Black Widow Cosplay Belt and Arm Bands

by JOANN |

Item # 522117185P82

Intermediate Varies

Cut out templates. Dotted lines are for placement only. Cut foam parts using a sharp X-ACTO blade.

Use a heat gun to close pores on all surfaces of foam. Apply a small amount of heat in a spiral motion, 2" from all surfaces. Surfaces will become slightly glossy.

Lay 3 1/2" wide belt on a flat surface. Mark 1/2" in from each long edge with a light pencil line. Apply contact cement in this area and to the back of the 2" wide belt. Attach the two lengths together starting at one end. Line up the end curves. Continue pressing together keeping the edges of the 2" belt between the pencil lines.

Place the 3" wide 5mm thick center detail on a flat surface. Layer with 2mm medallion base matching top and bottom flat edges. Mark light pencil lines for registration. Lay 5mm medallion centered on top. Mark light pencil lines for registration. Attach one layer at a time with contact cement.

Place the medallion section on top of the belt. Line up the center lines of the 3 1/2" wide portion of the belt with the center lines of the medallion. Mark and glue in place._x000B_Mark points in the center of the 2" belt, 1/4" from outer edges of medallion base. This is the start point for the 1" edge of the 2mm rivet detail. Place the detail plate 1/2" from long edges of 2" belt. Mark and glue.

Mark points in the center of the belt 1/4" past the rivet detail. Place an oval detail plate starting at this point. Mark and glue. Glue oval detail in place.

Repeat marking and attaching rivet plates and oval details, alternating, with the same spacing. Do not glue the last rivet plates in place.

Cut one 6" and one 12" long lengths of belting. Use a match to melt the cut edge of the nylon to stop fray. Do not strike a match in the same location where contact cement is being used. Use contact cement to glue belting. Fold the 6" section through the outer section of the buckle. Glue the tail 1" of belting together. Place the glued section centered on the short end of the belt overlapping the belt by 1". Glue in place. Overlap the remaining short rivet plate on top of the belting, same 1/4" spacing from the previous oval detail. Glue in place. Weave the prong end of the buckle on to the 12" long belting. Glue in place one end of belting same as the other end, 1" in centered on belt. The other end of belting should face away from the belt, accessible to adjust length. Cover belting with remaining wider rivet plate.

Add rivets. Locations on template. Let belt set for 1/2 hour. Heat over rivets. Use a sparse amount of heat. The cut edges may be softened if rubbed gently while warm.

Optional: Cut slight grooves around one end of dowels. Mark 1/2" from one end of each dowel. Use a band saw to cut groove. Hold the dowel flat to the saw bed and slowly spin side of dowel against the blade. Taper the opposite ends of the dowels using a sanding drum on a rotary tool. Hold a dowel firmly on a tabletop with the end to be tapered overhanging the edge of the table. Slowly spin the dowel removing a small amount of material at a time.

Use heat from a heat gun to close pores on all surfaces of foam. Apply a small amount of heat to each edge. Surfaces will become slightly glossy.

Place dowels on to back plates. Lay the back plate on a flat surface. Place the 5 1/2" dowel centered side to side on the back plate. Place one end, tapered end, flush with the bottom edge of the arm band. Glue in place. On either side of the 5 1/2" dowel place a 5" dowel and so on. Each set of dowels will step down 1/2". Keep the bottom edges flush with the bottom edge of the base plate. Glue only along the bottom curve of the dowel to be sure that the dowels do not become glued on to another. Gently heat the back of one arm band. Curve the band matching the 3 1/2" edges. Tape to help hold the curve until the foam has cooled. Repeat.

Test fit arm bands. Cut four 3" lengths of elastic. Glue one end of two elastic lengths to the back of one side of the arm band. Repeat. Let glue dry 1/2 hour. Repeat for the other end of elastic. Adjust length to fit.

Use a foam brush to apply a thin coat of Mod Podge to all surfaces. Pull out any puddles. Let dry overnight. Use a small piece of fine sandpaper to soften any rough edges. Use a small flat brush to paint the edges and the flat surface of the medallion red. Multiple coats will be necessary. Paint the belt and arm bands black. Allow to dry overnight.

A band saw may be used to cut 5mm foam.
Use a respirator in a well ventilated area when working with Contact Cement.
Avoid any unnecessary marking on surfaces of foam. Some minor imperfections may be flattened while heating.