Costume help

Kuramori_Kiyoshi · Post by **Kuramori_Kiyoshi** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 2:31 pm

got the coolest plan for a costume but no idea how to pull it off. or just need to find that one bit that's missing...

Kuramori_Kiyoshi · Post by **Kuramori_Kiyoshi** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 2:36 pm

i've seen three people with masks made of fabric with no holes, what is the patern for some thing like that?

geekster · Post by **geekster** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 2:49 pm

find a pattern for a balaclava and just don't cut the holes in it. You should be able to see through many different fabrics. Might try something like 90% cotton, 10% spandex or something like that.

BigCock · Post by **BigCock** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 3:10 pm

I can tell you how I make masks, but I've never made one from fabric so it may not apply. Anyway, the best thing you can do for yourself is start by making a casting of your head. Unless you're bald, you'll want to start by putting on a shower cap, then apply plaster gauze all over. In about 10 minutes, it will be hard enough to hold its shape but still soft enough to slide off. Let it harden all the way. You may want to add another layer of plaster gauze to make it really stiff. Grease the inside with vaseline, then fill with plaster. Stick in a stand of some sort while it's wet. A couple days later when it's dry, peel off the plaster gauze and waa-laa! There's a perfect model of your head. You can build a mask right onto it.

I use paper mache with holes cut in it for the base, then stick a bunch of other materials to it.

pinemom · Post by **pinemom** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 5:45 pm

why BC your so handsome!

Post by **Eric** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 5:58 pm

Kuramori_Kiyoshi wrote:i've seen three people with masks made of fabric with no holes, what is the patern for some thing like that?

You might scout around on fetish sites- I've seen those masks in fabric, leather, rubber........

With a thinner fabric you should be able to see "okay". You won't see well.

diane o'thirst · Post by **diane o'thirst** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 10:33 pm

Remember those guys with the spring-loaded digitigrade robot leg stilts a few years ago? I'd like to find them again. Their leader walked with a stick and they were at the SF Decompression.

I'm also looking for info on how to articulate a mask's jaw. I'm thinking of a thin wood palate under the chin (hidden by the teeth and tongue) and tensioned by strips of elastic.

Post by **Eric** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 6:55 pm

diane o'thirst wrote:I'm also looking for info on how to articulate a mask's jaw.

Diane- have you tried here:http://www.maskmakersweb.org/?

They have a forum that might be a good start.
(I haven't used it so I can't vouch for them. I had them in my bookmarks from a project idea a while back)

Kuramori_Kiyoshi · Post by **Kuramori_Kiyoshi** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 10:13 am

the balaclava pattern saved my costume. thnx

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 12:48 pm

BigCock wrote:I can tell you how I make masks, but I've never made one from fabric so it may not apply. Anyway, the best thing you can do for yourself is start by making a casting of your head. Unless you're bald, you'll want to start by putting on a shower cap, then apply plaster gauze all over. In about 10 minutes, it will be hard enough to hold its shape but still soft enough to slide off. Let it harden all the way. You may want to add another layer of plaster gauze to make it really stiff. Grease the inside with vaseline, then fill with plaster. Stick in a stand of some sort while it's wet. A couple days later when it's dry, peel off the plaster gauze and waa-laa! There's a perfect model of your head. You can build a mask right onto it.

I use paper mache with holes cut in it for the base, then stick a bunch of other materials to it.

You mean IT'S A COSTUME???!!!???

...Another technique for making a tight-fitting full head mask is to slide a nylon stocking over your head, cover with several layers of duct tape, and then CAREFULLY remove with bandage scissors. This'll give you a pretty close pattern. (Variation of the homemade dress dummy, wherein this same technique is applied to the body.) Careful with those scissors, and DON'T forget the airholes.

I discovered some fantastic thermoplastics while working in the cancer treatment field- Often a patient's head has to be restrained with great accuracy, so a custom plastic mask is fitted to a backplate. The plastic comes in sheets and is either solid or perforated, and softens in warm water at around 100-120 degrees. It starts out opaque white and when it becomes clear (!) you remove it from the water, allow it to cool a bit and then stre-e-etch it down over the head of the patient. After the course of treatment is complete these masks are usually thrown away, although the material can be COMPLETELY reconstituted by reimmersion in warm water. I saved a small stack of it, and it's just the thing sometimes for odd projects. Available through medical supply houses, or possibly by making friends (volunteering!) at a nearby cancer center.

METAL masks can be made from roll aluminum by first making paper or cardboard templates. Then cut out the metal bits with good scissors (careful! sharp!) and assemble with pop rivets. Rivet from the INSIDE, if you're using "blind" rivets...Otherwise, it doesn't matter.

Single best thing in the maskmaking toolbox? GOOP adhesive.*

*robotland stubbonly maintains that he is NOT affiliated in any way with GOOP Products Incorporated, and receives no compensation for his enthusiastic endorsement of their fine products.

diane o'thirst · Post by **diane o'thirst** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 2:22 pm

Hooommmm...Thermoplastics...I GO to a cancer centre...I'm thinking "underskeleton for my headmask"...

Thanks again, Robotland!

Kuramori_Kiyoshi · Post by **Kuramori_Kiyoshi** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 12:49 pm

does anyone remember the 3,000 person lightsaber battle last year. if so This is Kiyoshi leader of the 1,000 jedi. just wanted to tell EVERYONE that we are doing it again this year. only some minor changes. this year we will be handing out 10,000 light [u]savers[/u] (no it's not a typo were changing the name for obvious purposes) we're trying to stay away from the whole "Star Wars" theme because it's too commercial. this year we are trying our best to eliminate the dark walker/rider problem. i've seen a group of people take up the ENTIRE width of the street all sharing ONE glowstick... so with our light savers we intend to change that. so now NO ONE HAS AN EXCUSE FOR BEING A DARK WALKER!

BigCock · Post by **BigCock** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 12:46 pm

Eric wrote:http://www.maskmakersweb.org/?

Cool site Eric. Thanks!

diane o'thirst wrote:I'm also looking for info on how to articulate a mask's jaw.

I am on the same quest, do't. I saw an eskimo mask in a museum once that is worth considering. The jaw hung from one point on each side, balanced to hang half-way open. A tab protruded from inside in the front of the jaw, extending to touch your chin or lower lip.

Let me know if you find something better.

BigCock · Post by **BigCock** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 12:50 pm

robotland wrote:You mean IT'S A COSTUME???!!!???

I was describing my wolf mask. It's a bitch fitting it over my comb, but a small price to pay to entertain my loving friends. mwah!