Costuming / Prop Building

[Koeryn]

Alright escapists, it's time for something a little more hands-on! How many of you lot are cosplayers / costume designers / prop builders? What kind of stuff do you do? Why do you do it? How do you do it?!

I've just recently been bitten by the 'costuming bug', and I'm currently working on a Cyberpunk/Shadowrun costume which I will wear at DragonCon in a few years. I'll be going as a Street Samurai (I don't wanna be a Wolverine rip trying to pull off razorboy. =p) complete with future-y ninja swords.

Right now, I'm trying to modify an airsoft SL8/9 type rifle into a horrible mutant weapon. I figured the SL8 was a real futuristic looking weapon which would make a good base. If this thread gets a good response, I'll even keep you all posted on my progress.

Anyways, let's hear it from the crafty folks! Feel free to share, and pictures are always awesome!

EDIT

Spoiler: SL8 with no barrel!

Unfortunantly, it doesn't look like the SL8 is compatible with G36 lower recievers, which means I can't put a G36 stock on it. However, with some dremelling and glue, I MIGHT still be able to put a SCAR stock on it. =D I'd have to actually have a SCAR stock on hand to know for sure though.

 

[Distorted Stu]

I once tunred my Desert Eagle Airsoft into that huge revolver Hellboy uses. Bit of chicken wire and paper can go a long way.

 

[Koeryn]

I once tunred my Desert Eagle Airsoft into that huge revolver Hellboy uses. Bit of chicken wire and paper can go a long way.

Wouldn't happen to have pictures would ya? That sounds pretty awesome

 

[Distorted Stu]

I once tunred my Desert Eagle Airsoft into that huge revolver Hellboy uses. Bit of chicken wire and paper can go a long way.

Wouldn't happen to have pictures would ya? That sounds pretty awesome

No didnt take any sorry. It wasnt great, it was the Eagle's grip that ruined it because it didnt match the revolvers old western feel. Still, i manged to make a cylinder chamber & the barrel grooves out of paper maché. So at least half the gun looked like it was supposed to lol

 

[Koeryn]

I once tunred my Desert Eagle Airsoft into that huge revolver Hellboy uses. Bit of chicken wire and paper can go a long way.

Wouldn't happen to have pictures would ya? That sounds pretty awesome

No didnt take any sorry. It wasnt great, it was the Eagle's grip that ruined it because it didnt match the revolvers old western feel. Still, i manged to make a cylinder chamber & the barrel grooves out of paper maché. So at least half the gun looked like it was supposed to lol

lol

 

[stabnex]

Cardboard tubes. Duct tape. And a hundred million dollars in government funding make some pretty shiny toys with no practical application but look good as a costume ^-^

 

[sms_117b]

My mum and nan are experts at costumes

Spoiler: Me as Darth Maul back when Episode 1 came out

I'm trying to follow in their footsteps, but I don't get to dress up much, next animé/comic convention I will be busting out Squall!

 

[Koeryn]

My mum and nan are experts at costumes

Spoiler: Me as Darth Maul back when Episode 1 came out

I'm trying to follow in their footsteps, but I don't get to dress up much, next animé/comic convention I will be busting out Squall!

Heh, that's not bad.

 

[Koeryn]

VERY early test, just to see how it looks at the most basic level.

Spoiler: Me moonlighting as a street samurai

 

[cleverlymadeup]

i've done a couple, here are two of my better ones

Spoiler: Lar and Somner approved version of my avatar

<img src=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3225/2873872590_b4fe680290_o.jpg>
boxing hand wraps for the gloves
the sewing wasn't as much as you'd expect
it's 3 pieces, there's the top, the skirt and the cowl
the skirt part actually goes over my shoulders.
and i have the Richard "For Pony" tshirt on underneath

it does look a bit better than that, i had been dancing and drinking a lot at that point

Spoiler: Zombie Alice in Wonderland

<img src=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3009/2869136810_1a2f635009_o.jpg>
the dress was easy to make
the zombie make up is even easier and not too hard to have some great effects on it.

the recipe i used was this

equal amounts of water, glycerin (found at drug stores you need the pure glycerin not mixed with something else), gelatin (plain and not jello)
some paint for colour, i chose grey

mix everything together
heat in the microwave for a minute or so
stir more until lumps are gone
put wax paper on cookie sheet
pour mixture onto cookie sheet and let it set

you can also use the left overs from the bowl, that's what's on my cheeks. it gives the illusion of dangling skin and looks really cool for what is basically left over waste

costumes really aren't that hard to make, they just take some time and planning. the sad part is most people don't take the time or the planning to do it right. always start several weeks before the thing you're dressing up for, if not months.

 

[McHanhan]

I dressed up as Snow White in a costume I designed myself. Does that count?

 

[Koeryn]

SNIP
costumes really aren't that hard to make, they just take some time and planning. the sad part is most people don't take the time or the planning to do it right. always start several weeks before the thing you're dressing up for, if not months.

Wow, those are pretty awesome. As for start time? How's ten-ish months? Assuming of course I actually go this year, (assuming I'd have the money).

 

[Koeryn]

I dressed up as Snow White in a costume I designed myself. Does that count?

Yeah, actually. How'd you make it? What'd it look like?