OKOK I'm giving an update on the ab wrap section despite the fact that it is not done. It's a really tricky thing it is.
AB WRAP UPDATE
TD;DR: Ab done but idk how to close it at the back. Tried zipper, it broke. Don't want Velcro. Need ideas.
I started with the ab section because I though it would be the hardest, and oh boy is it not easy. I used the attached pdo file to get the larger shapes cut out of 4mm EVA foam. Then, I used faux leather (that does not stretch) to cover the foam. I bought the leather at fabricland. I used contact cement to glue the leather to the foam. I made sure to wrap it around the edges.
Then I sewed all the pieces together. I initially tried gluing, and using a thin layer of foam to glue it all to, but you would always be able to see the glue if the pieces stretched, which I did not like. So, I've been using the ultra slow method of hand sewing to attach all the pieces together. Here is what the progress is:
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Foam and back of faux leather
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Contact cement on, waiting for it to dry
I guess I didn't take a picture of the piece by itself?
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All pieces (except spine) assembled
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Inside
In the middle, you can see that these are the first pieces I attached, and wasn't sure which method of attaching I was using. You can see that my stitching is exceptionally bad, as this is really the first time I sewed anything by hand. You can see that I improved slightly over time.
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Stiching along the back piece
It's better than the front. Still not great but better XD
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Current state
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Side view
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Back view (no spine yet)
I think if looks great! It fits me really snugly as well. I made a duct-tape dummy of just my torso to figure out how I'm going to get in and out of it. I'm still trying to figure out how I will be able to put in on and take it off. I did have a zipper along the opening, but having a zipper go along that curve put a lot of stress on it, and it broke after a few open-close cycles. Yesterday I tried using magnets, but unless they're ultra-strong I don't think they will work too well. I have those laces they put on snowboard boots coming in the mail, so maybe those will work. The problem with the opening is that it is not a straight line, and when you close it it needs to push the back plate out sort of.
I was considering Velcro, but seeing as the opening is on the back I think it would be difficult to put on and off without someone else's help. I want this whole suit to be independent, as in I want to be able to put it on without someone else's help.
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Spine Piece
The spine piece will be attached to the flat plate on the back once I figure out how the ab wrap will close at the back. I actually made the spine twice, I still have to paint the second one. I bought flexible paint that I think will work better than spray paint, and want to use it on the spine. I had already painted the spine piece in the picture above when I bought the paint though.
In the pdo file the spine is really complex and very scary, but it doesn't have to be!
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Spine in pdo file
Instead of using4-5 small pieces of foam to make each part of the spine, just use thick foam and carve the whole shape out of it. It makes it so much easier to work on! This is how the whole spine section was made from 8-9 pieces of foam! I didn't wrap each piece in leather though. That would be tricky. Also, the spine is a slightly different colour, so painting it won't be out of place!
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Reference of Back
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Reference of Front
Anyways, this is where the ab section is at right now. I have a bit of foam armour pieces made that I will update you guys with soon, but I wanted to show this first. If you have suggestions on how to close the ab section at the back please let me know!!!
