Robin gear

Just got the below stated shirt
What is there: Trunks(cut leotard bottoms off,) Shirt, Pants, Belt Pouch, Gloves+armor for underneath (shin guard)

Decided to go red.

Finally in 2009's stuff.
So, after much thought, I decided to start a Robin. I want it done BEFORE San Diego Comic Con. I now have the shirt, pants, mask, gloves, and trunks. Now all I need is Boots, cape, emblem/strips for the shirt, and that's about it.
My investment so far: 59$. Estimating total to be about 110$

Here is the mask


















I also made custom pleather pouches, using pleather, superglue, a button, swatch of velcro, and a wire coat hanger.
Pattern is two pieces.
Base:


















Second piece:


















Final product.

I decided to go another route.

So, after temporarily stopping progress on my Dead End, I begun with the 1989 Batman suit. I got the gloves(Olympia 103's), and immediately started the modifications.
Original Glove:
Top.





















Palm.















I then had my mom sew some Pleather (faux leather) together into a pattern I drew up.







































Not quite done yet though...
I then bought suede, and cut it in the shape of the palm. I also bought brads, and glued them on to the suede, and then glued to the palm. I also added velcro, so the top and bottom don't move separately.
Completed!

Upgrade!

I then had my birthday a few days after these were shot. I got my shirt screen printed with the Batman Dead End emblem, and a Reevz Dead End cowl. I cannot vouch more for the quality and looks of it.
Here's the shirt.















And now the entire thing. Ignore the belt. Also, a close-up of the cowl.

Now we get to move into 2008's "Better" Costumes

So, after watching the fan-film Batman Dead End, by Sandy Collora, I decided to go spandex. I don't think I will ever go back to foamies, but stick with Latex/urethane bodysuit and spandex.
Here is the first edition.
I got a new cowl (Batman mask) to start with. Here's a comparison shot of the old one. Now you can tell the difference between Rubies costumes, and fan made.


















Now here is the bodysuit.




























Here's another shot.

Learning to Mold/Cast

'08's summer I learned a whole new world. How to mold, and cast objects. The method I used is pretty pre-historic, compared to the complex process of other materials, such as Foam Latex.

Basically, you sculpt whatever it is. Then you get plaster of paris (the material for stepping stones, and drywalls) and mix it with water, then plunge your piece in there. I ONLY have done open back molds, meaning, you cant cast anything with a different shaped back, other then flat.
I use liquid latex, firm grade, from Monstermakers, for my casting material. I then pour it into my dryed out mold (let the mold set for 24 hours) all the way to the top. Wait a half-hour. Then dump it back in. It will leave a thick "skin" on the mold. Wait 3-4 hours an remove from the mold. You should now have your sculpt, just in latex.

I started with something simple, a half of a Batman Begins Gauntlet (Forearm guard) fin.

Here is the object I am molding. A Batman begins fin, cut out of a cereal box, and glued together.

















After molding one side.
























Never got a good latex cast out of this, so no pics.

Now, lets move on to the end of my foamies crusade, which carried into '08

Here are the few pictures I got of my last foamies Begins chest, and a new The Dark Knight chest, both horrid...
The begins: It is now unsuccesfully mounted to a Under armour shirt. I had to wrap my body in saran wrap, and glue the chest while I was wearing it. What an adventure... Left a scar from a place I must have missed with the wrap.




















And another pic.


















I actually wore this to San Diego Comic con... Regretfully!

Here is my The Dark Knight chest piece. I used a method to make the chest 3-d. The templates were a pain to get right, though. It is mounted to rubber cabinet liner, to make the illusion of the mesh bodysuit underneath.









































Finally, I have moved away from foamies. Not regretfully, that's for sure.

2007

So first, lets start with 2007 costumes.
Here is the start of everything; a Batman Begins Foamies Chest Armor. I doubt I will ever use foamies again. Foamies is a thin, flexible craft foam. Here's the disgraceful pictures.
















After the first attempt, you would think I would stop, and realize foamies isn't my best skill. But NO, I had to keep going. Here is my second lousy attempt.Apparently, I didn't know how to use a camera either...




























Finally I took a break from Batman Begins, and went back to 1992, and tried the Batman Returns suit.

































That ends 2007 costumes.