Robin boots - what a pain!
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Costume making, prop building and other '66 Bat-related arts and crafts. Great place for info and helpful tips. Proudly display your latest creation. Please keep it '66 Batman related otherwise it will be moved to OFF-TOPIC.
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Thank you!
Costume making, prop building and other '66 Bat-related arts and crafts. Great place for info and helpful tips. Proudly display your latest creation. Please keep it '66 Batman related otherwise it will be moved to OFF-TOPIC.
(NO SOLICITATION). If you're looking to BUY or SELL something, go to the MERCHANDISE SECTION. Even if you're trying to assemble a costume by buying or acquiring different crafted items rather than constructing or customizing them yourself, then it belongs in the MERCHANDISE SECTION. Don't even ask somebody if they're planning on selling something within this section.
Be sure to read the Board Rules as well before posting for the first time.
Thank you!
- rickrickrick
- Posts: 0
- Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2012 7:12 pm
Robin boots - what a pain!
Hello. Haven't been around much - life is a cruel taskmaster. But I thought I'd share this project.
My teenage daughter has taken an abrupt liking to the classic show, and decided she wanted a Burt Ward Robin costume for cons, etc! Needless to say, I whipped out Chuck and Lynne's patterns for the lion's share of the (ongoing) build, but had to deal with Robin's booties on my own.
What a pain in the butt! Such a weird shape. Not being a cobbler, crafting a custom pair of shoes from scratch was not an option, so I decided to build covers on top of shoes that fit her.
Honestly, it's one of the hardest costume crafts I've ever taken on!
I will spare you the boring details, and just share a few pix. I started by making prototypes from some cheap pink felt I had (holy contaminated cowl!) until I thought I had patterns that would work. The finished upper is made from faux suede fabric I inherited when a costume shop closed. The fins have a stiff leather core inside. Left is finished - now on to the right. Far from perfect, but hopefully will last through the rigors of a con or two. Cheers!
RRR
My teenage daughter has taken an abrupt liking to the classic show, and decided she wanted a Burt Ward Robin costume for cons, etc! Needless to say, I whipped out Chuck and Lynne's patterns for the lion's share of the (ongoing) build, but had to deal with Robin's booties on my own.
What a pain in the butt! Such a weird shape. Not being a cobbler, crafting a custom pair of shoes from scratch was not an option, so I decided to build covers on top of shoes that fit her.
Honestly, it's one of the hardest costume crafts I've ever taken on!
I will spare you the boring details, and just share a few pix. I started by making prototypes from some cheap pink felt I had (holy contaminated cowl!) until I thought I had patterns that would work. The finished upper is made from faux suede fabric I inherited when a costume shop closed. The fins have a stiff leather core inside. Left is finished - now on to the right. Far from perfect, but hopefully will last through the rigors of a con or two. Cheers!
RRR
The most important thing in life is to be yourself. Unless you can be Batman. Always be Batman.
Re: Robin boots - what a pain!
So cool! I love when someone or something and, in this case, your daughter motivates and gives you the reason AND permission to tackle a project like this! Way to go dad.
*See more 3D printed props @ https://www.instagram.com/saffledesigns/
- Ben Bentley
- Moderator
- Posts: 1300
- Joined: Fri Aug 17, 2012 2:31 pm
Re: Robin boots - what a pain!
Kudos for sticking with the project, that definitely is not a simple task!
Re: Robin boots - what a pain!
That looks great! Robin's boots are a weird design, but starting with shoes that fit her and then making covers for them is probably the best approach. Well done!
- Yellow Oval
- Posts: 0
- Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2012 8:57 am
Re: Robin boots - what a pain!
That was quite ingenious and ended up with a top-notch result. Very impressive!
"Hmmm... I don't like the twist this joke is taking. Let us away! Let us away!"
- Jimmy L. 66
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- Joined: Mon Nov 24, 2014 5:45 pm
Re: Robin boots - what a pain!
These look great Rick. I used Vans and faux leather to make my boys Robin shoes, but the suede looks much better. Well done.
- Therin of Andor
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Sat Feb 14, 2015 5:46 pm
Re: Robin boots - what a pain!
They look great!
When I was making my Robin costume in the early 80s, suede desert boots made a brief retro-fashion return -- in a multitude of crazy colours. In the 70s, desert boots usually only came in tan or black. I wandered past the display window for months, coveting them. I finally decided to buy a pair in green, initially disappointed that they were a size too small, but I was not going to be needing the laces, so the fit was perfect when wearing tights.
A leatherwear shop I knew was selling suede leather repair patches for the elbows of cardigans -- and they actually had a close match in green. Sandwiching and glueing pieces bendy pipe-cleaner chenille sticks between the pieces worked so well. A few stationery staples and I was done!
Custom suede Robin boots by Ian McLean, on Flickr
Not screen-accurate, but they got me through many public appearances as Robin.
Battalion by Ian McLean, on Flickr
When I was making my Robin costume in the early 80s, suede desert boots made a brief retro-fashion return -- in a multitude of crazy colours. In the 70s, desert boots usually only came in tan or black. I wandered past the display window for months, coveting them. I finally decided to buy a pair in green, initially disappointed that they were a size too small, but I was not going to be needing the laces, so the fit was perfect when wearing tights.
A leatherwear shop I knew was selling suede leather repair patches for the elbows of cardigans -- and they actually had a close match in green. Sandwiching and glueing pieces bendy pipe-cleaner chenille sticks between the pieces worked so well. A few stationery staples and I was done!
Custom suede Robin boots by Ian McLean, on Flickr
Not screen-accurate, but they got me through many public appearances as Robin.
Battalion by Ian McLean, on Flickr
"Holy nostalgia, Batman!"
Therin of Andor
(aka Ian McLean, from Sydney, Australia)
Therin of Andor
(aka Ian McLean, from Sydney, Australia)
- Chuck Williams
- Posts: 0
- Joined: Thu Aug 30, 2012 7:57 am
Re: Robin boots - what a pain!
We are going this route for the Robin boots too Rick.
I prefer the original Robin boots that don't have a toe cap and have a much flatter heel.
We took fin and foot print tracings of a couple of pairs of boots. One of Victor's and one of Burt's. Two very different sizes.
I worked with Isabel when we made the suits for the Hollywood Museum. Sent patterns and color reference and they did a great job.
The Duran's boot is too nicely made! It will last you a lifetime of conventions without a doubt. It's just a bit too beefy for me.
I prefer the original Robin boots that don't have a toe cap and have a much flatter heel.
We took fin and foot print tracings of a couple of pairs of boots. One of Victor's and one of Burt's. Two very different sizes.
I worked with Isabel when we made the suits for the Hollywood Museum. Sent patterns and color reference and they did a great job.
The Duran's boot is too nicely made! It will last you a lifetime of conventions without a doubt. It's just a bit too beefy for me.
Quick, Everyone, Flee for your lives, into the street!!!!
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http://www.etsy.com/shop/WilliamsStudio ... eller_info