Paper★Star

Cosplay construction notes on Naruga Kuruga quadsuit

October 10, 2010 at 3:08 PM | Posted in Cosplay, Events, Tutorial, Videogames | 1 Comment
Tags: cosplay, creature, expcon, mascot, monster hunter freedom unite, monster hunter portable 2nd g, nargacuga, narugakuruga, quadsuit, Tutorial

For this year’s Expcon cosplay I decided to make the monster Naruga Kuruga/Nargacuga from Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G/Monster Hunter Freedom Unite. Unfortunately, not many people knew what character I was supposed to be. Only very few were able to recognize me, and they wished they had a weapon to hunt down the monster. ._.

After attending ExpCon last year in 2009, I met a Kilala quadsuit cosplayer and thought it was so cool. After that, I wanted to make a quadsuit so I planned on Naruga Kuruga in June/July. I slowly started working on it in August, but started rushing to sew the pieces together in September. I believe the hardest part for me to sew were the upper arms and the crotch are; luckily none of the seams fell apart. Oh yes, I double stitched the sides, shoulders, and leg seams to reinforce it.

This was my very first attempt at a mascot/creature cosplay and it was extremely hot. But luckily the air conditioning at the convention made things bearable. That and the fans in my head. If only I knew how to use the Camelbak.
I would like to try and make another quadsuit again. Just need to patch up my dummy since it ripped in some places.

Well I copied this from my Facebook notes. This might help as some reference to others trying to make a quadsuit. I hope this helps others. I might upload sketch plans, in-progress shots, as well as pictures but I’m not so sure since my costume was very dark. If anyone has taken pictures of the Naruga Kuruga at Expcon 2010 on Saturday, can you please tell/show me? Thanks! ^_^

started: August 15, 2010 (planned out the costume around June/July)
finished: October 5, 2010

materials

* 3yd Shaggy Grizzly fur black
* 3yd Gator print black
* 2yd Blizzard fleece maroon
* 2yd Blizzard fleece black
* Shaggy black fur rug
* White fleece
* No. 02 Insect pins
* Fimo clay black
* Crayola Model Magic clay black
* Premo clay white
* Plastic mesh
* Plastic ornaments clear
* Elastic
* Fishing line
* Acrylic paints
* Spray paints
* PVC pipe
* Black Tool-Dip
* Black crafting wire
* Rope
* Wood
* Foam toy swords (pool toys)
* Fleece variety color (for sewing in the padding)
* Upholstery foam (1/2″, 1″,1.5″,2″)
* Pool noodle
* Hot glue
* Gorilla superglue
* Gorilla duct tape
* Velcro strips
* Outdoor screen
* Pocket fans
* Insect jar lids

Head

Different sizes of foam were laid on top of each other and glued to form a big block. The design was drawn on the foam and carved using scissors, an Xacto knife, and a boxcutter. The basic headshape is then glued onto a bike helmet. Ears were foam shapped then attached to the head with the help of pins and hot glue. The eyes were clear plastic ornaments that had one half of the sphere spraypainted yellow, then coated with varnish. The slit pupil was drawn in with Sharpie marker, then black fabric marker. Clear plastic cement was used to adhere the spheres together.

The head is covered with black grizzly fur, maroon fleece, and black shaggy fur rug. The bottom jaw is lined with maroon fleece while the upper part is covered in black cotton fabric. Black model magic clay was used to create the base of the beak, but was cracking when dried. Gorilla duct tape was used to strengthen the beak then covered in black satin fabric. Modpodge was used to bond the fabric to the clay. The outer beak was sprayed with black Tool-dip to provide strength and texture. Varnish was coated over the beak to seal it.

The teeth were made using Sculpey Premo white clay and attached by hotglue or Gorilla Superglue. The tongue is just white fleece that was colored with COPiC Sketch markers .

Jaw is attached with the help of plastic mesh on the sides which has brass fasteners to connect to the plastic mesh on the sides of the actual head. Elastic is attached to the brass fasteners and covered with Gorilla duct tape to prevent it from slipping off. 50Lb fishing line goes over the plastic mesh of the jaw and goes through a padded PVC pipe which will rest under my mouth and will move with my jaw (movements need to be exaggerated most of the time.)

Fans have been attached with the use of plastic insect jar lids which are located on the sides of the head. The 2 fans are attached by velcro and will provide airflow. Outdoor screens used for patios and wiindows are doubled in layer to provide vision below the jaw (through the neck). People may see me, but they probably cannot see the PVC pipe under my mouth when I make the head talk. The inside of the helmet has been padded with foam to provide a snug fit and red knit fabric was used to line the helmet. Black satin fabric lines the jaws edge (which would actually rub againist my forehead)

PVC stilts/forearms

Used PVC pipe as the main structure for the forearms. Used a dremel to drill in holes for where the paws will be. Additional holes were drilled to provide some sort of ventilation in the pipes. Foam was cut to a paw shape and attached to a wire with hot glue. Paw has been covered with black fleece and the forearm was padded with foam and batting laid on top of it.

Wings were constructed of toy foam swords that were attached to the pipe with floral wire. The wingblades were attached through use of a rope which goes through the PVC pipe. Without the wrist braces, the wings are somewhat moveable.

The wing membranes are maroon fleece while the wingblades consist of black fleece for the back and black gatorprint for the front.

Velcro strips have been added to the inside of the pipe so carpal tunnel wrist braces can be used. The forearm has been covered in black gatorprint and black fleece.

Claws are formed with black Fimo clay and attached with either hotglue or Gorilla glue.

Body

Used a quadsuit dummy to build off of. Used an oversized shirt and some track pants to use for the underbody/muscles of the suit. Foam was hotglued then secured with fleece/random fabric sewn into the shirt.

Used the duct tape pattern method, then switched to the trashbag method to draft out the pattern for the body.

Handstitched the suit then sewn with a sewing machine. The armpit & area behind the knees have cotton to allow for a breeze. Black gatorprint fabric is used for the bottom part of the forearms and the lower hind legs. Tail is inserted through a hole which will attach with the use of a belt.

Foot paws

Hotglued foam onto a pair of sneakers and carved it. Added high-loft batting to smooth out the shape. Used the trashbag pattern to create a pattern for the feet. Baste stitched the gatorprint, then sewed the pieces together. Some poly-fil stuffing was stuffed into the toes.

Toe claws are formed using black Fimo clay then attached using either hotglue or Gorilla superglue.

Tail

A pool noodle was cut to 4 ft in length and had slits cut on the underside. Fleece was glued in these slits to provide support. The end is tapered and has wire glued to add support to the tip of the tail.. Foam and batting are also used to pad the tip.

A wire has been curled up and inserted through the beginning of the tail which provides stability and a way to attach it with a belt. A carabiner was also attached so it can connect to the helmet to keep it from tipping forward too much. The tail has been covered in black gatorprint fabric.

Cooling

2 pocket fans are attached inside the head and will blow air towards & away from me. Neoprene was used to sew a case to hold a flexible ice pack. Space inside the chest padding will hold a b.y.o rambler bag. A Camelbak water bladder and additional flexible ice packs will be stored here. I might be able to store a fan inside one of the PVC stilts.

Reference links (thanks!)
-Four legs are good! quadsuit community
-Beastcub
-Beetlecat’s Toby the Targ quadsuit
-Tiger of the Wind Quadsuit
-Wolfbird‘s Dragon Tail WIP
-Savannah-lion-1‘s Quadsuit wolf Tutorial