Labcoat Costume
So I went the route of the Mad Scientist costume, as I'm sure a good number of us have, especially those trying to pull something together in time for ComiCon this week. It arrived today, and I'll say right away that it's far from perfect - pretty much standard costume-in-a-bag material, but nothing more can be expected. With a few tweaks, I'm thinking it'll look pretty decent...it does happen to smell kind of odd, though. Not sure what that's about...
I'll try to get pictures up tomorrow, if anyone cares, but here's what I've got so far.
(Before reading this, ya'll should know that I am in NO way a seamstress, just a vaguely crafty gal who has only one day to get everything done :D)
First off, the thing is quite large and loose. I ordered a 'Teen' size from HalloweenMart.com, $10 cheaper than Adult, and it's still big. It's supposed to fit chest sizes 36-42; offhand, I'm not sure what I am, but probably at the smaller end of that.
Secondly, it's quite long, almost reaching my ankles. I'll definitely be cutting off a good portion from the bottom. (I cut off just below the 12th button; one could probably go a little higher than that.)
As was also probably noted, there is no breast pocket on the costume, so I'll be trying to add one using the cut fabric. I'm also hoping to be able to use some to make the back claspy-belt thing to make it fit a little more snugly.(I did use the cut fabric to make a little pocket and a "gathering" belt at the back - the belt attaches using some spare velcro and does a nice job of pulling the extra chest fabric together.)
The buttons are plastic and black, but don't actually serve any functional purpose, so they should be easy enough to remove and then replace with more appropriate, pearly white ones.(It was easy enough to pull them off, and I used 7 cheap, clearish plastic ones in their place. It should really be 8, but I couldn't fit four on the shoulder bit.)
The costume works like a hospital gown, with a slit that reaches about halfway down the back and ties at the back of the neck. It'd be nice if I could figure a simple way to close it more securely, like velcro or something.(Velcro was easy to put it, but you kind of need someone else to help you close it up when you put it on.)
Like everyone else, I'll be attempting to make an iron-on transfer of the caduceus, though I STILL don't think I have a picture that's big enough...maybe Kinko's would blow it up without screwing the clarity of it? One can only hope. (I ended up drawing the damn thing. Came out ok. The transfer went through without any hiccups.)
Also, I accidentally ended up with 2 pairs of boots - does anyone know if spray painting one pair black would be possible?
HERE are the pictures thuof the coat, expect shots of the full costume in a day or two:
Here is the original, black buttoned costume. As mentioned, it opens through a slit in the back.
And here is the modified version. Cut shorter, different buttons, a breast pocket w/ caduceus, and a gathering belt at the back.
A full day's worth of work, but not bad for such little time, I guess. It's gonna be hot to wear at the con - not that that's ever stopped anyone cosplaying before (:
You guys are the most amazing people -- can't wait to (hopefully) see some of you at ComiCon on Friday! (:
EDIT: Pictures of the altered coat are now up.
I'll try to get pictures up tomorrow, if anyone cares, but here's what I've got so far.
(Before reading this, ya'll should know that I am in NO way a seamstress, just a vaguely crafty gal who has only one day to get everything done :D)
First off, the thing is quite large and loose. I ordered a 'Teen' size from HalloweenMart.com, $10 cheaper than Adult, and it's still big. It's supposed to fit chest sizes 36-42; offhand, I'm not sure what I am, but probably at the smaller end of that.
Secondly, it's quite long, almost reaching my ankles. I'll definitely be cutting off a good portion from the bottom. (I cut off just below the 12th button; one could probably go a little higher than that.)
As was also probably noted, there is no breast pocket on the costume, so I'll be trying to add one using the cut fabric. I'm also hoping to be able to use some to make the back claspy-belt thing to make it fit a little more snugly.(I did use the cut fabric to make a little pocket and a "gathering" belt at the back - the belt attaches using some spare velcro and does a nice job of pulling the extra chest fabric together.)
The buttons are plastic and black, but don't actually serve any functional purpose, so they should be easy enough to remove and then replace with more appropriate, pearly white ones.(It was easy enough to pull them off, and I used 7 cheap, clearish plastic ones in their place. It should really be 8, but I couldn't fit four on the shoulder bit.)
The costume works like a hospital gown, with a slit that reaches about halfway down the back and ties at the back of the neck. It'd be nice if I could figure a simple way to close it more securely, like velcro or something.(Velcro was easy to put it, but you kind of need someone else to help you close it up when you put it on.)
Like everyone else, I'll be attempting to make an iron-on transfer of the caduceus, though I STILL don't think I have a picture that's big enough...maybe Kinko's would blow it up without screwing the clarity of it? One can only hope. (I ended up drawing the damn thing. Came out ok. The transfer went through without any hiccups.)
Also, I accidentally ended up with 2 pairs of boots - does anyone know if spray painting one pair black would be possible?
HERE are the pictures thuof the coat, expect shots of the full costume in a day or two:
Here is the original, black buttoned costume. As mentioned, it opens through a slit in the back.
And here is the modified version. Cut shorter, different buttons, a breast pocket w/ caduceus, and a gathering belt at the back.
A full day's worth of work, but not bad for such little time, I guess. It's gonna be hot to wear at the con - not that that's ever stopped anyone cosplaying before (:
You guys are the most amazing people -- can't wait to (hopefully) see some of you at ComiCon on Friday! (:
EDIT: Pictures of the altered coat are now up.