This is a tutorial over how i made the Belt for my Voltron Paladin Armor. It is made out of craft foam and has the ability to light up. Since there are so many parts to this armor, I will be breaking it down into many different tutorials. This one shall cover the belt. Enjoy!!
Disclaimer: I did not pattern this out. I simply took my own measurements and then sketched out the design.
FOLLOW ALL SAFETY RULES! (AKA use filtering mask and work in a well ventilated area if using things such as spray paint or contact cement, cut away from yourself, safety glasses, etc)
Materials: 5mm craft foam, 2mm or 3mm craft foam, glossy mod podge (Or another sealant), white plasti-dip (or another primer for foam), heat gun, box cutter (or craft knife), acrylic paint (white and gray), hot glue gun and sticks, contact cement, Velcro, battery operated LED lights (I got mine from amazon), plastic sheet protectors, light blue tissue paper, marker, ruler, paint brushes, scissors, sewing measuring tape.
Time to complete: 4-6 hours
Steps:
1: Take basic measurements. Depending on where you want you belt to sit, you will need to measure the circumference of your waist or hips. (Reminder: take in the fact that your foam has some depth to it. You may want to add 1/4 inch/ 5 mm to your circumference) You will also need to measure how big you want the side/hip pieces to be (Since mine is on my hips, I measure out the width and length of my hip bones so that it would sit on them comfortably). (Make note of at what measurements your sides are at. The octagon shape should cover most of your sides)
2: Mark out the measurements onto the foam and then use them as guide lines to draw out the basic shape. Make adjustments until you are happy. Then, using a sharp box cutter or another crafting knife, cut out your belt. Glue the pieces together as need. (For gluing: I use both hot glue and contact cement. Don’t use hot glue alone if you live in a really hot place or plan to store this in a hot place. The hot glue will melt)
3: Time for the little pocket thingy! Using your measurements for the hip/side octagons, draw out an elongated hexagon. Cut out a rectangle near the top. Glue on a piece of thinner foam to the back of the hexagon. (This creates a false backing. This is just a detail and is not a necessity if you do not want to do it).
4: Using your heat gun, heat seal all of your foam. While it is still warm, bend the belt to the shape of waist/hips. Bend the hexagon shapes slightly and push the sides in to give it a pop up look.
5: Glue the hexagon-pocket things down. Glue down the top, then gently push upwards a little before gluing down the bottom. Then glue down the sides.
6: Buckle... (this quiznacking piece took me three tries to get it right) Draw out the diamond shape onto the foam and cut it out. Cut out a small rectangle near the top (this will be where you insert the lights) Using the same diamond shape, extend the sides to make little tabs.
After cutting these tabs out, cut one side of each piece at a slight angle (the angle side of one piece will connect to a straight side of another)
Glue these together. Trace the back shape out on the plastic sheet protector and the tissue paper. Glue the tissue paper in between the sheet protector. (This will act as a filter for the lights). Glue this to the top of the buckle and then glue the top to the back.
7: Glue the buckle to one side of the belt. Glue a small piece of Velcro to the buckle and then to the other side of the belt.
8: Prime the whole thing! (I used about 2 coats of the plasti-dip) Paint the pieces, the belt white, the pockets and buckle gray. Seal the paint (I used about 5 layers of glossy mod podge) (if you need to/want to, you can sand down any rough edges before you paint anything)
9: Roll the stringed LED lights into small loops (I made three to spread them out more) and insert them into the back of the buckle. Then thread them around the inside of the belt to the side or back. Using Velcro, attach the battery pack to the belt. (I taped down the wires so they can be removable but wouldn’t fall down or get caught on something)
And then you are done!! You have now finished the belt of the Voltron Paladin Armor!! YAY!!
Other Tutorials: Voltron Armor: Thigh, Calf, Knee Pads
Happy Wednesday! Today we’re taking a break from vacation content (it’ll be back tomorrow, I promise 😉 ) and I’m sharing a brand new Wear It Wednesday tutorial – 5 ways to knot a belt! Adding a belt to a look can help dress it up, define your waist and take the ensemble to the next level. I’m sharing five simple ways to style your belt, from an easy knot to a more elaborate double belt loop.…
I have the hardest time finding belts for dresses like this (they always end up being too big)...knowing how to make your own really simple belts is a great tool to have in your arsenal. There’s nothing better than an article of clothing specifically tailored to you!
High on DIY’s tutorial is simple and easy to follow. I might even spice it up with different materials, colors, etc. Give it a go!
Hello! I am making a raven belt myself, but having trouble finding the right size casting! I'm not sure if i messaged you about this before, but i hope you don't mind me asking again. Where did get the castings for the shape of the gems in post/43583550766/ ? Thank you!
Hey! I don’t think you’ve messaged me specifically, but I have answered this in detail here.
I didn’t specifically get mine from this website (I’m able to buy them at local craft stores), but I use Castin’ Craft MC-5 molds with 1oz of resin. :)
Hey, i had a question about one of your How-Tos. How did you get the gems off the molds for your raven once they were done hardening?
I use a mold release on the molds before I add the resin, so once the gems are hardened, I just give the molds a whack* with a hammer and they pop out.
*Or several lighter taps, which is generally better and less harmful to the mold/gems.
elfgrove also tested using other methods of mold release...things, and you can see her results here. (Aka dishsoap seems to work as well as mold release.)
If you've already got your gems cast and you haven't coated the molds with something before doing so...uh...I'm not entirely sure what you'd do, other than trying to get them out the way you'd normally do it. I'd be more concerned with saving the mold than the resin myself at that point.
Hello! You've probably have been asked before, but I cannot find it if so! For your Raven belt, what did you do for the chains? If I can't get what you have, what would be the cheapest alternative to the belt? I'm only cosplaying for a day (free comic book day in canada I'm super stoked), but will be improving it gradually in preparation for conventions.
The chain itself is a length of gold chain I bought locally and then made into smaller pieces around the large links of the belt itself by using pliers to take them apart. If that makes sense. If you’re in Toronto, I specifically bought it at the Leather Supply Store which is now on Spadina. I don’t think it was terribly too expensive? Maybe $2 a yard and you only really need just less than your waist measurement. The large circles were a bit pricey though (a few bucks each, and there’s…8? of them?).
Other options… I mean, sometimes second hand stores have chain belts that can make a good base. I personally have one that’s decent, albeit a little small. There are some on ebay, or maybe places like Ardenes? I’m not entirely sure unfortunately.
