Fellowship of the bodysuit-To be Shipped!!!

Second shipment estimated date: Tues Oct 26,2004 Please have your addresses to me for your neoprene shipment!

New thread for the :zam bodysuit fabric. This list is for those who are in the fellowship for the bulk fabric ordering for the body suit material of the zam outfit. For the newbs, we all believe that this suit was made from lycra and a foam backing, so we chose neoprene. The final material will be 6 yards (minus two inches) per person at 48-54" width, pantone 5135U(chosen from Dallas's trip to Australia at MOM viewing of the actual zam outfit displayed) with open cell neoprene (breathable) and blue nylon (to keep us from smelling like rubber) all laminated together. A sample of the prototype will be shipped to all those on the list. The material will come in a two months after the final order is placed. The seamstress will contact those interested in having thier bodysuits made by her, when the material is finished lamination. Many other questions can be answered by reading these webpages/threads in this order:
http://www.geocities.com/zamwiam/Zam...?1044422984438
http://www.geocities.com/zamwiam/Zam_Fabric2.html
http://tdh.prop-planet.com/viewtopic...c=316&forum=10
http://tdh.prop-planet.com/viewtopic.php?topic=2602&forum=10
Please check if your info is correct... This list is in no particular order.
The Fellowship of the bodysuit: :)=seamstress list :?=undesided on seamstress

1. 
   
   <LI>Zam I Am :)PAIDHappy Costumer
   
   <LI>Ragresen:)PAIDHappy Costumer
   
   <LI>Maulmaus:)PAID Fabric Sent
   
   <LI>Moncal:) PAID Suit sent
   
   <LI>JediNitess PAID Happy Costumer
   
   <LI>Cutest Sangirl PAID Happy Costumer
   
   <LI>The Wookie :)PAID Fabric Sent
   
   <LI>Dustin Crops Boy PAID Happy Costumer
   
   <LI>Zamsara :)PAID Fabric Sent
   
   <LI>Dark Trooper:)PAID Fabric Sent
   
   <LI>Sith_Camaro PAID Happy Costumer
   
   <LI>Lady Zam:)PAID Happy Costumer
   
   <LI>Gaeriel PAIDApril Happy Costumer
   
   <LI>surlygirlie PAID Happy Costumer
   
   <LI>Fettsbounty PAID(lycra only) Happy Costumer

Quite a list eh? Impressive!
First shipment, April 19,2003.
Second Shipment Tues Oct 26,2004.

Excellent :D

Look forward to the prototype
Great work zam i am!!

Woohoo! I should recieve a call back about the dyeing tomorrow or Thursday for the lab dip to see if this color matches DCB's descriptions. Thanks for the compliments y'all. This fellowship rocks! Long live the Clawdite Club! Can you tell, I'm quietly excited (at my weee little desk) at work?

Very cool!!! :D :D This is getting exciting now!!!!

*Decides more caffeine is not necessary now! ;) *

I want to say thanks, too, Zam I Am, for all the work you've put into this - great job. I'm sure it's been frustrating at times, but it really looks like we're getting somewhere now!

Check up top, please see if your info is correct :) or not...

Fellowship of the bodysuit...*chuckles*...very nice.

Thanks again for all your hard work Zam I Am!

**GULP** That's quite a bit per person. C'MON PEOPLE! JOIN IN! WE NEED MORE ZAMS!

I need a PM too to find out how much this outfit is going to cost to have a seamstress work on it please. Thanks! Is this stuff workable to sew with a home sewing machine?

Woohoo! they are sending me the lab dips today! (I am trying to save us money...)I chose snail mail to get the cost lower :) They will be sending me 5 swatches, which I will post when I get them. (then I will send them to Dallas for confirmation.) :cheers

Great, can't wait to see what you get!

EEEEKK!! I'm so excited I feel queezy. ;) :D

*takes a deep breath*

Ooooh! Will there be another "run" sometime after this one? I'd have you put me on the list now, but I don't have the cash right at the moment :doh

-Austin

No, after all this trouble, I doubt I will make another "run." I am really sorry Austin. If like 9 or more people said, please!!! then maybe. But a big NO otherwise.


EDIT** A word to those who are doing the suit themselves, this is a four-way stretch material. Make sure to cut the pattern so that the top portion of the lycra that hangs over,is used as the edge of the top of your pants and the bottom of the crop top in order to prevent your suit from looking way too bulky on the edges.

Yes... The Fellowship.

"You have my Sewing Machine."
"...And my scissors!"
"...And my fabric!"

hehehe...

I'm definetly interested in ordering the fabric, but will it cost more to send it all the way to Holland? And have you got a pic of the color of the fabric? It's a lot of money so I want to be sure it looks good. A friend of mine here in Holland is also interested, but I won't see him until next week. So I'm not sure yet if I want to order it.

Yep it will cost more to ship to holland. I don't know how much, as I would have to stop by the post office and check. If you want special shipping, like federal express, then that would cost whatever their rate charges are. I don't know what the currency conversion would be for the Euro vs. american money either. I only accept american funds. I can only fit one more person on the list. I am really sorry, but I can't fit anymore than just one person for that fabric order. Oh, and the color hasn't arrived yet, but it will be dyed to the pantone color of the Magic of Myth Zam costume in Austrailia.

Can you tell I've never shipped overseas before? Hehe..Someone help me here.

It shouldn't be extremely expensive to ship overseas. You can look on USPS website for overseas shipping rates and get an idea. USPS global express is usually what I do. I think it's just a bit more than going by boat and it's much much quicker.

It really isn't too bad shipping items overseas (I lived in Germany for 5 years so I've been there and done that! ;) )

You'll need to fill out a US custom's form - and considering how much the fabric will cost I would get extra insurance on it.

It's pretty much a toss-up between UPS and US AirMail though Airmail would be slightly quicker. These are probably the cheapest ways to go unless you want to go surface (4-6 weeks).

where do you get US custom's forms--(I don't get taxed do I?) and does anyone know if there is a surcharge from your bank to exchange currency?

Actually, Gaereil, if you have the equivalent of a cashier's check over there and send it in the form of USA currency(when the time comes, meaning don't send it yet), that would be better, cause I hope everyone's money clears the same week so that I can purchase the fabric in a speedy timeframe.

My seamstress has February free, but March she's moving to a storefront location. Want to get in as many suits as possible during Feb.

Here are the color matches that the dyeing company sent, that I will send to Dallas for his approval. :D After his approval/disapproval, I will send the approved "lettered" colored lycra to the neoprene company to laminate for the prototype.

http://www.printroom.com/ViewAlbum.a...lbum_id=112954

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zam i am wrote:
where do you get US custom's forms--(I don't get taxed do I?) and does anyone know if there is a surcharge from your bank to exchange currency?

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Customs forms are available wherever you mail from - PO or UPS. As far as getting &#36;&#36;&#36; from there to here... Oi!!!! You can do a bank transfer in US &#36;&#36;, they usually charge a percent of the amount. You might also consider an AMEX Traveler's Check as they are of course available in Europe. I would suggest talking to your bank though before starting anything, see what they suggest.

Okay THAT IS KICK A&#36;&#36;! That is so awesome! I'm so glad I got on board this.

Zam i am are you sure that is the right color, because I got the feeling that it's a little bit more pink, here, this is the pic that I've been looking at.
[img]http://photo.msn.s8.com/MS8zLzEwNDMxNTg1OTEvMS80MDE4LzE1NS8zMi9ldk80eV8yUU R1WUlrdWV3Z0dQYzZ3/cfed56ed927356379f9b1aea1ee197b2/clbk=HcZNnT9kkUgzehdUTNNMSgDkBvEUZ7AXjsxNu5Sq1SEK1 KP*VMf8*JE!F*d8QlnFSvtHGOkvFxY&#36;/jpg.jpg[/img]

That is a nice shot for reference of the over all costume. Only problem is the lighting they used when takeing the shot discolored most of the colors. Our esteemed Forum Moderator went all the way to Australia to see the actualy costume when it was on display for the Myth of the Magic tour. It was only shown at the Australia location and he took pictures of the costume and also panatones so we could match up the colors. We are positive on what the color is thanks to Dustin Crops Boy.

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niennumb1 wrote:
Okay THAT IS KICK A&#36;&#36;! That is so awesome! I'm so glad I got on board this.

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I agree whole heartedly! :D

Wow, changing to breathable neoprene, causes a different lamination process. There will now be more lycra material used for sewing the top edge of the pants and underside of the crop top, because lycra will now be hanging off of both edges of the width of the roll of neoprene.
Our fellowship is now gonna be the zam armada... hehe Welcome aboard Qui-Gon_Ludo! :)

Thank you Zam I am!!! You have been very helpfull through PMs, and I am so glad someone did so much to get an accurate material for the Zam ccostume. That really was the one part that was scaring me, but now the problem seems solved :)

List has been edited to reflect how people signed up, and will also dictate the order suits will be made by the seamstress if she decides to cut out the pattern one by one.

Welp, the neo company just shipped me a large sample of open cell neoprene. My seamstress will be able to get in more neoprene practice before she gets the real material :) yeh, anything to make the suit more accurate :)

EDIT**WOW!, I just talked to the neoprene co. the prototype will have one week turn around from the day they recieve the dyed lycra. So once Dallas gives me an ok on color, we have a go for the prototype and it will be sent back in a week. Then if everything turns out good with the lamination, I will be asking for money to put in the order. But for the manufacture of the BULK order, it has a one MONTH turn around time. So, our suits won't be worked on by the seamstress until sometime in mid-March. Just letting you all know ahead of time, this one is gonna be a long process and thanks for being patient.

Not a problem... as long as it's done before Dragon*Con - I'll be happy! :D :D Besides...this gives me a bit longer on that diet! ;)

Please, just give a heads-up on when you'll need the money - I have to transfer the &#36;&#36;&#36; from my bank and that takes about 3-4 work days to complete! Thanks! :)

That's all good, gives me more time to save some &#36;&#36;&#36; :)

I am anxious for everyone to transfer the money too,so we can start the order already, but gotta wait until I get the prototype back without lamination problems and so that I can give you all a final price figure. We have successfully lowered the amount that it costs per person close to &#36;200.00, but I need for them to ship the finished prototype to me before we can get some exacting figures. Do you want me to start collecting money before or after I send you all samples of the prototype? Once I recieve a hitch free prototype, I will be accepting &#36;&#36; via paypal. zamiam@comcast.net. Or, check. Pm me and I will give you my address. I want you to be completely satisfied with the prototype so that you "know" how the material will turn out. The last several people on the list have not had a chance to feel and see option #2. And no one has really "seen" the pantone color on the neoprene just yet either. Still waiting on the colors to arrive at Dallas' doorstep so he can say "ok" at this point. But I do realize, the sooner I start collecting the dough, the faster we can put the big order in. The absolute last day for people to join the "fellowship" is a Jan 27th.

"That's all good, gives me more time to save some &#36;&#36;&#36;"

Exactly. ;) Thanks for the update, zam I am.

Wonderful news!!

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zam i am wrote:
Do you want me to start collecting money before or after I send you all samples of the prototype?

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Personally, I'll send the money once you know the final figure and before I see the sample, but I'd still like a sample. :) I don't care if the color is "off" by a little or the fabric is not the exact same... I'm not backing out now. :D

I'm PMing you. :)

Same here, as soon as you have a final price, i'll send you the money :)

I'll do the same. If you come up with a final price, I should be ready.

I suppose it could depend on how you need to get things taken care of on your end. If or when you need some funds to get the project taken care.


Cal

i got it i got it i got it!!!!

sample "D" is PERFECT!!!! :D

Woohoo!!!! Call is made to the dyeing company! I will fax the confirmation right now. D !!!!
http://www.geocities.com/zamwiam/lab_dips.JPG

WOOOHOOO!!!!!! :D :cheering Yay!!!

One small step for zam, one LARGE step for clawdite kind... LOL :lol Ok ok, we're through one hump. Gotsta get the prototype. The dyeing company said that they would send it to the neo company wed or thurs. So a week and two days after the 29th or 30th, I should have the prototype. Someone gimme a high five! Dynomite! So final cost will be given at the earliest, the 6th of Feb. Then I will try to send to all yalls the prototype sample with a welt seam. :) (I'm still praying that lamination goes on without a hitch. ) Need the zam blessings and mojo goin...zam i am does the safety dance...

EDIT** If you cannot get &#36;200-250 by Feb 3rd, PLEASE let me know, because it will affect everyone else's cost for the suit when it comes time to order. The &#36;200-250 includes shipping. I cannot order unless EVERYONE on the list pays me, and everything clears my bank. I can only wish that I were rich enuff to prepay for everything but I can't. EDIT again 1/30** But because several people have signed up, the cost has lowered to about &#36;210. I cannot give a final quote until about the 6th of Feb. If someone drops off the list, then the price will go up.If someone signs on, it might drop a little.

Roger that! :D

Will have money paid via PayPal by 03 Feb! :D

Thanks again zam i am... for all your work! :D

Wait zam scout! I shouldn't have quoted so soon about dates, I knew this would happen. Grrr. I just meant that Feb 3rd is an approximate date. I THINK the prototype will arrive then, but don't know. I DON"T want you guys to pay me &#36;200 if something bad happens or, if something happens to the fellowship. I hate to say it, but if someone drops off, then the price will go up. That's why I have been giving &#36;200-&#36;250 estimates all along. I want for those who are queesy about paying up to make a final decision around when I get the prototype, so I can give a final price quote. I thought everyone would be solid in their decision and &#36; probs by the time I recieve the prototype and post pics of it on the board. If anyone doesn't think that they can make that decision until they recieve a prototype in their hand, that's fine, it would delay the shipment another week and a half to two weeks. But at the same time, I don't think it's fair for people who have been waiting since August to wait another 3 weeks for someone to decide and pay up, further delaying shipment of their material two months out. So, just please have about &#36;200-&#36;250 ready so that when I have the prototype, I can get this order over with...

No worries! :D

Just making sure I have the &#36;&#36;&#36; in the right place at the right time... that is all!

Yup, same here!! Well, I already have the money in fact... :)

Roger, roger.

I have my money ready. :D

Thanks, yous guys and gals are the greatest. Some people are confused about seamstress costs and such. I don't need a definate answer on that until after the HUGE order comes in.Thats like over a month away. And, by then you will have had a sample of the prototype to test on in case you want to try sewing it yourself. All is good in the land of Zam. :D

Edit** Just got a call from the dyeing company, the dyed sample is now being shipped today 1/28/03 to the Neoprene company for lamination for the prototype.

money is ready on my end as well :)

Hopefully this stuff breathes very well. While something may e breathABLE, doesn't necessarily mean it breathes well. ;)

My funds are available too. :)

Just letting you all about the disclaimers of the neoprene company. This could mean not EXACTLY six yards per person, if there are defects, but hopefully, everything will be ok.

From the neoprene CO.: You must remember that we do hundreds of yards per day and most runs are of the same foam/fabric combination for large jobs. By running a small job there needs to be a header. Also, do not discount the fact that there is always a
possibility of minor defects in the foam or fabric. Industry standard allows the following:

QUALITY STANDARDS for FABRIC LAMINATES
CONTINUOUS ROLL GOODS:
*50 foot roll laminates or their multiples will be considered first quality
with the below minor defects excepted:
¨ Up to five (5) minor irregular areas in total for two sides per 50 foot
lineal length
¨ One fabric splice or run out per 50 foot lineal length
¨ Any type of irregularities that lie outside the stated minimum tolerances
for width or length
¨ Defect areas may vary in size, but will be counted as one flag
The one exception is should the defect area create a significant loss of
yield:
Example: The defect area is 5% or more of the rolls square footage
¨ Set lines and compressions caused by storage, handling, or shipping are
not classified as defects
unless obvious carelessness or improper procedures are indicated
¨ Irregularities include
q Holes in the rubber
q Rough edge trim
q Adhesive spots
q Fabric wrinkles
q Missing thread ends
q Barre
q Dye spots
q Dirt, grease, etc.

As you know, we have committed that we will run this order continuous to an
extent. It may get too large to be handled and may need to be run in
smaller lengths.

Edit** I thought we would be at &#36;200 per person, but because of header material, the price went up a little. Just wanted to let you know that the price range is still between the &#36;200-&#36;250 mark. I am desperately seeing how I can cut costs, I even thought maybe I could ride to the Neoprene company and save on shipping, but that wouldn't work. The quote will definately be after the prototype is done. Thanks for your patience.

okey dokey! :D

Any fabric takers still? I have a slot left on the fellowship list. I thought that there were enuff people, to drive down the cost, but one more person would make the price feel better to the rest of us :D (The header price is costing more than I thought.) Anyone? anyone? bueller, bueller?

Perhaps you could do a dutch auction over on ebay? Get a set price of &#36;200, let them know what is going on, and maybe we'll get a few more takers?
Or you could go with a safer estimate of &#36;250, or ever &#36;275 and let them know that the final cost may be less. Or don't and just make a little profit for all your hard work! ;)

Too much hassle, cause the price varies and may adjust between now and then. I'll try the RPF. And there are two people that I am going to ask before I take a stab at ebay. I haven't sold anything on ebay as of yet, so I don't have the time to learn their whole "system" right now.

I Ebay all the time. It's great!

Maybe the Replica Prop Forums? People got &#36;&#36; to blow there.

Also, I hope these possible defects aren't in the final fabric we get. This would suck for how much it's costing. Also, isn't this material gonna be hot even though it's breathable? That's a big concern and it worries me.

This will be no worse than wearing trooper armor. I have walked on land in a black 3mm wetsuit for 3 or 4 hours strait and nevere got really uncomfortable beyond haveing to use the restroom. The neoprene this will be made of is a lot thinner and more breathable so it will be much more comfortable.

I've already posted to Watto's Junkard on the RPF. No takers just yet.

I will do the same as well so that there's two posts. I'll advertise as best as I can.

Just realized, I needed to update the width, it should be at 52" going from closed cell to open cell, it changed the width of the fabric.
Edit** I just called the neoprene co again today. Hope that she doesn't totally say no to the whole project... she has been threatening to cut me off. Anycow, I think she will call back today. I had put in a request, hopefully I can minimize cost damages without adding another person on the list. Hopefully she can grant my wish. Shaving off 2' of the neoprene may save everyone money. We'll see.

Cut us off!?!? :suprise :( >:

Geez...she's not a very good buisness woman. Here we are begging for them to take our money for the material and they threaten to not do it!? :(

I am trying to juggle one person's financial dismay (that person would opt out if it got too close to &#36;250) and the neoprene costs. But everything seems to have worked itself out. The neoprene company has agreed to my sugestion, and the yardage for everyone will be short about two inchess. And, we will save on some cash.

If I come up 2" short with what I need, I'm going to look for someone on here's scrap! :lol

keep trying, Zam. We have faith in you. I believe we'll all come out okay. This thing is constantly changing! These people are just not being to nice to you, are they? Will cutting 2' off the fabric be sacrificing a whole lot? is that 2"x6 yards to equal 2' total?

Man they need to cut you a deal. This is ridiculous how they're treating you.

Just so you all know, I won't be ashamed to say that I am the one person who may opt out if it gets to be too much here that Zam mentioned. I know it would mean your guys' price going up a bit, but I can't buy something if I don't have the money, right? &#36;225 is &#36;225, and not something a normally have readily available and I cut up all my credit cards a month ago :(. On a very positive note I'm pretty confident that this will all work out though. I don't get why they have such a problem taking people's money to get this sucker made! I'm doing my best folks and I truly don't wanna back out. I want the good stuff too, but I gotta make sure the price stays reasonable (even &#36;150 is high, but this is custom stuff!) or I just can't realistically do it. I've been selling things for the past couple months to save up and I'm doing okay, so don't panic yet! :)

Sith Camaro, don't worry, the width should compensate for that. Hey, since it's open cell, width is at 54" now. Niennumb, the price has backed down. When I talked it over with the neoprene company, this works out for the best.

I had to recalculate this stupid thing on the excel spreadsheets like a million times to make this work out, and what I talked over with the neoprene company today actually works out for the best. Cause, otherwize, I would realistically have to add at least two more people. See, industry standard sheets of manufactured neoprene comes in sheets, very LARGE sheets. 50 ft to be exact. That's close but not enuff to fill three people's outfits. So, it's better loosing 2 inches per person than to realistically buy a whole other sheet of the stuff PLUS the dyed lycra to boot. I think that is what the neoprene lady was trying to say...she just came accross wrong. (Good thing I recalculated and re-asked.) Plus, adding more people would be a shipping nightmare for me. UPS doesnt ship over 150 lbs. The request I made today will work for the best. See, all is good now in the land of zam... I am just crossing my fingers that the neoprene lady gets the lycra and gives me a one week turn around. No word about recieving it has come yet. Hopefully tomorrow she will give me a :thumbsup for the prototype going through the lamination process. :D

YES, ZAM!!!! YOU GO, GIRL!!!! Any idea on what our possible rough costs have dropped to now?

This is great!! Good job!

Ya, know, I think I will wait till when the prototype will come in like I said in the first post. Cause I don't need anymore emotional rollercoasters and nightmares about price. Just realize I will do my best to keep it between the &#36;200-&#36;250 and right now, it's closer to the lower end of the money spectrum. ;)

You go girl! :cheering

Can I give you a big hug if you go to Dragon*Con? :D

Massive Clawdite Club GROUP hug!!!!
:D
Ok ok, zam i am calms down and realizes, it's just a job... HEHE just kidding.. But! gotta stay the course and keep those emotions intact, cause prototype still isn't done yet. Zam I am gets into pensive mode again...

Edit**Just got an email from the neoprene company, she just got it today and will start lamination of the prototype next week. The >: @&#36;!&#36;@% dyeing company shipped it without the roll that it was on! (I paid for that..>:) Now, the neo company has to re-roll my fabric. GRRR. I will make sure that will NOT happen again. Zam prays and hopes she doesn't get surcharged...I am going to have a HUGE talk with the dyeing company.

Zam I Am breathes deeply and tries to go to her "happy place" :lol Well, live and learn I guess...

Well, I talked to the neoprene company, they have to lay it flat for the fabric to relax, because the dyeing company shipped it all folded in a box. We definately don't want wrinkles in our prototype before lamination. She was nice about it (a little aggrevated, as was I, cause they have to put more time and effort into this little prototype order), but I was glad I don't have to call the dyeing company to reship the roll. But I will make sure for the BIG order, that it will be on a Roll. Looks like I should have the prototype next week sometime.

folded up!? Jeez!!! :suprise

Next week ya say? WOOHOO!!

Ya know... those people are aggravated? They should shut their traps and do their job! They're doing a &#36;&#36;&#36; job here and they should be treating you with some respect. There's a lot of money on this and they really need to simmer. What a bunch or jerks, man. I hope this gets done soon. these people sound like they're there to make a quick buck.

SHUT YOUR TRAPS AND DO YOUR WORK!

Okay I'm done venting at them... :)

The place where I have been hosting my pics will not allow me to host from their site anymore (printroom.com). So, I will put in hyperlinks to all of them until I figure out how to set up a website to hold all my pics. Sorry about all the red x boxes :(

Well, I figured out how to make a webpage off of Yahoo.com
Check it out...
http://www.geocities.com/zamwiam/Zam...?1044422984438

:lol But I still can't figure out how to post the darned image so that it pops up here. Go figure. :lol :lol

I've heard that if you rename the file something.txt and then link to it with the image tags [ image ] somthing.txt [ /image ] that it gets around geocities' remote linking policy, but I have never tried it myself.

-cris

Cool! it works! It just doesn't work when i have used the site too much. :) Meesa happy.
Edit** I figured the darn thing out...(You can check out letter D color up top)I can post pics now, just realize that using freeware doesn't allow you easy priveledges. So, you guys might get intermittant red x's (sorry). But it shouldn't happen too often (i hope). :)

OK! Just talked to the neoprene company. They are going to do a thinner neoprene for us! It will be a different color (flesh tone), AND the backing of it will be royal blue (cheapest nylon)But! our lycra will be on top of the flesh tone, and hang over, so that we have that extra width. If we have a black nylon, then we would loose width. Black would make us go from 52" to 44" width. That's an extra 8 inches lost of fabric if we went with black nylon backing. Please let me know what you all think about these changes. Hopefully I will be able to post a pic for how this works. (I have no graphic skills.) She said that I should be able to recieve the prototype on Feb 14th. Sorry for the long wait and thanks for saving up.

Doesn't matter to me, since you won't actually see the inside.
:)

Cool... so we can turn it inside out for those nifty blue-screen shots - right!?!?!?!?! :D :D :D


I don't care what color it is inside either...

Looks like things are working out though *crosses fingers* Great!

:lol you are too fuuunnnyyy! :lol cackles.

This is how the fabric should be like unless the neoprene rep says different. Not too shabby drawing eh? My purple in the drawing unfortunately is not pantone 5135u :lol
http://www.geocities.com/zamwiam/Fabric.jpg

I agree with MaulMaus and SithCamero. :)

By the way, for those interested in doing the sewing themselves, if you can get hold of an industrial machine, it is better, because of the way the neoprene sews, my seamstress said that the pressure foot of a home sewing machine makes two neoprene strips to sew at different rates, causing one to be longer than the other one. And, when she is done the pattern, she is willing to sell it.

I was talking with my mom and I asked her if she knew what a welt seam was. She said she didn't and wanted to know if the term was sometimes called something else.

It's just called a welt seam. I think on an old thread, there was something about a flat feld welt seam and it had links about it but it's just a regular welt seam. I can't describe it to ya. But, when I get the prototype, I will have my seamstress put a welt seam in it and then send it off to yall.

Quote:

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Quote:This is the email message from the neoprene company:
Hello,
Production ran your sample yesterday and it is currently curing. The purple
lycra sample from you only measured 54". The composite does not have much
material hanging over. Overall, the material looks good despite that the
purple lycra came all bunched up in a box. We will check the bond later
today and determine if it is ready to ship. The bond looked good already
right after it was fiberized but it must cure before shipping. I will
contact you later with the result of the inspection.
Thanks!

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This is my response:

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Quote:
Thank you for the update. I am really dissappointed that the lycra company exaggerated the width of the fabric. This causes problems with sewing the top edge of the fabric. This might cause the bulk order to change. We really need to have at least two inches of lycra hanging over the edges of the neoprene and nylon (on both sides) for the pants edge to work. At least this didn't happen on the larger order. I asked the lycra company twice about the width. I am crossing my fingers, and hoping that it cures well.
Thanks,
Yvonne

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If it doesn't work out where we have at least two to four inches of lycra per side of the edge of the neoprene, we might wind up getting lesser width neoprene and lesser width nylon backing. Sorry all, but it would be 54" lycra minus whatever neoprene to match the nylon width backing. We might have to go back with the black nylon at 44" width. Lemme see what she comes up with. But no worries, this should be still enough fabric per suit. My seamstress' yardage per person figure was to make sure that this would work.

i honestly don't see a big deal on the edge... maybe it's just me - but the thickness samples you sent me a while back didn't seem THAT thick... like so thick that it couldn't be folded over and sewn easily. I don't think it'll be terribly bulky either... (besides - the belt will cover most of that)

I will talk to the neoprene company, and see if maybe they can just cut down the nylon and neoprene so that it's at 50" inch width. That way it's not 44", and we will have some lycra hanging over. I can show you a pic of me bending and sewing a piece of the old prototype of this stuff, it doesn't fold like thin cotton, it creates a loop, and doesn't flatten.
It's the pic all the way on the bottom.
http://www.geocities.com/zamwiam/Pattern_questions.html
Click on the pic to enlarge, you can see the welt seam too.

Zam I am when you sew a seam as close as I think your seamtress will be it will lay a lot flatter than you think. Also if you wish to flatten neoprene just place it between to flat surfaces and put some weight on it for a day or two. My wet suit actually has wrinkes from where it got done that way by accident. So ladies and guys keep that in mind. Do not leave the suit in a folded manor for storage.

You could flatten the top with a book, but it's a lot easier to just have that extra lycra up top and just sew that down. You gotta remember, she would have to sew over that welt seam too, and if you look in MOM pics, it's one inch from the top to where the one stitch is. That's a lot of bulkyness to sew down if it were all neoprene too. I didn't see any other stitching to make the top edge "thin". I don't think that wet suits usu. have welt seams either. I also have the option of stretching out the lycra a little more, but lemme talk it out with the neoprene lady, if the stretching doesn't affect the lamination process, then we might be able to see if the dyeing company can give us a two inch width stretch before shipping it out to the neoprene company for final lamination.

If there is extra fabric to fold over.... that means whomever gets the fabric off the ends of the roll will get three edges of extra fabric while those that get a slice from the middle will only get two.

And I'm trying to visualize how a pattern can be cut so that the extra fabric can be looped over for all the edges of the shirt and pants.. but I just can't see it. It seems that some parts of the costume you are going to have to fold the neoprene over anyway.

there is TOO a stitch on the very top of the pants... look here:
http://zam-wesell.com/images/phmsamp5.jpg

ahhhh ahahahaghghgh (Zam get shot in the neck) Ya got me! Hehe. Thanks I didn't see the top seam before. I only saw the seam one inch down from the waist line. I am glad you noticed the top stitch. Dat's cool. If you want the neoprene to go all the way to the edges, that works too. No prob. I just thought sewing the lycra over would be easier to sew for the top edge of the pants, cause next to the welt seam, you'd be dealing with three/four pieces to sew through. I just thought the thinner up top of the pants would be the better, cause you want the pants to be tight if there are no zippers and just suspenders. Zippers are a REAL pain, cause the fabric doesn't stay even when sewn together. One piece starts getting larger than the other.

Oh, and cutie- yeah, you're right about that, that's why I said just the top of the pants and maybe the bottom edge of the crop top, cause, the vest/boots etc, cover everything else.

agreed - it would be easier to sew non-neoprened fabric... but it's NOT crucial :)

Sorry, the neoprene is still cureing, therefore, it's not in my clutches yet. Still waiting.... I should recieve it early next week.
The dyeing company did something to the lycra giving us this width problem. I called the lycra company and they said the manufacturer only makes it in 60" width. So, someone shaved off six inches off the width or shrank it or something. The dyeing company denies it. I just wish the dyeing co. would give me a break and communicate better with their coworkers. Then she said for the bulk order, if I give it to her in 60" she will send it in 60" width. That scares me, because if the lycra actually did shrank (and she's not letting me know,)and then she re-stretches it, then it could cause neoprene lamination problems. Hopefully, I will be able to talk to her tomorrow. (Got in trouble with my boss for making all these non-business related usage of the internet and phone)
So, I will update on friday night when i get a chance on all these phone calls.

Sounds good.
Man, it also sounds like you're going through a lot of Hell to get this project accomplished both with these fabric companies giving you flack and now you're getting in trouble at work. Well, I'm here to give you a big THANK YOU for doing all this. It'll be good for you when you can move on to something else. I don't know if I can but if you think of anything I can do to help you out or you need a favor with something, let me know!

Good luck..

Cal

Tanks yall fer yer support ;) Just want this dyeing company to be straight with me. I think she got defensive when I told her to ship my stuff on a roll instead of wrinkled in a tiny box. ?Go figure? she asked me to prove that it was at 60" width when she got it..., so that's why I am going to try asking her again today (no boss at lunch time permitting), when she isn't so perturbed.
New job in the music industry in Maryland would be nice :) Or, something without internet/email restrictions. LOL No seriously, just letting you guys know what's happening. Working with textile manufacturers, you need to be precise about what you want and have to ask the right questions. It's hard never knowing what to ask first, so I wind up with a half/A&#36;&#36; prototype. I will know better for the real stuff. Good thing we did do the prototype first, we could have had a really screwed up the order. Zam on it! hehe

Edit** I talked to the manager of the dyeing company (the other girl didn't know the dyeing process so she gave me false info), he told me if the lycra manufacturer didn't finish it properly, then shrinking would happen. The dyeing company probably caused it to shrink again. (it's strange, because nylon lycra doesn't usu. shrink that much.) Anyways, I know for a fact it was 60" lycra and after the dyeing co. got through with it, it shrank to 54". I will have the dyeing company measure the bulk lycra width before and after they dye the fabric. Then I will have the neoprene company cut the fabric according to the width of the "shrunken" lycra. I wanna try to get two inches of lycra laying over on each side for cutting out the pants tops. Anyone for, or against this trimming of neoprene and/or nylon, to have some lycra hanging over on the edges?

EDIT** #2 Sorry all, we are snowed in over here,probably 3 feet, they shut down everything, so there is no chance I will be recieving the prototype anytime today.

EDIT #3 Sorry all AGAIN!, but I may not see the prototype till sometime next week 2/24-2/26 STUPID UPS!!! They keep on leaving my package at the center and I had my husband go over there to pick it up today, and they said they are so backed logged from the snow, they wouldn't even know where to look for it at the center. They said hopefully Monday, but they won't be smooth sailing till wednesday. Man, what a mess. Thank you all for being so patient.

Well... that's what you get for living back east! ;) *opens window for some fresh air*

Seriously... don't worry about it zam i am... :D

I will be posting pics and prices late tonite, as the fabric arrived, but I won't get home till really late for inspection. Please paypal me at ZamIAm@comcast.net If you can't paypal me and need to send me a check in the mail, please PM me, I will have some questions for you and also so that I can give you my address. I will take the prototype to a seamstress so she can put a welt seam in it then send swatches to you all.

Edit** Horray! :cheers I got the fabric in my clutches! Preliminary look see, here are the pics, and prices are &#36;220.00.
http://www.geocities.com/zamwiam/Zam_Fabric2.html

Yowsa, looks very nice!

Great! I'll send you a pm regarding payment.

I'm curious. How is the color in person? It looks pretty blue to me and I'm not meaning the back side :D

thanks


cal

The last pic is a similar to the one of her studio pics color. Not blue at all. My camera settings are off. Sorry. Just realize that the color is a lot more lavender mauve/ plum than what the pics show.
The lab dips pic between color c and d is a better color representation on the previous page of what it looks like in person:
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/zamiam/Zam_Fabric.html As soon as my seamstress will put a welt seam in the fabric, I will be mailing you all samples. The great thing, is that it changes with lighting differences. The wonder of nylon lycra at it's best...Just like the movies!!!! Woohoo!!!