Fabric for Batgirl costume? And construction questions

[crystalnickel]

Hi, I am looking to make the Batgirl costume. I have read in the archive about buying the royal blue fabric and dyeing it, but more recently read that a purple has been found in a matching color. I did not see any links to buy it though, and am hoping someone can help me out on where to get it.

Also, wondering how the cowl is shaped and hardened. What is the easiest and most common material used for this? And it is purple velvet on her actual mask, correct? I've seen some people make it using black, but I always thought it was purple.

Finally, wondering about the internal shaping of these costumes. What is known on the construction of the corset or shapewear inside that gives that really cinched waistline look?

Thanks!

[That_weirdo_Cage]

It's perhaps not terribly useful input, but IIRC the waist is made to cinch in by having something like a drawstring built in at the tightest point. I don't really know what I'm talking about, though. I would like to have a more correct answer myself, actually.

[Bob]

drop a PM to...Lauralot . She just finished her costume and may have firsthand knowledge

[crystalnickel]

Thanks. I don't appear to have access to the pm feature.

[Scott Sebring]

Thanks. I don't appear to have access to the pm feature.

A couple of more posts and you'll be able to use this feature.

The recent fabric find that seemed to be a match was not in ongoing supply to my knowledge. Just a chance find.

For the Batgirl cowl that Vickie and I made, I created a "hat block" shape out of styrofoam and covered it in plastic wrap before shaping my material over it. I used Fosshape (learn about it here: http://www.wonderflexworld.com/fosshape ... questions/)to create the cowl shape, the face piece and ear inserts. The main cowl head was done in two separate pieces; the face part (covered in purple velvet) and then the rest of the head covered in a stretch satin. The ears were stitched on after.

As for the inside, there is no major structure built in like a corset but there is the waist ribbon bit that Yvonne confirmed was in there on hers.

Hoped this helped.

[crystalnickel]

Thank you. That is very helpful. So that fabric is no longer available? That a drawstring is all that's used is interesting. It doesn't seem like just a drawstring would give that nice cinched waist since many ladies corset train to get that look for cosplay! I guess Yvonne had a pretty killer figure even without the drawstring though.