Here is a video that I went along with while first attempting this: From Stiches.tv on Youtube
Below I have posted the results from my own attempt.
Things you will need:
- Duct Tape
- T-shirt
- Craft Scissors
- Poly-Fil (used to stuff the mannequin)
The goal of this project is to create a mannequin as your base when making cosplay outfits. This saves a lot of money and you can actually work on something based on your exact measurements.
This process takes about 1.5-2 hours. Two people are required for this project. More people can speed it up however.
- Find an old T-Shirt that you don’t mind losing and put it on.
- Have someone wrap tape around you or use strips of tape. (For this my gf helped me) Keep doing this process from the hip up until the top of your chest for about 5 layers of tape.
- At the top of the chest, make sure the tape is padded on thick, with layers of tape going vertically down towards your chest, like a V shape.
- Duct tape around the shoulders and underarms until you get a thick padding.
- Carefully cut from the back of the duct tape all the way up until the top of your back. (The goal of this is to cut you out of it while keeping the form)
- Lift the tape mannequin off your body slowly and place it on a table
- Take the Poly-Fil or any stuffing you choose and pack the mannequin about 1/4th of the way
- Once your mannequin is full 1/4 of the way, start duct taping the back part up again where you cut it
- Once back is duct taped and closed, continue to fill the mannequin until its full and firm
- Duct tape the loose ends on the mannequin so the filler doesn’t get out
To finish, I stuck a hanger in the top of mine, then cut the top of the hanger off, and placed a foam mannequin head in the top from Jo-Ann Fabrics.
Now you have your own mannequin that has your exact dimensions for under 20 dollars!