#nerdvanauniverse

(Thanks and happy Halloween!)

I’d guess yes but I’d need to check the newsletter

Thank you if you share, and no problem if you don't!

Oh, man, if I KNEW of any tips I would absolutely share! The problem is I’ve gotten as far as “I want to do this” and “decent microphone + quiet place to work = necessary”

Like... that’s it.

Oh, and “get really lucky”

44. What do they need to learn?

Strange fey lying in the woods distributing magic is no basis for a boyfriend. healthy coping mechanisms.

52. From whom do they seek validation?

It’s this one, yes?

There are several ways you could go with this, ranging from all-fabric construction up to fiberglassing, depending on your comfort level with various techniques. Since you said this is your first costume, though, let’s aim for something a little simpler!

Weight is a big consideration with this kind of design, as carrying something heavy at the end of your arms can be very tiring! So before you begin, decide how much weight you are comfortable carrying on your arms. Some materials (e.g. papier-mache) can be quite heavy in large scale, while others (e.g. open-cell foam) may be lighter but more fragile.

Since I have some physical restrictions and tend to prioritize comfort in my costume construction, I would likely use aluminum wire or wire mesh to make a frame in the shape of the claw, then cover it in an EVA foam skin, and finish it with fabric, vinyl or thermoplastic (depending on what would look best with the rest of the costume materials). This reduces weight while still having the huge bulky cartoon look.

If you don’t mind your arms getting a bit toasty, or if you plan on doing a lot of horsing around or playacting in character and want your claws to be more impact-resistant, you could build the support structure out of upholstery foam (available at most fabric stores) instead. It’s equally lightweight, but much more crushable/less likely to become permanently dented if it bumps into something. 

With either material, the claw form could be sewn to a snug elastic tube that your arm slides into. (You could even use a full glove, if you want to have your fingers emerge from the inside of the claw so you still have some manual dexterity for, say, opening a bottle or picking something up.) Use a heavy-duty stretch fabric, rather than a thin stretch knit, to make sure it can support the weight of the claw. You may also want to make finger loops inside it to keep it from rotating on your arm. If your claw is very heavy, you might also want to use some buckles or Velcro straps around your arm to reinforce the attachment. (Make sure you place them where they won’t put too much pressure on the veins or tendons in your wrist!)

I would build the opposing piece to fit primarily on the outside of your thumb, for a wider range of motion. You can make a simple hinge using stretch fabric as the joint connector: