TF:A Drag Strip

[Velocity]

TF:A Drag Strip



Progress: 100%
Start Date: 15 March 2011
Construction Start: 23 May 2011
Finish Date: 3 June 2011 (yes, the wee hours in the morning at Botcon).

I saw the picture of Drag Strip, and since I need to completely (as in from scratch) redo most of Arcee I figured why not try all my fixes for her on Drag Strip. Since I’m going to be cutting apart Arcee I don’t have to worry about patterning since that was all is pretty solid with Arcee. I’m thinking of changing up the calves/boots to be a bit more feminine though, that all depends on time.

(As of 11 August, I have not cut apart Arcee, I made a pattern with tissue paper pinned to Arcee. It worked well and I look forward to busting out Arcee 2.0 from the pattern much like I did for Drag Strip.)

I’m going to try using different fabrics for Drag Strip though, hopefully jersey will look better than cotton. I’ll also be playing with the mask portion so hopefully my mouth will be able to move and I can eat and drink without removing all or most of my mask.

(As of 11 August, the jersey was amazing and perfect. The mask failed at con because I forgot spirit gum and hotglue doesn't work on the face no matter how hard you try and make it.)

Also, learn from me kids. When you first make a costume, make a pattern and keep it. I would have loved to have had a pattern of Arcee’s helm for two other costumes.

Budget: $100
What's left: Wings for the back kibble, butt pad and fixing the face.
Debut: Botcon 2011

Finally~

[Velocity]

Helmet



Arcee’s helmet melted/fell apart during my last move. So yeah. Luckily I can flatten out the pieces the make a pattern.

11 Aug

I didn't flatten the pieces out, I pinned tissue to the inside of Arcee's helm and cut out the pieces from there. It worked really well, it all glued together nicely and the jersey did well with all the crazy angles and curves.

I also attached the eyes to the helm this time since I got tired of them rarely looking nice with Arcee since the helm slid down a lot with her. That problem persisted, but it just made my face shorter instead of effecting the eyes. I've got to figure out a way to have the helm and face... snap together. So they go to the proper very pretty position without me needing a mirror.

But to attach the eyes I simply took the Arcee face pattern, cut it out of black foam, cut the lower part of the face off and glued that set up on the inside of the helm. It worked alright but I'm going to try and figure something else out.

4 Dec

Was hoping maybe I could wear my glasses under the helm with the eyes attached to the helm in place of the face but it didn't work. Sad. Might glue some old lenses to the eyes once I get new ones. Not sure.

Okay here are final images:


You can kind o see the foam through the fabric of the corners of her... mohawk thing. That's why you use a complimentary color and all the same color behind each color of fabric.


The insides of the helmet. That's just a bit of black jersey which velcros on one side to help keep the helmet in place.

[Velocity]

Mask

I hate to keep things a secret but unless I have problems I need some help working out I want this to be a surprise.

The mask did and didn't work. It didn't work because I forgot the spirit gum. So it didn't get a real test run. I'll be doing that on my days off this week probably. Its also why she has the weirdest expression.




That little yellow bit (scrap from Astoria, lol) where the mouth would be on the front was a last second "fix" just to keep the mouth closed while wearing her at Botcon. Hoping it peels off nice. Hoping.

[Velocity]

Chestplate



Again, just going to cut open Arcee and use her as a base. As of right now that is like the one piece of Arcee which technically doesn’t need work but if I’m remaking the rest for Arcee 2 then I might as well remake the chest. I’m changing how the front attaches to the back though in an effort to make this costume easier to take off and hopefully able to put on completely by myself. If I like it for Drag Strip I'll use it with Arcee 2 then. :3

11 Aug

I did greatly enjoy the completely releasing system. Otherwise this is an exact replica of Arcee just hideous condiment colors.

4 Dec




Veeeeelcro. And Hot Glue. She's probably 40% less hot glue than Arcee 1.0 but she still used a lot.


It velcros at the shoulders, right under the arms and at the back of the neck bit. As you can see the chest comes completely off from the back. And no zipper. And it shrugs on like a jacket and clips closed/open in about a second.


Like so.

While it is nice to have help to put it on I don't need it. It takes maybe a minute with help and two to three without help.

Though I still love my spotters and they were awesome at Botcon! Love you Laserbot, Laserbot's husband and all the other awesome people who helped.

[Velocity]

Kibble



The only thing I hope to not scrap... They are structurally sound but luckily they don’t have complex curves so I can measure it out to pattern it. Yay. Now I just have to find two boot boxes again to make Drag Strip’s. I do plan on redoing how the kibble attaches to my back. Not sure how but it probably won’t be a removable rig like it currently is, it’ll be stuck to the back plate.

11 Aug

The strapping system worked perfectly. It has one buckle in the front and goes on like a vest so it is super easy to put on. I like that idea and ease of wear is a new, greatly liked priority.

The kibble this round is made of foamcore so a little heavy but no problems with it yet. Thank the gods.

4 Dec

Ran out of the yellow. Had to get creative, so the backs of the kibble are black. Ha. Yeah. Fully admit that was a last ditch effort just to get things finished. Used scraps to do the fin/wings which I still need to attach.

[Velocity]

Forearms, Gloves, Belt and Bodysuit



Remember to line the forearms this time, self.

And I’ll be make the gloves from scratch so they are the same fabric as everything else. Gah. I hate making gloves. And leotards for that matter!

11 Aug

By the gods I hate making gloves. And bodysuits for that matter it ended up taking a two days. I only planned for a morning. Grah. But it was worth it for the final look, it really did need to all be the same fabric. I messed up on proportion so the belt didn't want to line up right but I'm done with that bodysuit. And if I make the butt pad thing noone should be able to tell.

Speaking of the belt, again just a recreation of Arcee's from pattern. The butt pad wasn't made since I really ran out of time. But what do you expect trying to make a full costume in less than two weeks while holding down a job?

Gauntlets were great. It is amazing what one little strip of fabric can do, holding the hand cover down and keeping the whole thing in place. Yay. Two seconds of work made life waaaay easier and picture way better. Another quick pattern to project piece, the guantlet kibble being made straight from the smaller belt pockety things and glued right on top. And did I mention I loved working with that Jersey? Cause I did and it looks amazing.

4 Dec

Bodysuit

I had sooo many problems. But it came out okay.



The leotard/legging combo was a good choice after a full con run. Very happy with it. F Yeah stirrup leggings


The crotch buttoned closed. It meant I din't have to take off the whole costume to go potty. There is a certain bit of practicality that one can plan in on a second run that seems to get forgotten in a first run. Even when I had that insane deadline.



I sewed the bikini bottoms over the top of the bottom of the leotard. Cause I really felt lazy and this allows me to modify it.



I rally ran out of time. There are two seams (one under the chin and one at the back) and it is both safety pinned to the leotard and safety pins smaller so it fits. Yeah. Did I mention the deadline? This was one of the few places I could cut corners where people wouldn't really notice. Had to find time somewhere.

Gloves



Gloves. Two layers of fabric. Traced my hand with a bit of space over them. They barely stretch over my hands since I didn't give enough space. But it fits. And that's what matters.

Guantlets






Best VISUAL improvement I made took me two seconds. Them little bits of fabric that keep the top of the gauntlet down. HOMG. You'd be suprised. And since its made from scrap fabric from the gloves it makes them perfectly and it is really hard to even tell it is there. Yes. Simple construction, holding up great. Yeah.

Belt





Straight up remake of Arcee's belt. Thought maybe people would like pics. I dunno. I just took pics of everything in the box.

[Velocity]

Legs



Aside from the mask and kibble rig the only thing I want to change. I want her servos to look nice and to be able to sit without having to take them off or fall back into the chair.

4 Dec

Just a few last minute changes to the Arcee leg pattern. Simply because I really reaaaally ran out of time. Didn't even reinforce them properly so they were a pain all con. But I obviously couldn't have skipped them. Going to start Arcee 2.0 with at least a month of time so I can freaking change them!


That extra plate of deco on the front is just cut to size, wrapped on the front with cloth, a bit of hot glue to the back then stuck on. Yeah.


Same gig as with Arcee 1.0, even the same shoes. I need to do my humanformer Grimlock soon because the shoes I bought for it in summer 2008 are darn near dead. Still comphy as heck. The elastic that kind of holds it in place snapped out of the glue sometime near the end of Botcon. You can also see what looks like a wedge at the heel right near the shoe. I apparently got taller. Thank god I tried them on and checked them in the mirror so I was able to catch the fact the backs weren't on the ground.


What the connected elastic looks like. Also the insides. Going to fiberglass that sucker all up in there when I break out the resin for KO. More scraps from Astoria backing the seams. Backing the seams with a non-stretchy fabric really helps to keep them flat and keep them from tearing/seperating.


This is why you keep scraps of materials in your emergency at-con bag. And hot glue and a glue gun but def foam and scissors. I know a few people saw me glue in a piece, try on the boot then glue on another piece of foam. Quick fix, kind of visible in pics and not the best but it made it workable.

[Velocity]

Swords and other accessories

If I have the time I’ll make a set, they’ll be pretty easy my schedule is just a liiiitle tight. I’m also thinking of making the fins on the kibble but I’m not sure if that will make the rig too heavy or will increase my chance of whacking someone in the face too much.

[Battroid]

Awesome work Velocity :] I've never seen TFA is it any good? Characters all seem so different i mean like whats the purpose? As appose to Gen 1 which had a huge purpose. TFA didn't seem like it did from a trailer i saw.

Also for the kibble attatchment. To take strain off you could use strapping as well just for the weight. But to attatch. Make it like a backpack.

So you'd have the chest piece on the back drill 4 holes and hot glue a screw in place. Then attatch the kibble and Use a wing nut to secure down :] Works fine and with two screws in each piece no one will know. Just cover the ones in the chest piece with foam so it doesn't dig in.

But to allow disassembly and reassembly for ease of transportation, make a section of the kibble come off like the back plate, Velcro it down then when you wish to pack it away, open it up remove wing nuts then take it off the chest piece.

:]

Just an idea.

Regards
Battroid.

[Velocity]

Fabric samples came in, YAY!

I'm not quite happy with how thing their 95% rayon is but I'm going to throw it in the wash tomorrow and see how I feel.



I'm thinking #4 for the main yellow and #10 for the detailing. #10 is more red than accurate (#9 is almost spot on) but it looks nicer and less Lakers than #9. #6 feels perfect for the black though.

[Firebird67]

Looking at the picture and then at your fabric samples, #1 looks more accurate than either 9 or 10. But then it may just be my monitor. Anyway, is this coming to BotCon?

[Velocity]

It is but it is a different fabric which is kind of thick, very matte and not as nice to the touch. 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8 are that fabric so unless there is some magic in the wash then those are out of the running for me.

And as long as nothing bad happens then she will totally be at Botcon. :3

[Laserbot]

Coolbeans im sooo lookingforward to seeing this! XD

[Velocity]

Washed up the fabric, decided on 4 and 10 and I'll be getting the black from Joann's since none of the blacks sent were right. Have to order it before I hit the road monday but unsure of needed lengths. Going to guestimate that after a full night of sleep. Will also be getting the foam tomorrow since Michaels seems to have stopped selling 3mm foam and there are no Hobby Lobbys out in CA.

Didn't deconstruct Arcee 1 in order to make pattern, just pinned tissue paper over/inside the existing pieces to make patterns. Took some time but went well. Will be packing up Arcee for storage tonight and it makes me a little sad. I've had my big pink pile of armor for three years now so I've grown quite used to it.

Tips for pattern making though, seperate out each armor piece into seperate envelopes/baggies and number each individual pattern piece. And write/draw out instructions.

[Laserbot]

yay I'm so glad to hear that the process is comn together.


you know... just for the record V I work at a Hobby Lobby right now... if ya ever need anything i can help ya out and i can get a 15% off discount on anything in the store.

[Velocity]

It was just 16 sheets of foam so it wasn't much and I didn't want to risk getting out there and not having enough of the right color. But thank you for the offer!

Also in the world of updates, I ordered the fabric. And I realized the red was the same red I'd need for the Baroness costume I want to do eventually so now I have something to do with the scraps of that. :DDD

[Velocity]

Quick update, pictures added at a later date:

Guantlets: 95% done (Just need the finger holes)
Chest/shoulders: 90% done (just need the Stunticon symbol and to connect all the pieces with velcro and the red backing for the cutouts in the shoulders).
Helm: 30% done (foam almost all cut).

Comments: Loving the rayon/lycra and rayon/spandex, it is heavier than broadcloth but it can be worked so there are almost not folds. Also happy I decided to sew seams, it looks way better. :DDD

Probably going to be some late nights right up until Botcon but it is either that or I ratchet down my hours at work. I've set a carrot for myself, if I finish all my costumes, my art entries (just need to finish the b/w) and do my full 35 hours of work then I'll buy Masterpiece Megatron if there is one at the con. Now back to work!

[Velocity]

Updated the whole thing (minus accessories 'cause there are none) with pictures and some more detailed, after wear notes. If anyone wants specific pics of things or descriptions/advice/knowledge gleanable from my experience then just ask.

[MiraiBaby]

This ALL looks awesome, and I loved seeing it on you during BotCon. Was irritated, though, that I did not hang out with you and the others then as much as I wanted to. I really don't know why I didn't .... That nor take more pictures. :x

You = amazing.

Any tips for Miss Dummy over here and actually creating the Lockdown head so it looks smooth/correct? I've been at it for three days, but can't figure out how to make the foam curve in the manner I want it to. BAH.