+

[Neffy]

I'm sorry if this has been asked before, but I searched the forums and didn't find my specific question addressed. Anyway, I've never worked with liquid latex before, and I'd like to know if it is possible to mold liquid latex into long rope-like shapes and then attach them to a bodysuit. I know that technically you can paint the latex onto a bodysuit, but the designs on my costume need to be raised quite a bit and not flat (otherwise I would've just painted them on with fabric paint).

BTW, this is the costume I'm making:
http://www.soul-hunter.com/sailormoon/images/a_ann.gif
The latex would be used to construct the yellow parts wrapped around her leg and possibly on her jacket.

I figured I could just pour out the latex onto a tarp or plastic sheet and "paint" it into a thin strip, then add more coats after it dries to build it up a bit, then roll it up and stick it to itself to get a tube-like shape. Afterwards, I thought I could carefully attach it to my costume's bodysuit with more liquid latex... does anyone with experience with liquid latex think this would work, or is this just an incredibly stupid idea? (I need something stretchy and smooth since fabric stuffed with batting just looked ridiculously lumpy.) Help me, please. ;_;

EDIT: Since I plan on entering this costume in a contest someday, please don't give me alternate ideas as I kinda feel like that would be cheating. ^^; Just whether you think this latex idea would work or not and why, thank you!

[Koisnake]

I use liquid latex all the time for pawpads and such on fursuit mascots.

Your best bet is to make a mold and pour the latex in it, until it hardens. To tell the truth, I think you can think of something better to use than latex, but thats just me.

[Neffy]

Koisnake: Thank you for the quick reply. I know there probably is a less complicated and probably less expensive way to do it, but I feel like nothing else would look or move quite right. That's a good idea about the mold, though, that'd probably make things ten times easier. Do I have to make a mold out of plastic, or what? (I assume the latex would stick to foam and similar materials...)

[o01101011]

You can make molds for latex out of plaster, you just have to be very careful that you fill in any air bubbles in the mold before using the latex in it.

[Temperance]

I would carve the details out of foam, then paint a layer of latex over top of the foam. Latex can get expensive, the foam will add most of the shape, then the latex layer can seal and protect the foam.