So last night I decided to make a duct tape dummy. With the enlisted help of my fiance (he thought it might be kinda fun), we set to work.
Let me tell you, duct tape is not breathable at all, and it wrinkles a ton. We went through 120 yards of duct tape for my 100lb, 5'1" frame, which equaled about four rolls. It went on, cut off my circulation, and I couldn't move at all. Then when we finally (two and a half hours later) were able to cut it off, the tape was too tight and I cut myself trying to get it off.
Duct tape dummy protips:
1. Don't use plastic bags between you and the duct tape. It's super uncomfortable. Use a thin fabric instead. This will also help you get it off easier since plastic bags stick to skin.
2. You need two people. End of story. You can't move except for a tiny hobble that makes a penguin look limber and agile.
3. Use lots of duct tape. I recommend three to four layers.
4. Make sure any extra bits of fat (hips, breast, rear) are placed where you want them to be, otherwise they will be grotesquely flattened out and pudge up like a muffin top.
5. Use blunt nose scissors that are super sharp. I cut myself a lot by having dull pointed scissors.
6. Don't cut off your circulation like I did. Plus, you want a little gap between your clothes and your body, and making your dummy smaller than you are will just make things pooch out weird.
Other than that, it was actually a little bit of fun, I felt ridiculous, and now I have a perfectly sized duct tape dummy to work on. Now I have to tape it back up, make an armature, and stuff it. Bueno.
@ Extra_Crispy: Thanks! Use away, haha. I think I have an idea to promote more breathability, as well as add a little bit more stretch room to get in and out. I think it will save my sewing machine too, since I tested out some leather pieces last night and it spat them out in a mangled heap. I don't think it likes that my first sewing foray was a difficult medium like leather.
@AbbyWanKenobi: Thank you! I've been keeping an eye on your build too, and I think you're doing a good job! It's good to see other chicks here on the 405th
@M-071: That sounds amazing! My sewing machine doesn't like me very much, so it sounds great being able to get together with someone that knows what they're doing, even if it's just to talk shop. I'm pretty busy most of the time, but if you live fairly close then that won't be a problem. I'll send you a PM to see what we can do.
@DYSTORTED INC: Thanks! Milanoo is really the best site for those suits. They're so flexible with the styling and I love the fact that they're all custom fitted! I got my bodysuit for my Catwoman costume that I wore last Halloween there.