Super Best Friends Forever - Supergirl

One of the many things I've noticed about the Heroes Alliance is that the more popular the character the more apt a child is at saying hello.  I thought long and hard about Batgirl (purple and yellow) but I just didn't think I could make a cowl that I would be satisfied with, either out of fabric or sculpted.  I really didn't think I was a good candidate for Supergirl because she's got a midriff baring costume and yikes!  No one wants to see my pale tummy and cycling tan lines.  I really was in a small kerfluffle until I saw Super Best Friends Forever one Saturday morning.  Not only was this Super clothed but she had curves.  Hourglass curves.  Here was a character and a costume that I could connect with!

This costume is a for a Heroes Alliance event that takes place at Comfest at the end of June.  In the heat.  I decided to use a red UnderArmor running skirt and to purchase a UnderArmor shirt and to make the cape, boots and belt.

First I drafted the "S".  It's quite different from any other "S" out there and I wanted to make sure I could reflect the style of the cartoon in the costume.  Next I used Fuse n' Tear to stick the red to the yellow spandex.

 Make sure you flip the "S" over and get the Fuse n' Tear to stick to the bottom layer!

And place your "S" on your shirt with a new sheet of Fuse n' Tear.  From here I will follow the previous directions and using a microtex needle, will top stitch in red about 1/8th" away from the edges.

Stay tuned for the rest!

Ms Marvel

Inspired by this pin I decided to try a new way of color blocking my Ms Marvel costume.  So far I've been using Pellon's Fuse and Tear.  It was super expensive at Joanns ($16) so I'm glad I downloaded Joann's iphone app and used a 50% off coupon.  I did notice that Walmart carries Sulky's version for $11.88 if you want to use what is in the pin.  It is a pain to pick out the paper from the stitches but WOW does it look amazing.

Some tips:

• Test iron a piece first
• Use your "straight stretch stitch" instead of a zigzag!   Here is what it looks like on my $90 Walmart Singer.  It's the blue lines and it looks like three stitches next to eachother.  LIFE CHANGING discovery!  I will never use a zigzag ever again for top stitching spandex
• Use fuse and tear in strips to help put in zippers!  I ironed a strip 1.5 inches wide on the front and back side and I have never had an invisible zipper go in so smoothly on spandex before.
• Watch your seam allowance.  I got too close to the edge and when I put the suit on, the fabric pulled away from the yellow.  I had to pick out all of the stitching and re-iron and re-sew.  It was a time sink!  Make sure you draw your seam allowance onto the paper to avoid this issue.

Happy Sewing!

Thoughts from MARCON

The local convention, MARCON, was this Memorial Day weekend. I am not as impressed with the con as I have been in past years. Maybe my lack of enthusiasm is due to DragonCon being so large that my hometown con just seems...well...small.

I had a great time teaching Super Hero Costuming 101 but I think next year if the nice folks invite me back I would like to break it up in the planner- a planned hour panel on costumes and then an hour of hands on. I will need a larger supply of heat guns but I really do think that Wonderflex is a super cool substance and more people need to hear about the wonder.

Here are the links I talked about in my panel:
Helpful Links

Costuming

http://thesuperherocostumingforum.yuku.com/

http://theleagueofheroes.yuku.com

http://leagueoflanterns.yuku.com

http://cosplay.com/

Body Sculpting

http://www.c25k.com/ Learn how to go from a non-running couch potato to 5k in 9 weeks

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com Lean how to swim/bike/run

Supersuits

http://spandexworld.com Fabric supplier

http://www.spandexhouse.com Fabric supplier

http://www.stretchy.org/catsuit/ How to sew your own

http://www.spandexman.com Spandex suits

Accessories

http://www.xtremedesignfx.com/ - Masks, belt parts

http://www.cosworx.com GOOD wigs and boots for men and women

http://www.snaz75.com/ Shoes for women

http://www.atthefront.com/ WWII site, good for leather pouches, ect.

http://www.fxsupply.com/ Body paint, makeup

Supplies

http://www.theengineerguy.com Source for Wonderflex, Fossshape and other moulding supplies.

http://www.smooth-on.com/ Molding supplies

http://www.edecals.com Vinyl sheets, all colors including gold and silver mirrored.

http://proplady.livejournal.com/51225.html Wonderflex tutorial

http://wondergirl-mydivinecomedy.blogspot.com/ Kate's Costume Blog

http://www.snapdragondesign.net/ Julie's website

http://www.shoetreemarketplace.com Change your shoe color with Nu-Life

Undergarments

http://www.spanx.com

I just want to give a little shout out to the FPQ for the most fun I have ever had in recent memory at Marcon. Great conversation, great drinks and pretty nice eye candy. We closed down the Bar on 2 Sat night. Can't wait for their room party next year.