Building a Better "Bug" Costume, Part 1: Inspiration

Reposted from d-Infinity blog.


Being a seamstress for many years, I typically address all of my costuming needs with a sewing machine. I can transform fabric into just about anything I need. However, as I become more deeply involved in sci-fi and fantasy costuming, I find that mere fabric is not quite enough to create the effects that I'm going for. Specifically, I want to build a better "bug" costume - an alien with insect-like exoskeleton or armor - without spending a fortune on new tools and materials. It also needs to fit a range of human sizes: Medium to 2XL.

As I set about my task, I will share what I learn with you here, in this multi-part series. Suggestions and comments are welcome! Now let's begin.

So What Does it Look Like?
I want my design to suggest something that my audience will be familiar with, but still be original. So I am mining the Interwebs for photos for inspiration.

Our old friend

Our other old friend

Check out this collection. I will be adding more photos to it as the project rolls along. I have found that Pinterest is a great way to save and organize photos like this for your projects.

What would you use for inspiration? Feel free to share your thoughts and comments here.

I am now working on some rough sketches for what I want my "bug" to look like. When I figure out how to scan these sketches into the computer, that will be the subject of Part 2 in this series! Stay tuned.

MegaCon Costume Stuff

Spent a couple weekends in sunny Florida, and that was nice. Had fun at MegaCon, even though it isn't entirely my cup of tea. Sure, I like comic book superheroes, and I'm a huge fan of anything Star Wars, but the con is now dominated by the anime kids, and I don't really get all of it. My favorite anime films are 25+ years old at this point. So, I'm a bit behind on the current trends.

I did squee over all the hype for the upcoming release of the "Thor" movie.




S.H.I.E.L.D. - the fictional law enforcement agency in the Marvel universe

...and took photos of everything Star Wars...

I am currently working on an imperial officer uniform, and Stefan has informed me that I could make one for him, too, if I wanted.

The costume that I wore at MegaCon is my own invention - it is a very faithfully constructed 1870s period ladies dress, made out of the digital urban camo fabric of the fictional US Marine Space Corps uniform, with all the appropriate emblems and insignia of such. No one was going to guess that one, but a lot of people thought it was something "steampunk." I just wanted to do a twist on the USMSC uniform. That is not unusual to see at a con. For example:

On the right - Gladiator/Roman Soldier Stormtrooper. And, there was also Pimp Vader.

I thought the BSG folks looked great, and I promise myself that I will do a BSG costume, probably a deck hand or shuttle (viper) pilot, at some point.

So I got to thinking about a lot of other fantasy/sci-fi costumes that I would like to do, like a Romulan, or Borg from Star Trek...maybe something from Babylon 5...