G.I. Joe: Cobra Baroness Armor/Costume

It's my favorite time of year again. This Halloween I worked to solve the problem on how to make the armor the Baroness wears from the old G.I. Joe toys and cartoon. I was able to do it without the use of messy, and time consuming fiberglass. This method uses craft foam which is not only cheap, but shocking versatile. Flimsy in nature, this Instructable will show you how to make it not only polished, but sturdy. As far as the time required to make this, You can make it start to finish in about a week. Most of that time is waiting for things to dry.

Step 1: Materials

(9) 12X18 Sheets of Craft Foam
(1) 12 oz bottle of Elmers Glue
(1) tube of red acrylic paint
(1) magic eraser sponge
(1) can of black spray paint
(1) can of clear coat
(1) beer bottle
1 inch elastic band (about 3-4 yards of it)
1 inch nylon band (about a yard of it)
(8) center release buckles
(2) parachute buckles
(20) velcro squares
scrim-like cloth (as much needed for the armor)

Tools needed:
a sewing machine
a glue gun with about 5 sticks of glue
a heat gun
a medium size paint brush
an Xacto knife and a pair of scissors.

Misc. Items to complete the costume not needed to DIY:
• Black athletic long-sleeve workout top and bottom
• Black leather/leather looking boots and gloves
• Glasses with clear lenses.
• A black long haired wig, if you don't already have long black hair.
• A big belt.

Comments

[SinAmos]

You guys are awesome. I wish I went the distance.

[gunshow]

where did you get the gun?

[Incrxtc]

I got the gun on Amazon.

[shipwreck54]

This looks awesome, and I would like to incorporate this method into one of my projects. I have a question though,

I was trying to mimic this chest piece using paper. I attached the bra piece to the stomach piece. I then shaped the bra piece. The curve I achieved for the bra piece was fine, but the stomach piece curved too much.

Am I to assume that since I was using paper, this happened? If I try this out with a foam piece, will the curvature be much less?

Also, for the shoulder piece, how did you fit the M onto the bra piece? After shape the bra piece, the dimensions are no longer the same, did you just use trial and error?

Any help would be great.

[Incrxtc]

There was a little bit of trial and error with this. You are correct, when you shape the bra piece, the curve will change. When I had the bra piece cut from paper, I taped it onto the shape I wanted it to be when finished. From there, I used the curve of the bottom of the bra piece, to match the stomach piece. This will be a much better match.

As for the shoulder piece, before cutting it out, I folded it in the middle to have a marker for a center line and aligned it up with the taped up bra piece. I held the paper up to a light source to draw on it lightly with a pencil, I drew the bottom pattern for the shoulder piece to seam up with the bra piece. Once I had that finished and cut out, I drew the top neck and arm curves freehand.

Hope this helps you out. If you have any additional questions, Let me know.

[shipwreck54]

Thanks for the quick reply.

That does clear some stuff up for me

After New Years, I am gonna give this a real try. I'll see if I need any help then.

Great work on the costume.

[ilpug]

Very good foam job! nice costume, and overall, great Instructable.

[rifakungen]

That looks really good! nice job! :)

[sixsixzero]

I was soooo glad when I discovered that foam! It made my voltron so much easier to detil and work with!! Good job once again.

[biomcanx]

Awesome costume and she looks like the Baroness!

[Penolopy Bulnick]

Awesome costume!