken and irregular pattern. It doesn't need to be think and measured like Spidey. Test some methods on scraps of fabric and see what you like best.

hope that helps, cheers!

Hey Sean!

As usual, you've been incredibly helpful and super awesome, thanks heaps for your help and advice! I'm currently in the middle of moving house so I'm pausing temporarily but I've figured out most of the "theory" and planning of the suit, and as soon as I'm set up in the new place I'll begin work on my new suit!

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