How to Make a Replica Catwoman Utility Belt

[Meow1940]

Hey,
I'm trying to make a catwoman utility belt. I like the one that Anne wears in TDKR but I have no idea how to make it, where to start or how to do such detailed working on the pouches. I'm looking to make this belt fully functional...that means the pouches are usable.
Any advice, tips, detailed instructions?

 

[Meow1940]

Gosh...I hate this site! What kinda help is this? :facepalm

 

[ManitobaMando]

Seeing as it is close to New Years, perhaps lots of people have not yet:

1) seen this thread
2) are busy with family and friends?

One of the first principles of costuming is patience. You have not given even 24 hours for a reply and you hate the site and wonder what kind of help this is?

First off, what you should be doing is a comprehensive search for images and photos. Google is your best friend in this regard. From there, once you have the research and images down, you can decide how to best replicate the pouches. You mention you want them functional so that's going to either be a plus on your material decision or a really big hindrance, depending.

Doing a search here on the RPF might also yield you some results faster than waiting for a reply. Check in Replica Costumes. Maybe this?

http://www.therpf.com/f24/tdkr-catwoman-build-costume-study-pic-heavy-155364/

Seeing as how you have already posted there, perhaps you missed some of the pointers given on the belt?

...oh and yes the Belt is Functional, she used it to hold make up and ATM/I.D. I used travel containers and then added Details and Carbon Fiber to give them that extra wow.

http://hollywoodmoviecostumesandprops.blogspot.ca/2012/07/anne-hathaways-catwoman-costume-from.html

That site has some decent photos of the belt as well as the whole costume as well.

Once you do a little study work, ideas on how to re-create will come. For instance, I look at it, and break it down into components. One, starting with the belt itself, then the pouches. Because of the smooth texture and the raised details, I start to think rubber. I have used such before and it does cut clean for the raised detail on the pouches, but do I want to try to pattern all those pouches individually? Each one of us will do something different to achieve the look, no two costumers are the same.

As I mentioned, study what you see, and take it from there. Research what you can find, look at different cloth, different materials and take it from there. Bring your research photos with you rather than rely on memory. Make some mock ups with paper or cardboard before working on the real deal etc. etc.

 

[Jedifyfe]

/\ Great post ManitobaMando.

The third thing you missed was that there may be a LARGE percentage of members that just don't care about this prop/costume accessory, therefore no one posts. ;lol

Seriously though, give it some time. Do your homework and I'm sure someone will chime in.

 

[BobbyS95]

ManitobaMando, you win best first post

 

[Darth Mule]

Also note that while there are many of us here with a wide breadth of knowledge, we don't know what EVERYTHING is. Therefore pics are key when asking questions of this nature. Not many of us will exercise the effort to research your question before giving you advice. But if you post detailed images, we are usually more than willing to help out.

 

[Meow1940]

I'm just giggling at you if any of you were upset. Lol. I apologize. That was a planned tactic used simply for effect...and it worked. And I thank you for the replies...that's what I was aiming for. =D At least a "we don't know how to make that" would've been great for me. It's also funny how you say members will do all that but say something like I said and they instantly have all the care in the world to reply. Thanks! And you guys are right, I should've added pictures...I started to but I didn't.
I actually LOVE this site! Haha. :lol

...Also, wow that was a great post! But yeah, I remember Batnismo's reply and I've read it over and over again...along with seen too many pictures to count and read Aelynn's thread many times over...I actually check it everyday when I get the chance to see if there's new replies and I'm still stumped. I'm not a genius like you guys. Lol. That's why I made this thread...for help. Haha.

 

[Darth Mule]

Way to backpedal and be condescending all at once.

Not gaining any friends on that one.

 

[Crank729]

Also, your thread title is very misleading. I clicked on it expecting to see a tutorial or something.....maybe asking for help in the title next time?

 

[IndyFanChuck]

What I recommend is you use the SEARCH button. You will find at least 6 threads of other members who have made various Catwoman costumes, including belts. That way you will have some perspective.

Secondly, while we love to offer your advice, we need to know what you are wanting. If you can share photos saying "this is the belt that I like" or "This is a photo of my inspiration" or "these are the materials I would like to use" then we can offer advice.

Two things. One, what you wont find is us telling you how to do everything if you have no idea what you want. Second, the more information you can give the members here (including photos, or drawn plans and specs) the more likely you are to find help.

I wish you luck on your Catwoman belt project and hope this has helped. I'd try to find a few photos to post what you want and then maybe try to find other members who have already made something similar.

GOOD LUCK! :thumbsup

 

[IndyFanChuck]

Also, please just edit that 2nd post. It's very hateful. Just delete it so we can move on and start helping you! :lol

 

[BobbyS95]

Also, your thread title is very misleading. I clicked on it expecting to see a tutorial or something.....maybe asking for help in the title next time?

Or by adding a question mark :lol

 

[ManitobaMando]

...Also, wow that was a great post! But yeah, I remember Batnismo's reply and I've read it over and over again...along with seen too many pictures to count and read Aelynn's thread many times over...I actually check it everyday when I get the chance to see if there's new replies and I'm still stumped. I'm not a genius like you guys. Lol. That's why I made this thread...for help. Haha.

And now you have a place to start.

This has gotten me to take a look at some of the pouches, and starting with the first one (what seems to be the front "buckle") looks to me, to be some kind of iPhone case/holder, chopped up and turned on its side and built up upon in layers. You -could- get away with foam/rubber to build up the detail and give it a coat of plasti-dip for the matte black finish.

The belt itself looks like leather (duh) and if I am to go buy the assumption that the first pouch/buckle is some kind of a phone case/holder, then we can guess that the width is at least 2 to 3 inches? Though given the thickness of that leather, Id almost second guess myself and say its rubber, its sometimes touch to tell especially if the edges of the leather have been tooled.


Worst case (no pun intended ) scenario is a scratch build on all the pouches

 

[IndyFanChuck]

Also, there are a couple of pretty cool belts you could purchase and then add to and customize. Depending on which type of belt you want and the thickness you desire.

 

[ManitobaMando]

I found some more information that may help with your build.

The belt is 3 inches wide, black Italian leather-9 oz.

The pouches..still trying to find something close. I really do not think that there is anything pre-existing that can simply be painted for this, and will need to be scratch built. I did , however, take a look around the RPF and I found an image of something that might be useful to accommodate the base for the pouches.

I know I have seen these before, but I cannot for the life of me, remember what they are called. A little extra layer work for the fine detail and these would be pretty comparable to what you might be after. Carbon fibre anyone?

To hold the belt together, two black gun metal snap-together buttons on the right side.

Hope this helps

 

[PrimoOptimoso]

I have to just a tiny bit defend the OP - maybe not her tactic, but the fact that in the other catwoman thread(s) she's been very nice and, just, like a normal RPFer. I am almost 100% certain she was not aiming for 'condescending'.

 

[Meow1940]

Sorry for the late reply. Hehe. Ok, alright. I apologize again. I have nothing but love and respect for the site. And I didn't mean to be condescending. That was just my opinion. Really, if you knew me in person you'd know I joke like this alot and I'm totally honest no matter what. Hehe. I just thought it was funny that it worked so easily, and I wasn't back-pedaling. If you still think I was...whatever. But I am glad that I play too much because I'm getting some great advice and direction here from ManitobaMando. Gotta do whatcha gotta do I guess Lol....And thanks Primo! :lol
But also, I titled the thread that way because I was hoping that any advice I get and the combining of ideas, etc. would sort of make it into a sorta big collage tutorial. I did my other thread like that (Catwoman Retractable Claws) as well hoping for the same in which I actually had pictures AND a sketch in that one along with the site where I had a similar thread with lots more pics and help. I didn't get but 1 reply in that. And not to brag, but I've viewed every Catwoman thread from this site...not for the belt but just for looks and inspiration. I love Catwoman obviously lol and this site because it has so much cool stuff and creative/talented ppl.
But yeah, I should've included pictures so here they are:

The pouches don't have to be identical at all to the original ones, maybe just similar. And I think I'd rather they all be the same design as well that's why I think those containers you posted from an RPF post are great! I also would rather the belt to open from the front somehow. And instead of using a thick leather strip, I thought about using the stretchable rubber tubing that you find inside tires...maybe. Thanks again guys.

 

[ManitobaMando]

inner tire tube?

HELL OF AN IDEA!

Ive made boot covers from that before. I see no reason why it cannot be used in this as well. You could even make the pouches from that easily using a simple pattern an building up on it. Capital Idea!

 

[cborchardt82]

I found some more information that may help with your build.

The belt is 3 inches wide, black Italian leather-9 oz.

The pouches..still trying to find something close. I really do not think that there is anything pre-existing that can simply be painted for this, and will need to be scratch built. I did , however, take a look around the RPF and I found an image of something that might be useful to accommodate the base for the pouches.

I know I have seen these before, but I cannot for the life of me, remember what they are called. A little extra layer work for the fine detail and these would be pretty comparable to what you might be after. Carbon fibre anyone?

To hold the belt together, two black gun metal snap-together buttons on the right side.

Hope this helps

Hey if you happen to figure out what those are called could you let me know? Im in the middle currently of making costumes for comic con and those would definately work for the catwoman belt Thanks!