Since I have been seeing some inquiries and discussions spread out across the board, I thought I'd try to help a bit here.
Here’s some of the basic FAQs concerning the Batgirl costume.

1)  Where can I get the shiny purple material?
A)  The material is a stretch lame.  It is only a two way stretch as opposed to a 4 way stretch spandex, so you have to work out which way each piece is going to stretch for you before you cut it. Also, as of this writing and many many failed attempts over the past two years of searching and purchasing all kinds of shiny purple lames, the stuff that they used and the only stuff that really looks like the REAL DEAL is no longer made in purple.  Save yourself the heartache of trying to find it on eBay.  Been there done that so you don’t have to.
You can find the actual type of material here: http://www.spandexhouse.com/product.asp
Look up their STRETCH LAME.  Get the blue.  You’ll need to get the dye that you’re using up to a boil because you are going to “stain” the metallic fiber because it will otherwise not take the dye.  I believe Greg used Rit’s FUCIA dye to create the color shift and it seems to be the most successful to date.

2)  What is the Batgirl cowl made of?
A)  Sugar and spice and…well actually it is made from Buckram and was a soft sculpted design as opposed to Batman’s fiberglass shell covered with shiny satin.  Batgirl’s cowl is put together and formed much like a hat including millenary wire in the construction as well.  The structure is covered with a purple satin material.  Some stretch in the satin is helpful.

3)  I’ve chosen my fabrics and after I’ve made everything and take a picture of it nothing matches anymore.  The cape looks blue, the gloves look like a berry colored purple and nothing matches the suit anymore.  What’s up with the pictures?
A)  Welcome to the wonderful world of purple and photography.  It’s just one of those crazy things.  Even if you look at pictures of Batgirl from the series, you’ll notice that the shades of her costume shifted all the time.  This was not the palette they chose or how it generally looked in person but how photographed in varied conditions and with various cameras.  If you want it to look good in pictures as much as it does in front of you, be sure to get a swatch of the material you are considering for your gloves, cape and cowl.  Then take some pictures and see what happens.  You’ll drive yourself nuts, but you’ll be able to narrow down the material to what will work for you best.

4)  Where can I find patterns for this stuff or a resource guide?
A)  Patterns?  There are none that I or anybody else that I have been working with has been able to find.  Studying pictures ( like the ones in the Batgirl gallery at www.batfriend.com) and working with a skilled costumer is the real key.
Resource guide?  So far, you’re reading the closest thing to one I have ever come across.


I hope this helps and good luck.

You said it Scott, thats it in a nutshell!!! and lemme Add it aint easy and im still figuring things out

If i may add

get at least 5 yards of the fabric
using PURPLE rit dye will shift it to deep blue/purple (photogrpahs blue)
using Fuschia will shift it to Violet?red purple (photographs purple)

GET A BIG RUBBERMAID TUB and boil lots and lots of water, and  mean boil, this fabric wont take dye unless it is really really hot.

It is a one piece suit.  The seam is suppose to go around the natural waist. Note this picture of Greg's suit.


Pay special note to the longer darts going up the bust and the smaller darts going down from the waist.

Not a costumer but having worked with the Batgirl stuff for years and having interviewed and talked to Yvonne in the press and in person - I thought I'd chime in with a few comments.

1. It may seem like "gals torsos were just built differently in the 60's..." but actually if you look at the way Julies, Eartha's,  Lee's and Yvonne's (and on other characters that used the same patterns. I think an early version of the purple batgirl suit was worn by a moll or some other extra character in an episode) you'll see that same 'tuck-in' aspect of the mid/lower torso that many of these homemade costumes don't have when they're modeled on a live girl. These could be the skinniest girls ever and the way that suit is cut will give them a 'pooch' effect often. Part of this is because if you don't have the right body shape and height to match the cut - you won't look right - BUT part of it is the girdle or buttressing construction points that were sewn into these suits that helped create that look. Yvonne has spoken about those aspects as being "secrets of that costume"  and that's what you get when you have super hollywood costume makers employing their trade.

2. Color has always been a tough issue with this show. Whether we're talking about Cerise batmobile stripes or purple jumpsuits or navy/violet bridal satin capes or grey/lilac bat tunics - there is always confusion and questions. Look at the YC photo below as well - the gloves are a totally different hue from the suit.  You can beat yourself up trying to get all your dyed fabrics to match exactly when photographed or you can do what they did on the show: adjust the color temp of your film and/or throw a purple or blue gel over your lighting. You'd be amazed how often the right pro gel will just 'gel up' several colors that need blending. And they used gels on the show all the time.  The best way to see the actual colors of the suits is to view the footage that was filmed in true daylight outside. Even then they color corrected and messed with film color temp more than you can easily do with a filmless digital camera. But if you take a shot and then go into Photoshop and play with color balance - it can get the same effect.

-s

Wow, very informative post(s)!

Wow, that Batgirl, I mean outfit is beautiful!!!

Gino

Scott Sebring wrote on 08/23/06 at 11:53pm:

CatGreg is a talented boy I'll say!

Resource guide?  So far, you’re reading the closest thing to one I have ever come across.

You got that right. PEOPLE, pay attention. You will NOT find a more educated group of people in the world on 66' Batman costuming.

Period !!!!!!!!!!!!!!