This is it folks, the last part of my Ariel tutorial.

In PART ONE we made our list and gathered our supplies. Then in PART TWO we began putting things together. In part three we’ll do the hard part: Patches.

We’ll identify the number and types of patches found on the uniform.

Vest:
1 Large rectangle with caduceus (8.5 in h) and Chinese (bottom), center back. 8 in w x 11.5 in h. Corners cut at an angle.
1 Small rectangle with caduceus (3 in h), right front pocket. 2 in w x 3.75 in h. Corners cut at an angle. This one might be slimmer. I found working on a 1.5 in patch to be frustrating.

Coveralls:
2 Medium with caduceus (3 in h) and Chinese (top), center upper arm. 3 in w at top. 1 in wide at bottom. 4 in h.

Hat:
1 Small with caduceus (2 in h) and Chinese (top), center. 2 in w at top. 1 in w at bottom. 2.5 in h.

Optional: Small reflective polygon on right vest pocket. It’s only worn within the hospital.

Here are the graphics I made. Click on the thumbnails for a larger file to download. Then scale the graphics to the sizes you need. Remember, these are not 100% accurate. I created these based on stills. Resourceful types will turn these into files to use with their embroidery machines. The rest of us cheapskates will either paint or sew the emblems by hand. Good luck with that.

1. Measure and cut the felt. Use the patch blank if needed. Simply resize in photo editing program and print.

2. For the caduceus, resize in your photo editing software and print the stencil. Cut out design with scissors or Exacto blade.

3. Place stencil where you want it on the patch. Begin with the SILVER paint to create the border of the caduceus. Fill in the staff with the SILVER.

4. While the paint is drying. Make a thin black border along the edge on the patch. You can do this with black thread if you’re embroidering.

5. Color in each snake: one WHITE, one BLACK.

6. Let dry.

7. The letters are hard to make crisp with the stencil. I free hand the characters in WHITE.

8. If you’re using thread or a thin tip, trace the lettering in SILVER. I was not able to do that on the small patches, but I did do it on the large back patch.

As you can see, the paint does not cover the felt completely. You will need to let it dry then cover it with a second thin coat of paint.

You’re done. Repeat the steps to complete the remaining patches. Remember, the front vest patch has no writing on it.

Last thing to do is make your ID badge, 2.5 in w x 3.5 in h. Here is a picture of my ID. Open your favorite photo editing software and put your headshot over my picture. You also need a name. Mal, Zoe, Jayne, and Wash used the names Miles Arixoen M.D. (blush), Q. Kumamotoa R.N., Kiki LaRue R.N., and Beauma Sclevages R.N. I don’t know what Simon’s badge said. You can use one of their fake names, chose a favorite character, a screen name, or pick a pun. I am Molly Qule R.N. My partner in crime is P. McNinja M.D. You can print this at home (heavy paper or card stock) if you have a color printer or take it to a copy shop. Cut to size and place in a badge holder (3w x 4h in).

Put it all together. Undershirt, coveralls, boots, hat, and vest. Place a few doodads on the vest and clip on your badge.

Now all you need is that elusive ambulance, two mostly dead bodies, or maybe a crazy sister and kick-ass doctor brother.

Firefly Costume: Ariel Tutorial
Part I | Part II | Part III

Today I’ll go over Part II of my Ariel tutorial. Part I can be found here.

Last week you found a few reference photos or stills that showed the entire outfit head to toe, back to front, right? Good.

Hopefully you have your coveralls. If you’re having trouble locating some, hit the surplus stores for old military ones like mine, try a feed or outdoors store, a nearby uniform supplier, or hit the internet. Too big isn’t a problem, you can always take it in. Like me!

First things first, wash them. Adjust the size to a comfortable fit. Fitted isn’t necessary since it will be covered by an EMS vest. *chalks, pins, and sews* I shortened the waist and crotch, took in the sides and legs, and resized the zipper.

Get your reflective tape ready. I used 1in tape. Why? Reflective fabric trim was hard to find locally. The tape was cheaper online than the trim was. This means laundering my costume is problematic but not impossible. I haven’t had the tape pull away from the material yet. *crosses fingers*

The stills show trim down each arm and around each leg just below the knee. One strip across each back pocket. I recommend at least three rolls (40in ea.) per costume to allow for placement errors (please measure to be sure). The vest should have all its reflective trim already on it. Pin and stitch the trim or mark the fabric and place the tape. It’s one of the easier steps.

Optional: There is additional reflective designs on the coveralls that are obscured by the vest. I chose not to do them since I planned to keep the vest on while in costume. One strip across each front chest pocket. One asterisk star with caduceus center on upper left chest.

Next up, modify the vest. You’ll have to examine the vest you chose. The one from Rothco I used needed to have the black netting removed from several areas. I also added black elastic to hold EMT implements. The ID badge will need a tab where it attaches. Take the netting you removed and fold it over and tack into place at the left shoulder.

That’s it for today. Depending on how short you are will determine how much sewing you needed to do. I hope you’re taller than me. I’m positively petite!

Next week we will make the patches and badges. I’ll share my scans and line art with you so you don’t have to worry about such things. You will need to take a headshot on light background with your makeup and hair styled similarly to how you plan to wear it in costume. Or be completely goofy, it’s your badge. This will need to be in digital format.

Next week: same bat-time, same bat-channel.

Continue reading… Part I | Part II | Part III

The first step in every costume endeavor is deciding who or what you want to be. Make a list of three or four ideas. Then narrow it down to one choice by looking at the time and skill level involved.

I wanted to do something recognizable to a particular fandom, but unique enough that there wouldn’t be 100 of us. ManWithPez suggested the Ariel EMTs from the series Firefly. An excellent choice. Not only is ‘Ariel’ a great episode, but the costumes require minimal sewing. And among the fans, high recognition.

The next step is finding reference pictures. I used screen captures from www.Still-flying.net. Comic books, trade books, stills, and screencaps are excellent reference sources.

Please choose your references carefully. The lighting from the episode was blue and antiseptic, giving the patches a purple hue. I had started making the patches when it occurred to me to check the companion books. The Firefly Companion showed one of the patches and it was more red than purple. I don’t know if they used the red or if it was a mock. Oh well. I can live with the purple.

The hard part was the lettering. From Firefly translation sites, I knew it meant ‘nurse’. But I still didn’t have a clean shot of the characters. I copied the fancy calligraphy version from the translation site then changed the font style in an editing program. From there I cleaned up the lines and played with the round letters until I felt they looked liked the ones on the uniforms. I’ll share that with you so you don’t have to worry about it.

The last step today is making a plan. Analyze your costume head to toe. Begin to make a list of supplies you’ll need. For the EMTs you’ll need:
Needle and thread: blue, black, grey.
Blue work coveralls
Silver reflective tape or stripping ~$2.50 a roll
Blue Medic vest ~$26
Work boots or tennis shoes (dark neutral color)
Blue cap
Blue undershirt
Felt 5 for $1: purple
Fabric paint*: black, grey/silver (reflective is important), and white/opal (reflective is important)
ID badge holder
Pen light 6 pack for $6
Misc medic gear
Walkie talkie or Radio
Ariel Ambulance
*I painted the patches, but you can embroider them if you prefer.

Gather your gear and I’ll see you next week for Part II.

Continue reading… Part I | Part II | Part III