I've started this post as a place to collect links to different resources that I use regularly on this project. I will list here places I order things from, places that offer services I use, etc. That way, I will have the entire list consolidated into one.
I will also link to this post directly from the right hand side column of my blog, down on the right. Easy access!
Latex Rubber, Urethane and pigments:
www.monsterclub.com
So-Strong pigments, Tints and Opaque
Micro-Mark Opaque Pigments - Untested, but interesting
Innovative Polymer's Pigments - Also untested, but recommended
http://www.theengineerguy.com - for making urethane opaque
Molding and Casting Materials:
Body Double Lifecasting Silicone from Smooth-On
Perma-Flex - Local distributor of Smooth-On products
Boot Makers
http://www.magnoliclothiers.com/
http://www.siamleathergoods.com/
http://www.caboots.zoovy.com
Cape Fabric
http://www.trimfabric.com/
Wide White Gabardine
A blog post about Twills with links.
Strawberry Red Twill - This is the fabric I'm using for my cape.
Stretch Fabric
https://spandexworld.com/
Royal Blue at Spandexworld.com that I like
http://www.spandexhouse.com/
http://www.stretchhouse.com/
Rit Dye
http://www.ritdye.com
Laser Cutters
M&K Engraving. Contact Katie at katie@mkengraving.com.
http://www.customlasercutting.com/
http://www.rmslaser.com/
Latex Pigments
http://www.woodcraft.com/
Silk Screens and Supplies
http://www.westarsolutions.com/index.html - really helpful and awesome. This is where I got my stuff from.
http://www.northeastsilkscreen.com/
http://www.schillinggraphics.com/
Versatex Fixer - eliminate heat fixing of speedball inks.
Speedball Printing Inks
Body Suit Information and Tutorials
http://www.stretchy.org/
http://www.thegreenpepper.com/adults.html - Pattern 408. After working with the pattern a lot, I'm not terribly impressed with it. Might make for a good starting point, but you need some solid experience on modifying an existing pattern to make it work. A bit sloppy.
http://sewingpatterns.com/ - A great source for ordering Kwik-Sew patterns. They can mail you the paper, or you can download a pdf. Patterns 2881 and 2335 are immensely useful.
http://www.weaponofcreation.com - An informative site about making body suits.
Fiber Glass Supplies
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com
Matt - I followed the link for the cape fabric you listed. I notice it's a cotton knit instead of a gaberdine. I'm working on a "Lois & Clark" version and just wondering if that fabric "flys" well untreated. I'll be using it as is.
ReplyDeleteThe fabric is good for my needs, since one of my main requirements is that it is thick enough so that latex can soak into it and not through it. It's basically a jersey knit fabric, just like T-Shirts are made of. I would say it's probably NOT a good choice for a cape, as it tends to be pretty stretchy. Perfect for my needs, but probably not for yours.
ReplyDeleteHope that helps!
Hey Matt,
ReplyDeletei am gonna buy a BA suit next week, like i said to you few weeks ago, i will wear a muscle undersuit.
I always heard that the milliskin had properties of compressing the body and muscles, so i made my undersuit in that way by bumping some parts of my body, but i just received a mail of BA saying that was fasle and the milliskin don't compresse in anything the body, lycra does but not the milliskin...so i don't know what to do...what can you tell me about that and the milliskin properties?
it is strange because on the net everyone say that the suit on Brandon Routh was very tight and compresse him a lot and today someone say to me the contrary!!!
Hugues, in my personal opinion, based on my own experience, that comment about compression is utter nonsense. Muscle and flesh are REALLY frickin' dense, and I don't understand how a milliskin suit could compress muscle 30%. That's the number I see on the web.
ReplyDeleteIn all of my work with Milliskin, I have never experienced any compression of any sort.
In my opinion, what happened is that the costume designers released this information in order to justify with the fan base the use of a foam muscle suit for Routh. I think if they had just come out and said "we made a muscle suit, because he wasn't big enough" people would have been outraged. Cuz you know, people get outraged over the dumbest stuff.
As a challenge, try this. Sew up a very simple sleeve using milliskin. Measure your shoulder and bicep. Then put the sleeve on. Did your bicep and shoulder shrink by 30%? now take the same sleeve, and take a full inch or two out of the seam. Try it on again. Did your arm shrink by 30%? It's just not going to happen. The fabric is far more likely to simply stretch than actually compress dense flesh.