Hi everyone,
I wanted to share some tips with you guys, since I like the kind of research you do. Info is power.
I've been making a massive research around the net before I make any of my costumes, to find the best quality and comfortable materials out there for perfect accuracy. For massive, I mean days doing anything but research. And trying some things.
Oh, and not spending three billlion dollars.
I have some tips and thoughts I'd like to share with you if you don't mind:
For the hex pattern: If you can print fabric, you are going further than me, I will go with plain black. Or even darkest grey.
Now:
There are two fabric layers for this suit, one underneath, and the rubber look, the outer.
My tips, after trying some other things:
I would (and will) go with neoprene wetsuit underneath. Better if it is double sided nylon. But, 1.5 or 2mm max thick, and AT LEAST ONE OR TWO SIZES LARGER THAN MY REGULAR SIZE.
Neoprene stretches, but we don't want to be THAT tight. This will fit perfect if we do this way.
Rubber outside layer: Smootskin neoprene sheet paddings. Ok, why not rubber? It does not stretch. It will break. Neoprene is made to fit, gives more rubber look and stretches as many times as needed.
With several thicks, as 2mm or 5mm, there are sheets out there. Slightly expensive for non-US (like me, I'm in Spain, and this will be a pain in my ass...), but quite cheaper for US residents. ONE SIDED NYLON, since the outer MUST be smooth.
You can also try to purchase a smoothskin wetsuit on ebay. Why? It is already tailored to human shape. Remember, this MUST be at least two sizes larger.
Cut your paddings and glue them to the underneath neoprene wetsuit with AQUASEAL. If you want deeper pads, make more than one layer of neoprene.
* VERY IMPORTANT* When measuring the pads, do it with your underneath wetsuit ON!! Remember, it stretches!
For the light panels:
Sad but true, we'll have to go with EL Wire. In my opinion:
El Tape is expensive, and breaks easily. I know. And it's a pain in the ass to make those corners accurate.
EL Panels are expensive and break easily, and a madness to wire.
Elastolite is my favourite, of course, but we are a low budget people. And so far they don't answer my emails.
EL Wire, at least 2.3mm. (Oh, and yes, WHITE). Less than this is breaks with time and repeated bendings. 2.5 is by far the brightest EL Wire ever, but again is cheaper for US residents. You will be brighter than me :angry
Hehe.
Oh, try to go with 9V or even 12V instead of AAA batts. And as longer the EL Wire is, more power you need. Search for shorter with more power.
This gives more bright. And nevermind the splits, they don't reduce the brightness.
My tips with EL Wiring:
When doing the Neoprene padding with the smootskin, leave the "light panels" part hollow.
Then put reflective tape in. As I said, Solas is
fuc@~€~ng GREY when not lighted. I'm looking for WHITE one. Glue it to make the perfect "light" panels. Accuracy.
This will give you AT LEAST the perfect look without light. It IS something.
Depending of the thickness you have chosen on your neoprene paddings (I would go with 5mm on the chest, and 2 or 3 for the rest, for example), you will have different widths for the Wire to go. It's ok.
Then glue the EL Wire to the bottom of the walls of the hollow places and over the reflective tape. Doing this, EL Wire will be doubled, since there are two walls to fill, and it will draw the light panels perfectly.
For extreme accuracy, cover this panels with diffuser sheet. I don't recomend it, since it will wrinkle and may unglue. But it will work if you just...stay.
For Quorra's: Victoria's secret wedge booots look perfect, my girlfriend bought a pair. Awesome.
Remember choosing leatheresque leggings, there are plenty out there, don't go for second best with cotton!!
I'm sure there is something I miss, but we will find out all toghether, neh?
Keep it up folks!!
