See-Thru Fabric Question

[Cleverlilminx]

I am in the beginning stages of a couple of mascot style costumes and I am trying to figure out a way to make a spot on the masks see-thru for me but no one can see in. I know some fursuiters use reticulated foam but that will not work in these cases. I need something that can be painted or dyed to match the rest of the costume. I know there is a wire mesh that can be used and is used on some sport mascot costumes but I do not know what it is called or where to get it.


Well if anyone can help, I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[kimncris]

I have used window screen for that purpose

 

[rickrickrick]

This is easier than you think. Any number of sheer materials can be used, since light is coming from the outside in, but no light is coming from inside out.

I have used: plastic window screen, reticulated foam, buckram, and sheer knits. All of the materials cited above can be painted or dyed to color. If you feel the mesh is too wide, back it with black stocking material. BTW, whatever color the outside is, make sure the inside is black, to reflect as little light as possible.

Hope that is helpful.

Rick

 

[Cleverlilminx]

Well I have two black fabrics on hand that could work but my problem is that I need these areas to be bright colors, not black of course. :lol

EDIT:

I believe this is the mesh I was looking for in this tutorial:

http://www.konig.demon.co.uk/fur/fursuit/mesheyes/index.html

However I am open to other suggestions.

 

[Darth Mule]

http://ecostumes.stores.yahoo.net/ma77.html

I believe this is the substance you seek. Varaform is kind of an industry standard. Its great stuff, but a bit pricey.

 

[Cleverlilminx]

Did I read that right, $96.60 a YARD!?! That's a bit out of my price range. :lol


Thanks for the link however.

 

[rickrickrick]

Varaform has a very wide mesh. It is not in my opinion suitable for the sort of transparent see-through area you are looking to make. It's more like something you would use for forming the under-structure of a walkaround head (which is what I used it for). It's often used as the base for mascot heads.

The sort of copper mesh shown in that tutorial is very fine, much finer than the average window screen. I'm not sure where you'd source it.

Is that what you want to make see-through - the eyes? A more thorough description of your plans might prompt better-informed suggestions.

Rick

 

[darth_myeek]

Search on K&S copper mesh. K&S is carried in hobby and even Ace hardware stores.

-DM

 

[knightoftheroc]

Well I have two black fabrics on hand that could work but my problem is that I need these areas to be bright colors, not black of course. :lol

EDIT:

I believe this is the mesh I was looking for in this tutorial:

http://www.konig.demon.co.uk/fur/fursuit/mesheyes/index.html

However I am open to other suggestions.

I'm pretty sure he meant the black areas for INSIDE the head, which wouldn't interfere with the exterior color scheme at all. Just as a window at night works like a mirror from inside the room, but not outside, the black interior and nylon window screen (very affordable, easy to work with, and durable) would most likely be your best bet. Fencing masks use a mesh of about the same dimensions, and work well for looking out, but make seeing in difficult, and that's with a full face area opening. Also, a black mesh makes it easier for looking out, as it won't mess with your vision like a lighter color can- I always coat my helmet interiors in black for this reason.