Wings

[Pura]

How would you make wings that would be de-tatchable?

I'm planing on cosplaying Krad next month, but i tink it would be hard to make wings, and also, he has that thing over his shoulders so i also need to figure out how to make that work ...

[Natsuki Bunny]

I've never cosplayed before, but can't you just buy wings? Don't they have a Halloween store that you can buy those? Cut a small opening for the wings to come through and WEE.

[SakuraRay]

If you can't buy a set, could you not just use elastic on them? I did that with a set of bat wings once... Just try and make it all the same colour - failing that, I'm sure there would b a way to disguise it!

[DarkPriestess]

I have massive wings.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a392/cosplaylogbook/Reactor%202005/NINA.jpg

I said in another thread that the making was a secret... but I'll help a fellow cosplayer in need...

I used the following materials:

Feather Boas
Zip Ties
Mesh Netting
Copper( I think >_< ) Wire
Black Elastic Bands
Wood
some black Leather.

Take the wire (any will do as long as its strong enough to not bend very easily) and form it into the shape of your wings. Remeber most cons have a "no further then six inches away from your body" rule. My wings do not comply because I did not know this when making them >_< Also Each wing is SEPERATE. So once you have one in the shape you want, place the inside on the center of your back to help you out on the size rule, unless you want them massive for masquerdes only where size limits usually don't matter.

Use the Zip ties to pin the metal to the wood. The best shape for the wings is a general P with the loop being the wings, and the stick being what gets on the wood. Now this is one of the LAST steps, but remeber, the leather makes the permentant pouch for the wood so it's easier to hide, and won't scrape you.

Sew the mesh netting around the frame tightly. Now the zip ties were also used to keep the feather boas in place on the netting. Make sure to layer them close so no netting shows through, and trim all your zip ties once they are secure.

Now for the elastic bands... after you get the casing on, you'll want to sew two loops with them. These are the black straps you can see over my shoulders and hense make the wings detachable. Mine don't blend in very well, but try looking for something that will give room to move when getting in or out of, but still be tight enough to keep the wings from randomly falling backwards on you. In that sense also make sure that the loops aren't TOO lose, otherwise that's exactly what will happen... your wings will fall backwards and hit whoever is behind you.


If you have any other questions pm me.... I probably forgot something since I'm so tired just getting home from work and all lol

btw... fair warning.... I had some of the materials already laying around, like the wire and leather and such..... but they still set me back about $90. Also the wood and pouch... also acts as a balance, and you want centered on your back.

[Noriko]

YAY! Thank you Dark Priestess! I'm making wings now for JACON in April and I was a little confused as to how to make the frame. :confused:

What I do know, however, is that some cosplayers but the straps UNDER their costume and leave a hole for where the wings would go through. But, the wings have to be detachable from the "base" for that to work, otherwise.... you'd have to put a HUGE hole in the back of your costume.

[PsychoXLeXCemu]

not nessecarly. you can rip a hole down the back of the costume (the size of the strap) with a seam riper. sew the sides up with a button hole seam so the hole doesn't get bigger. then, getting into the wings will take help. slide the straps into the costume and hop in. it will take a few tries and some monuvering, but it will work. now if you're worried bout the base showing, you can cover the base with the same fabric used on the costume, or make a flap on the costume to cover over the base...also i know different way of making wings that cost about $50...that's cheep considering my belldandy wings cost bout $80 x.x but i'll only tell ya if ya pm meh (i don't really feel like typing it out now)

[Pura]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/purapura/Krad.jpg

He has a thing that goes over his shoulders. Therefore i won't be able to use straps unlease i cut a hole in the back of that thing.

[PsychoXLeXCemu]

well yeah, but it's the same principle XP you could try and bend the wings from the base, but that takes mad skilz...

[DarkPriestess]

Actually that shoulder piece would be perfect for HIDING the straps. You'd have to put the wings on first and then that, but with my Nina cosplay my wings go on, and then my gauntlets and my wig (I got lucky with my harness and my wig hides it all... it's looong... try white leather or vinly for your harness)


I'm not sure exactly how well it would work... but that shoulder piece looks like it could all be made into one wrap around piece. After the straps are on your shoulders and the wings in place, the shoulder piece could be more like a blanket ish type thing. All one piece, made so it wraps around the top of your shoulders tight so as to not fall down, and you should have room to slide it between your body and your wings. Then just use the mini belt on the front to hold it all together.

Worst case senario, you could always make the shoulder piece a bit shorter then it has to be, OR make two slits in it, common in chinese dresses (like Chun-li's) just big enough for the wings to slide through

[DarkPriestess]

What I do know, however, is that some cosplayers but the straps UNDER their costume and leave a hole for where the wings would go through. But, the wings have to be detachable from the "base" for that to work,


I had thought about that, and tried to figure out a way to do that, but my wings are too massive to pull off something like that (when making them I didn't know about the six inch rule, because Anime Reactor sucked and even though they enforced it, it never said anything about it ANYWHERE in their forum or rulebook, and I wanted them as close to my reference picture as possible) , and still keep all the control that I have over them. My theory was to take the straps and such and take the buckles you find on tote bags (where you have to press in both sides to release it) and then the holes in my cosplays would only need to be big enough for those clips, but that would probably increase the strain on your shoulders. One end would be sewn onto the straps on your shoulder, the other end sewn onto the harness. Never been tested, but it IS an idea.

[PsychoXLeXCemu]

Sinner, how much experience do ya have? this will be difficult for a first timer, there appears to be many more difficult things on the costume you have to figure out (aka: the wig's gonna take some skilz and i don't know if you'll be able to figure out the shrug...since i don't know your experience level)
i still say go with making 2 slits on the back of the sholder wrap thingy for the straps to go tho, then cover the base with the same fabric type of fabric used...you probally won't have to worry bout covering the straps (aka putting them on the inside of the costume) since the sholder shrug should cover them...do ya get what i'm saying?

[Pura]

Mmm, but now, i'm not sure if i'll cosplay. (Actually, i think a better word to use would be crossplay xP) it depends on my friend who was gonna do it with me. Maybe i'll try something more simpler if i do decide to cosplay.

Oh, and i'v never cosplayed before. (Though acording to my old teacher i'm 'creative' ... suuure)

[Manadevil]

Your best bet might be to get something you could wear under your clothes and then cut a hole in the back. I guess you might have to.