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Alexstrasza Costume

Blogs > Riku
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Riku
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
United States1064 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-07-06 00:47:40
July 06 2011 00:40 GMT
#1
My most popular and well known costume is likely the Alexstrasza costume I wore for Blizzcon 2010. I will go over how I created this costume in brief detail in this blog.

After much research, I decided I would use craft foam as the base for my armor. There are many ways to deal with craft foam for armor, the general method is to craft the armor, back it with glue and cheese cloth, then coat the front of it with layers of glue and paint. I, however, opted for coating it with just floral paint. Floral paint is a gift to cosplayers. It doesn't melt foam like most paint, works on almost anything, is flexible, and dries in SECONDS.

I used a basic red craft foam, 3mm thick, for my costume's armor, and used sparkly gold and a light purple for the details. I had to be very careful in choosing the base foam, because the floral paint can only lighten or darken it so much and any scratching easily reveals the base foam if there is not a protective overcoat.

The first part I built of my costume was the chestpiece, as I assumed it would be most difficult. I started by making practice shapes for the chestpiece out of paper and taping them together until I found a pattern that fit like I wanted it to. I then traced this pattern onto a piece of the red craft foam and cut it out. With the pattern cut out, I taped it together using painter's tape, as not to damage the foam:

[image loading]

I put the glue I was using, Modge Podge, all along the seams and then cut out the side pieces of the chestpiece and attached them with tape and glue:

[image loading]

I then removed the tape when they were done drying and gave the outside a few coats of the floral paint I had chosen. After that, I cut out the gold detail from the sparkly gold craft foam. Luckily, the gold craft foam had an adhesive on one side, so I just stuck the pieces on and put glue around the edges:

[image loading]

I then extended the bottom of the chestpiece using more gold craft foam:

[image loading]
[image loading]

I brought this extension around the sides and connected the seams using more glue, then checked the fit. After checking the fit, I was able to determine where to attach the velcro I was going to be using. I layered glue and cheese cloth all along the underside of the chestpiece, then attached the velcro and let it all dry.

I took similar steps with the bottom. First, cutting out the base red shape and then attaching the gold detail. Then, finally, layering the cheesecloth and glue:

[image loading]

For the bracers, I found the shape I wanted, then cut them out and rolled them. Instead of trying to put cheese cloth and glue all along the side of the bracers, I took long strips and put them along the seam, so it would be reinforced. I also used these glue and cheese cloth layers to attach the handguards to the bracers.

The leg plates were simple, the only difficulty being the decor. However, I relied heavily on tracing already cut parts, so I found little issue with them. I did not line these completely with glue and cheese cloth, as they would be taking much less wear and tear.

[image loading]
[image loading]

For the finishing armor touches, I had to create purple "gems." I had wanted to buy or make three dimensional gems, but found those were out of my price range. Thus, I took purple craft foam and layered coats of various finger nail polishes on it until the cut gem shapes were shiny:

[image loading]

For her golden claws, I simply rolled little triangles of the gold craft foam and glued them together with glue and cheese cloth scraps, then taped them with painters tape and let them sit:

[image loading]

Alexstrasza has quite large horns, but, luckily, I made smaller horns before and found that upholstery foam is the perfect material. I carved two horns out of upholstery foam using scissors, then ran them through with a heavy gauge wire and bent them into shape. I then used black floral paint to color them and added gold craft foam for the decor.

For the finishing touches, I bought a red wig from ebay, made her necklace, headpiece and horn decor, and crafted two shoulder pads and strung a wire and the cloak material I both between them. The wire fit perfectly under my necklace, so they seemed to be magically attached to my shoulders!

Here is what the nearly finished product looked like all laid out:

[image loading]

I finally relaxed with a nice surprise meal a guildie got the pizza man to bring me! YAY! Thanks, Unkempt! <3 Mmmm... pepperoni and jalapeno...

[image loading]

I then bought a pair of purple gloves and a pair of purple leggings, got some fake fangs, finished the details and tossed it all together (about three hours before Blizzcon started) to get:

[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]


:D

And that is how I made my Alexstrasza costume. Any questions?



Edit:

Oh, yes, and here's a special video of my guild at Blizzcon! Please note that those fangs give me a lisp... :'( I swear, I don't hiss so much normally!!!



**
Creative Director, CEO at Stumbling Cat, Writer for Broken Joysticks - Twitter: @RikuKat
Tatari
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
United States1179 Posts
July 06 2011 00:45 GMT
#2
Question: Didn't you feel damn cold wearing that? o_O
A fed jungler is no longer a jungler, but a terrorist.
Riku
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
United States1064 Posts
July 06 2011 00:48 GMT
#3
On July 06 2011 09:45 Tatari wrote:
Question: Didn't you feel damn cold wearing that? o_O


It's Anaheim, CA... I was actually almost sweating because it isn't exactly breathable fabric! Especially on the legs!
Creative Director, CEO at Stumbling Cat, Writer for Broken Joysticks - Twitter: @RikuKat
FragKrag
Profile Blog Joined September 2007
United States11552 Posts
July 06 2011 00:50 GMT
#4
I'm pretty sure I saw you at BlizzCon 2010

didn't know who you were then though!
*TL CJ Entusman #40* "like scissors does anything to paper except MAKE IT MORE NUMEROUS" -paper
Risen
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States7927 Posts
July 06 2011 00:57 GMT
#5
Nice to see how much effort goes into this kind of thing, I'd never be able to do this kind of thing.

Side note: was this the costume that got disqualified at blizzcon for being a little too showy?
Pufftrees Everyday>its like a rifter that just used X-Factor/Liquid'Nony: I hope no one lip read XD/Holyflare>it's like policy lynching but better/Resident Los Angeles bachelor
SirJolt
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
the Dagon Knight4003 Posts
July 06 2011 01:01 GMT
#6
On July 06 2011 09:57 Risen wrote:
Side note: was this the costume that got disqualified at blizzcon for being a little too showy?


Wow, I really didn't want to be the first to say it, at the risk of sounding all prudish and stereotypically Irish, but I had this typed and sitting in the post box:

That brassiere is scandalous, young lady.

Could you not have dressed as someone wearing a nice corset, or perhaps a bustier?

+ Show Spoiler +
[image loading]
Moderator@SirJolt
Riku
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
United States1064 Posts
July 06 2011 01:02 GMT
#7
On July 06 2011 09:57 Risen wrote:
Nice to see how much effort goes into this kind of thing, I'd never be able to do this kind of thing.

Side note: was this the costume that got disqualified at blizzcon for being a little too showy?


No.

O.o;

The only restrictions on Blizzcon costumes are:

1) No exposed privates/breasts
2) Cannot be bigger than 7ft tall (so the Illidan who won should have been disqualified)
3) You can't be a sponsor or paid floor person (so the female monk who won should have been disqualified)

:/

Blizzard really doesn't enforce their own rules to the contest, so I wonder why they have some of them...
Creative Director, CEO at Stumbling Cat, Writer for Broken Joysticks - Twitter: @RikuKat
Al Bundy
Profile Joined April 2010
7257 Posts
July 06 2011 01:03 GMT
#8
Very well done Pretty much perfect. Quality cosplay is so rare in the West
o choro é livre
Riku
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
United States1064 Posts
July 06 2011 01:03 GMT
#9
On July 06 2011 10:01 SirJolt wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 06 2011 09:57 Risen wrote:
Side note: was this the costume that got disqualified at blizzcon for being a little too showy?


Wow, I really didn't want to be the first to say it, at the risk of sounding all prudish and stereotypically Irish, but I had this typed and sitting in the post box:

That brassiere is scandalous, young lady.

Could you not have dressed as someone wearing a nice corset, or perhaps a bustier?

+ Show Spoiler +
[image loading]


I think every girl my age owns and wears in public swimsuits that show off WAY more.

;D

I think it's just the fact it's armor and I have horns that make it seems a little more scandalous.
Creative Director, CEO at Stumbling Cat, Writer for Broken Joysticks - Twitter: @RikuKat
Slayer91
Profile Joined February 2006
Ireland23335 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-07-06 01:05:20
July 06 2011 01:05 GMT
#10
On July 06 2011 10:02 Riku wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 06 2011 09:57 Risen wrote:
Nice to see how much effort goes into this kind of thing, I'd never be able to do this kind of thing.

Side note: was this the costume that got disqualified at blizzcon for being a little too showy?


No.

O.o;

The only restrictions on Blizzcon costumes are:

1) No exposed privates/breasts
2) Cannot be bigger than 7ft tall (so the Illidan who won should have been disqualified)
3) You can't be a sponsor or paid floor person (so the female monk who won should have been disqualified)

:/

Blizzard really doesn't enforce their own rules to the contest, so I wonder why they have some of them...



So, what basically you're suggesting is that since rules 2 and 3 were broken, technically they might let rule 1 slide?

Looking forward to your costume next year!
Riku
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
United States1064 Posts
July 06 2011 01:07 GMT
#11
On July 06 2011 10:05 Slayer91 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 06 2011 10:02 Riku wrote:
On July 06 2011 09:57 Risen wrote:
Nice to see how much effort goes into this kind of thing, I'd never be able to do this kind of thing.

Side note: was this the costume that got disqualified at blizzcon for being a little too showy?


No.

O.o;

The only restrictions on Blizzcon costumes are:

1) No exposed privates/breasts
2) Cannot be bigger than 7ft tall (so the Illidan who won should have been disqualified)
3) You can't be a sponsor or paid floor person (so the female monk who won should have been disqualified)

:/

Blizzard really doesn't enforce their own rules to the contest, so I wonder why they have some of them...



So, what basically you're suggesting is that since rules 2 and 3 were broken, technically they might let rule 1 slide?

Looking forward to your costume next year!


EEP!

No, I'm not suggesting that at all! :'(

Actually, that isn't even a written rule, I just wrote it as an assumption! But all of my bits were covered! I promise!!!
Creative Director, CEO at Stumbling Cat, Writer for Broken Joysticks - Twitter: @RikuKat
Torenhire
Profile Blog Joined April 2009
United States11681 Posts
July 06 2011 01:09 GMT
#12
On July 06 2011 10:05 Slayer91 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 06 2011 10:02 Riku wrote:
On July 06 2011 09:57 Risen wrote:
Nice to see how much effort goes into this kind of thing, I'd never be able to do this kind of thing.

Side note: was this the costume that got disqualified at blizzcon for being a little too showy?


No.

O.o;

The only restrictions on Blizzcon costumes are:

1) No exposed privates/breasts
2) Cannot be bigger than 7ft tall (so the Illidan who won should have been disqualified)
3) You can't be a sponsor or paid floor person (so the female monk who won should have been disqualified)

:/

Blizzard really doesn't enforce their own rules to the contest, so I wonder why they have some of them...



So, what basically you're suggesting is that since rules 2 and 3 were broken, technically they might let rule 1 slide?

Looking forward to your costume next year!


Bahahahaha. Spat out my water.

Also SirJolt that gif was fucking hilarious.

I haven't put a whole lot of effort into any costumes I've done. I've done easymode stuff before. I started on a project making my own set of scalemail armor and I could probably do a write up of that but I want to actually finish it first...

It's such an old project I don't remember the character I was trying to replicate. Rofl.
SirJolt: Well maybe if you weren't so big and stupid, it wouldn't have hit you.
Torte de Lini
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Germany38463 Posts
July 06 2011 01:18 GMT
#13
Go as a transformer next time please!
If it's Blizzcon, go as Thor or Siege Tank :3
https://twitter.com/#!/TorteDeLini (@TorteDeLini)
Empyrean
Profile Blog Joined September 2004
16986 Posts
July 06 2011 01:22 GMT
#14
Really cool!
Moderator
Froadac
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
United States6733 Posts
July 06 2011 01:24 GMT
#15
Although this could come off as insensitive, I'm generally curious why you find this rewarding :/
numLoCK
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
Canada1416 Posts
July 06 2011 01:31 GMT
#16
The costume is so revealing that the whole 'cute girl wearing very little' factor really detracts from any 'sweet costume' factor there may be.
Is this something you'd like to avoid, or something you enjoy?
Either way, the costume is very cool. ;P
Chairman Ray
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
United States11903 Posts
July 06 2011 01:32 GMT
#17
That armor doesn't look like it offers much defense at all.
Waxangel
Profile Blog Joined September 2002
United States33385 Posts
July 06 2011 01:33 GMT
#18
is that the year the ridiculous spider lady costume won
AdministratorHey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint?
Backpack
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States1776 Posts
July 06 2011 01:33 GMT
#19
On July 06 2011 10:24 Froadac wrote:
Although this could come off as insensitive, I'm generally curious why you find this rewarding :/


For the same reason that people blog every day.
"You people need to just generally care a lot less about everything." -Zatic
Hot_Bid
Profile Blog Joined October 2003
Braavos36374 Posts
July 06 2011 01:35 GMT
#20
On July 06 2011 10:32 Chairman Ray wrote:
That armor doesn't look like it offers much defense at all.

yeah but anything more and it begins to sacrifice mobility
@Hot_Bid on Twitter - ESPORTS life since 2010 - http://i.imgur.com/U2psw.png
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