HemiCos

Video 20Notes

Evangeline DA Templar Costume Update

The shoulder cops have been cut and assembled from PVC Foam. I’m working on completing all of the armor pieces before I proceed with lining the inside seams with fiberglass and resin. After that it’s on to bondo to fill in outside seams. I have a feeling the gorget is going to give me the most trouble out of all of the armor pieces so I’m probably going to tackle that as soon as I’ve finished with the bottom half of the shoulder plates. 



Video 4Notes

FemShep ME3 N7 Costume Update

TL:DR Version: EVA Foam makes me want to pull trees out of the ground and throw them at people like the Tank from Left 4 Dead… SO~! I am casting my Pauldrons. Here are some WIP shots!

After multiple tests/versions involving various materials (mostly EVA foam) I’ve decided I just don’t like the way they are turning out so I’m trying my hand at casting.

I’ve got quite a bit of modification to do before I deem it ready for mold making but it’s a start. For the process I ended up taking the best version I had out of foam and putting wire mesh on top to get the base shape… then I added a layer of sculpey to the mesh and baked it (without the foam under it) (Photo #1) … I did a bit of rough sanding and then went back over the base layer to start making the shape more accurate… got it to the point I wasn’t able to work with it without making more dents with my fingers and then did another bake (Photo #2)… after the second bake I went over it and sanded it much more intensely and now I’m using Sculpey to even out areas that aren’t symmetrical and filling in holes. I’ve ran out of Sculpey so photo #3 is as far as I can go until I get to the store. 

Note: I tend to bake my Sculpey at a lower temperature than directed (~225 F) and then depending on thickness I’ll bake it for half an hour and then check it at 15 minute intervals until it seems done. I do this to keep from burning it from repeated bakes. 



Photo 4Notes
Cosplay work area safety tips: This is the sort of thing that doesn’t seem important until sick or injured but, in light of a friend’s dad getting an upper respiratory infection from working with EVA foam dust without a mask I feel it’s important to talk about this.  Basics: 1.) Masks and Respirators! I can not stress how incredibly important these are. A good respirator with filters will run about $25-30. If you’re planning on doing a lot of work with sanding and chemical fumes it’s a purchase you’ll never regret making. Even if you’re only planning on a little bit of this type of work at least get a pack of the disposable masks used for painting. For those of you who end up buying the proper respirator I recommend storing it in a large zip-top bag to help keep particulate matter out of the filters when not in use. Respirator Disposable Masks 2.) Safety Glasses Any time you’re working with a rotary tool or something similar it’s always a good idea to keep some eye protection handy. Having dust, bits of plastic, etc. irritating your eyes is never fun. You can pick these up very cheaply at any hardware store.  3.) Gloves Useful for keeping your hands safe and clean. I’ll be the first to admit I spend a lot of time coated in paint and superglue but when dealing with heat guns and chemicals they’re very useful. I like to use the rubber coated gloves for working with heat or sharp edges and the disposable gloves for using things like resin, epoxy, etc.  4.) Equipment upkeep Make sure your tools are in optimal working condition at all times. It’s dangerous to use dull blades, sewing needles, poorly maintained tools, etc.  5.) Optimize your work spaceI know this can be close to impossible at times because cosplay can be extremely messy but, it’s very important to try to keep your work area as organized as possible. Be mindful that all blades are safely put away. Stepping on an x-acto blade isn’t my idea of a fun time. The ‘self healing’ cutting mats are also really nice to have around. Have a flame retardent space free of clutter when working with things like hot glue guns, heat guns, soldering irons, etc. Make sure that your tools are unplugged and neatly stored away when not in use. If at all possible try to work in a well ventilated area when working with paints, glues, sealants and dust. Have plenty of lighting for your work space. Keep your work area free of food and drink. This discourages you from accidentally drinking paint thinner instead of coffee.  Keep basic first aid items handy… antiseptic spray, bandages, burn cream, etc.  I’m sure I’m probably missing some things but it’s at least a good basic start. Check out the links below for some more specific safety tips: Sewing safety Working with EL wire Zoom

Cosplay work area safety tips:

This is the sort of thing that doesn’t seem important until sick or injured but, in light of a friend’s dad getting an upper respiratory infection from working with EVA foam dust without a mask I feel it’s important to talk about this. 

Basics:

1.) Masks and Respirators!

I can not stress how incredibly important these are. A good respirator with filters will run about $25-30. If you’re planning on doing a lot of work with sanding and chemical fumes it’s a purchase you’ll never regret making. Even if you’re only planning on a little bit of this type of work at least get a pack of the disposable masks used for painting. For those of you who end up buying the proper respirator I recommend storing it in a large zip-top bag to help keep particulate matter out of the filters when not in use.

Respirator

Disposable Masks

2.) Safety Glasses

Any time you’re working with a rotary tool or something similar it’s always a good idea to keep some eye protection handy. Having dust, bits of plastic, etc. irritating your eyes is never fun. You can pick these up very cheaply at any hardware store. 

3.) Gloves

Useful for keeping your hands safe and clean. I’ll be the first to admit I spend a lot of time coated in paint and superglue but when dealing with heat guns and chemicals they’re very useful. I like to use the rubber coated gloves for working with heat or sharp edges and the disposable gloves for using things like resin, epoxy, etc. 

4.) Equipment upkeep

Make sure your tools are in optimal working condition at all times. It’s dangerous to use dull blades, sewing needles, poorly maintained tools, etc. 

5.) Optimize your work space
I know this can be close to impossible at times because cosplay can be extremely messy but, it’s very important to try to keep your work area as organized as possible.

  • Be mindful that all blades are safely put away. Stepping on an x-acto blade isn’t my idea of a fun time. The ‘self healing’ cutting mats are also really nice to have around.
  • Have a flame retardent space free of clutter when working with things like hot glue guns, heat guns, soldering irons, etc. Make sure that your tools are unplugged and neatly stored away when not in use.
  • If at all possible try to work in a well ventilated area when working with paints, glues, sealants and dust.
  • Have plenty of lighting for your work space.
  • Keep your work area free of food and drink. This discourages you from accidentally drinking paint thinner instead of coffee. 
  • Keep basic first aid items handy… antiseptic spray, bandages, burn cream, etc. 

I’m sure I’m probably missing some things but it’s at least a good basic start. Check out the links below for some more specific safety tips:

Sewing safety

Working with EL wire


Video 2Notes

FemShep ME3 N7 Costume Update

Materials Testing:

I’m experimenting with tools to see what work best on the materials that have been chosen for the costume. I’ve had absolutely no luck with my hot knife on the EVA foam so if I can’t manage to get the temperature sorted out I’m just going to use my Dremel with a saw blade and a sanding cylinder for any imperfections. … on that note, I’ve discovered that melting EVA foam smells an awful lot like burnt marshmallows. Hopefully the use of foam will be minimal if all goes according to plan. Dremel tests turned out reasonably well considering how much the foam makes the disk want to bounce.

Pattern Making:

I’m employing a few different methods for this since I’m working from the ME3 version of the armor and there are differences and additions from the previous game. I’ve included a photo of my bristol board mock up for the arm (lovingly nicknamed cat armor) and a photo of a thick craft foam mock up of the shoulder cop. I’m also working on some proper patterns but I’m going to wait to post those until I know they actually fit correctly.

Next Time…

Cuirass experiments and more pattern making.



Video 14Notes

TL:DR Version: HEMI’S COSPLAY BLOG FOLLOW IT! 

http://hemicos.tumblr.com/

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Figured it was a good idea to start a Tumblr to keep all of my WIP photos, tools/construction ramblings and miscellaneous costume stuff in one spot. 

My projects for PAX Prime 2012 are Bioware based (go figure) so I’ll be working on “Iconic” Female Shepard from Mass Effect 3 and Evangeline from Dragon Age: Asunder (read: Knight Captain Templar armor) both of these projects involve a lot of armor so I thought it would be fun to share the process (and pitfalls) so that any other ladies interested in doing similarly styled costumes could see some possible approaches. 

The ‘Ask’ box is perpetually open on this one. I’m still a costuming newbie but I’m more than happy to pass along what I’ve learned and to help brainstorm with folks.



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