How to Make a DC: "<PERSON>" Costume
Introduction: How to Make a DC: "<PERSON>" Costume
For the 2020 C2E2, our friends wanted to go as a <PERSON> themed group. Knowing my wife's personality, I knew she would want to dress up as someone who could hold her own and has a lot of strength to her character. I thought <PERSON> would be a good match for my <PERSON> costume, while still fitting in the theme of being in a <PERSON> group.
For those who don't know <PERSON> as a character, she is <PERSON> one of the socialites of Gotham. In the New 52 series, it's established that <PERSON> is a cousin of <PERSON>'s alter-ego <PERSON>. She is trained in the United States Military Academy and after a brief encounter with <PERSON>, she becomes inspired and begins fighting crime using military body armor and weaponry stolen from her father's military base and purchased off the black market. Her military father eventually makes her an upgraded batsuit.
Well, my wife may not have all the tech of the military, but she does have a super creative hubby! Ready to read how I made this costume? Let's get started!
Supplies
- stretch black lycra fabric
- Stretch grey lycra fabric
- Stretch red lycra fabric
- Black Pleather fabric for the Cape
-Non stretch red fabric for inner layer of cape
-EVA foam
-black ankle high shoes wit
-exacto knife
-Wood glue
-worbla
-scrap long sleeve shirt and pants. These will be destroyed
-contact cement
-Paper
-chalk
-craft foam
-duct tape
-masking tape
-saran wrap
- eye glass lenses
-black plastic clips
-acrylic paint
-clear sealer
-sander/ dremel
-heat gun
-sewing machine
-industrial spray adhesive
-toy hand gun with screw-able silencer
-tape measure
-gun holster (purchased online)
- industrial Velcro
-caulk
-red lipstick
-Black balaclava
-plastidip
- elastic
-fabric
- black quick release clips
-mini black quick release clips
-red wig
Step 1: Reference Pictures
Before I ever start ANY costume or prop, I look up a ton of reference photos from various sources and put it in a folder. The more pictures from different angles, the better. Look up:
1. Actual photos of the character/prop from its source (movies, videos, action figure, etc)
2. Cosplay pictures. You can see what has been done, what you like, what you don't like, how to improve
3. I start looking at art work. I usually look up things via google images, deviant art, tumblr, etc.
4. Use your own imagination. Think about what you want, how to make it your own original design, what are some tricks you think you'd like to incorporate.. perhaps you want to try out a new technique with this build, etc
Optional: 5. If you can draw, I sometimes will take all my reference sources and start drawing out my own design.
Step 2: Boots
1. 348
Take one of your boots and cover in masking tape. Make sure to not tape over the zipper.
2. Now look at your reference pictures and draw the design on your masking taped boot. Number the pieces on your boots so you know how to attach them onto the boot (pic 1+2)
3. Take your exacto knife and carefully cut out your shapes while they are still on the boots. (pic 3)
4. Transfer your shapes onto your EVA foam and cut out. If your foam has the diamond tread on the bottom, use your sander to sand smooth.
5. I use my dremel and shape them a bit to remove the hard edge.
6. Take your head gun and stretch the pieces so that they mold well to the boot.
7. Use contact cement and glue on.(pic 4)
8. Use your masking tape templates to create foam pieces for the other shoe. However, remember that you have to flip the paper pieces over before you draw them because your shoes are flipped..
Step 3: Shin Armor
1. While wearing the boots, measure the width of the calf and the height from the bottom of the knee to the ankle. Transfer that dimension to paper and fold that rectangle in half vertically.
2. Now draw in your design and cut out (pic 1)
3. unfold the paper and you should have a symmetrical template to transfer over to EVA foam. (pic 2)
4. 316