DIY Protective Face Mask

As there is now a recommendation for people to wear non-medical grade face #masks when outdoors or around others, we wanted to share several different ways to make your own face mask.

To maximize protection, use a tightly woven fabric; knit fabrics will not offer as much protection.  It’s very important to remember that a face mask alone won’t necessarily prevent you from being infected with #COVID19. You will still need to practice other precautions, including social distancing, hand-washing and not putting your hands to your face.

The COVID-19 virus is roughly 70-90 nanometers in diameter. A nanometer is a billionth of a meter. (In terms of inches, the virus’ diameter is roughly 2.76 millionths of an inch to 3.54 millionths of an inch.) Bacteria typically range from 0.2 to 2 micrometers (millionths of a meter.

From NBC News:

“The best masks were constructed of two layers of heavyweight “quilters cotton” with a thread count of at least 180, and had thicker and tighter weave.

Lesser quality fabrics also worked well, as long as they had an internal layer of flannel.”

Here are two sources for instructions on constructing a protective cloth mask:

• Vanderbilt University Medical Center
• Kaiser Permanente (PDF File)

If you don’t have a sewing machine or you don’t know how to sew, there’s actually a technique of using a bandana and 2 rubber bands to construct a mask, as posted by Kristin Omdahl on #YouTube:

The following YouTube video from Sewing Seeds Of Love shows how to sew a pleated face mask:

Here’s a video from Leah Day for sewing your own face mask that includes a filter pocket:

References

• Making your own face mask? Some fabrics work better than others, study finds
• Mask Making Instructions from Vanderbilt University Medical Center
• Mask Making Instructions from Kaiser Permanente
• Kristin Omdahl’s YouTube Channel
• Sewing Seeds of Love YouTube Channel
• Leah Day’s YouTube Channel

 

DIY: Working with Cardboard in Cosplays, Costumes & Props

One material that we haven’t talked about much that is not uncommon for #cosplaying & #costuming is #cardboard. Cardboard is a generic term that refers to multiple types of cellulose-based products that are much thicker and stronger than ordinary paper. Despite how common the term “cardboard” is, the term has actually been deprecated in commerce and industry because it does not adequately define a specific product.

Cardboard Types

There are three overall types.

1. Card stock, also called cover stock or pasteboard, is a paper stock that is thicker and more durable than normal writing or printing paper, but thinner and more flexible than other forms of paperboard. Card stock is often used for business cards, postcards, playing cards, catalogue covers, scrapbooking, and other uses which require higher durability than regular paper. The texture is usually smooth, but can be textured, metallic, or glossy. When card stock is labeled as cover stock it often has a coated finish on one side or both sides (C1S or C2S, for “coated: one side” or “coated: two sides”) to produce a glossy look and smooth texture, especially in use for the printing of business cards and book covers.
2. Paperboard is a paper-based material, usually more than about ten mils (0.010 inches or 0.25 mm) thick. It is often used for folding cartons, set-up boxes, carded packaging, etc. Paperboard can be easily cut and formed, is lightweight, and because it is strong, is used in packaging. Another end-use is high quality graphic printing, such as book and magazine covers or postcards. Paperboard is also used in fine arts for creating sculptures. Different types are listed below.
   • Containerboard, used in the production of corrugated fiberboard.
   • Folding boxboard, comprising multiple layers of chemical and mechanical pulp.
   • Solid bleached board, made purely from bleached chemical pulp and usually has a mineral or synthetic pigment.
   • Solid unbleached board, typically made of unbleached chemical pulp.
   • White lined chipboard, typically made from layers of waste paper or recycled fibers, most often with two to three layers of coating on the top and one layer on the reverse side. Because of its recycled content it will be grey from the inside.
   • Binder’s board, a paperboard used in bookbinding for making hardcovers.
3. Corrugated fiberboard is a combination of paperboards, usually two flat liners and one inner fluted corrugated medium. It is often used for making corrugated boxes for shipping or storing products. This type of cardboard is also used by artists as original material for sculpting.

If you intend to use cardboard for a #cosplay or #costume project, the most likely material that you’d want to use is corrugated fiberboard for its durability or a type of pasteboard for thinner use.

Below are several examples by individuals who have used cardboard for different projects.

Waterproof Your Cardboard

Make sure that you waterproof your cardboard costume, cosplay or props to avoid water & humidity damage.

Examples

Cardboard Robotic Hand

Iron-Man Helmet

Iron-Man’s Hulk-Buster Hand from Cardboard

Giant Lego-Man from Cardboard

Bakugo’s Grenadier Bracers

Xenomorph Cardboard Head

References

• Cardboard Wikipedia Page
• Card Stock Wikipedia Page
• Pasteboard Wikipedia Page
• Corrugated Fiberboard Wikipedia Page
• Amr MCI’s YouTube Channel
• Blackfish’s YouTube Channel
• D.I.Y. Planet Earth’s YouTube Channel
• The Q’s YouTubeChannel
• Crafty Transformer – Cardboard DIY’s YouTube Channel
• Epic Cardboard Props’s YouTube Channel

 

Some of the Most Expensive Fursuits

We’ve blogged in the past about how expensive #fursuits can cost, but Odin Wolf put out a new #YouTube video a few days ago in which he lists some very expensive fursuits.

The least expensive full suit that he shows in the video cost $7000. The three most expensive fursuits that he shows in the video are owned by the same person, with the most expensive of the three costing $23,000, and the other two costing $17,000 and $18,250. (BTW, these aren’t his only suits.) No, we’re not kidding.

#Fursuiting, as a hobby, can cost more than #cosplaying & #costuming.

References

• Realistic Fursuits Versus Toony Fursuits
• Odin Wolf’s YouTube Page

From 3D Printed Parts to Molded Halo Helmet

“Xtremenoobs Workshop” shared a video showing the overall process of printing out components using a 3D for constructing a #Halo Infinite helmet by creating a mold of the fully printed helmet, then pouring a slush cast from the molded rubber.

The result is amazing!

References

• “Xtremenoobs Workshop “ YouTube Channel
• “Xtremenoobs Workshop” Facebook Page

DIY Wizard’s Hat

A wizard’s hat can be very similar to a witch’s hat, but there are some differences in the brim and overall construction techniques. Unlike a witch’s hat which is often thin, has a flat brim, and typically uses either EVA foam or a wire inside of the fabric to maintain the shape, a wizard’s hat has a thicker, stuffed brim that bends downwards as it moves further away from the center. Thus, a combination of fabric shaping and batting provides the overall shape making it a slightly more complicated process.

YouTuber CWLbuilds shows how to construct a wizard’s hat composed solely of felt and batting:

YouTuber Zab shows shows how to construct a wizard’s hat (specifically, a Gandalf hat from the “Lord of the Rings” / “The Hobbit” movie franchise) using a similar process, but with greater attention to proper sizing for your head:

References

• DIY Witch’s Hat
• CWLbuilds’ YouTube Channel
• Zab’s YouTube Channel

DIY Witch’s Hat

There are several ways to construct a witch’s hat for #Halloween. Here are several DIY videos showing how to construct one. And, they’re all inexpensive to make!

From KraftKlatch:

From AY TV:

From Becca Beach:

References

• KraftKlatch’s YouTube Channel 
• AY TV’s YouTube Channel
• Becca Beach’s YouTube Channel

A Very Electronic Fursuit

For anyone who thinks #fursuiters don’t incorporate electronics into their #fursuit designs, think again: check out this amazing fursuit with an LED-based snout, tail and shield by YouTuber Jting-F!

References

• YouTube channel for Jting-F

DIY Deadpool Shin Guards

#Cosplayer & #YouTuber Obsessed Snake shared this video on how to make shin guards using #EVAFoam for a #Deadpool #costume:

Supplies used:

• 6mm and 2mm EVA Foam
• Barge All Purpose Cement
• Dap Kwik Seal
• Zippers
• Plasti Dip spray paint (to seal the EVA foam)
• Rustoleum spray paint
• Black acrylic paint
• Silver acrylic paint
• Rivets
• Zippers
• Velcro
• Metal buckles (8)

References

• Obsessed Snake’s YouTube Channel

Stormtrooper Led Funeral Procession for “Star Wars” fan, who Used to Cosplay as Chewbacca

#StarWars fan Alan ‘Azzer’ Mattocks was found dead in the garden of his home only weeks after stopping a woman from jumping off an A50 bridge in the U.K. At last week’s funeral, a man dressed as an Imperial Stormtrooper led the funeral party for Azzer, who spent his spare time #cosplaying as Chewbacca. A procession of motorbikes also joined the cortege as hundreds of mourners came together to celebrate Azzer’s life, who was also a biker.

Our sincerest condolences to the family & friends of Alan ‘Azzer’ Mattocks. May the Force be with him.

References:

• ‘A unique service to a unique man’ – Stormtrooper leads funeral procession for life-saving Star Wars fan ‘Azzer’ who used to dress as Chewbacca

Adam Savage Shows Off his New “Great Wall” Armor

Adam Savage obtained a set of professionally made and screen-used armor from the 2016 film #TheGreatWall that was directed by Zhang Yimou. Adam shows how incredibly detailed the costumes were made before donning it himself.

Armor identical to the set that Adam Savage wears in this video is available via an auction mentioned in the video.