The pattern:
I used instructions from Tayla Barter's "Craft Foam Breastplate Tutorial" on YouTube ( http://youtu.be/hj-WC35cxgs ) to make my template. This has been the best template I've made and used so far. It's also the first one I've actually followed all the directions correctly, so correlation...causation...you know.
When I cut the pieces apart, it was really a guessing game as to what should and should not be separated...I don't know if I made the right choice, but it's what I did.
The Foam
I laid the three flat pieces and cut them from my foam: 5/16" EVA foam mat from Harbor Freight (sorry, no photo). Friendly reminder: keep a sharp blade on your knife! A dull blade will start giving you ragged edges. The minute it starts getting ragged, change your blade.
The Cups
I bought styrofoam balls from Hobby Lobby to use as forms for the cups of the armor. I used the same process from the aforementioned video to shape them. The only issue I had is that I didn't shape the top inner corners enough, so I have to go back and reshape that section on my completed piece (not ideal).
Construction
Of course, I used hot glue to put it all together. I then took Foamies craft foam (also from Hobby Lobby) and cut the details. If I were making this for competition use, I would have sculpted the details on top to keep the rounded look of the details. For this, it will have to be flat.
The Star
...was awful. After MANY attempts to draw or cut a decent star, my friend thought of using a cookie cutter as a stencil. Best idea ever.
So I traced a cookie cutter, cut out my star, and started finishing it off with a Dremel tool. It was a hot mess.
After 2 weird starfish stars, I cut another star out of the Foamies craft foam, cut the pieces of it apart, then glued them on top to make a smoother, embossed-looking idea. Again, I would sculpt this piece if I were putting in a competition. For now, quicker is better.
The Finished Build:
I'll do corset lacing up the back even though her actual costume has belts (again, time constraints...). I need to heat and shape the top on either side of the eagle head to curve back in towards me a little more.
What's Next:
I'll prime/seal the piece with PVA glue and then paint it with metallic acrylic paint. I haven't decided yet if I will use my Dremel tool to put textures onto it or if I will paint the textures on. Time is a big deal here, but I don't like cutting corners, and I've already cut a few.
TTFN!
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