Welcome back guys! Now that your wings are done, it’s time to make a harness. Unfortunately, this is going to more of a walk through of how I did mine than a tutorial, because my dad helped me a bunch, and we used a few things he had laying around in his workshop. But it should give you the general idea of how to make a functioning harness so you can make your own!
I’m not going to do a full list of supplies because some of the things I don’t know what they are or their name, but I will do a basic run down of things you will need:
- Sintra, or some form of plastic/wood plate. This is the main back piece
- Pipe (for wings to slide into)
- Some form of ring for your straps to attach to
- Screws and nails and such of various kind
- Strap material
- Buckle
- Some sort of spring
- Fishing line
- Worbla
- Miscellaneous attachment materials
Okay, let’s jump in! First, measure out and cut your back piece from the sintra. I made mine fairly big, because the wings are heavy. Also, to measure, I guessed and cut it out of paper, then held it to my back to check size.
The picture above shows my sintra plate, along with some of the materials used. The gray pipe lying on the sintra is the first part we will attach. My dad helped by making my rings for the straps as well as backing plates for all the attachments. First, find the center of your piece and mark.
Lying on my mark is one of the backing pieces my dad made for me. In order to attach the pipes, I used a copper attachment with the same diameter as my pipe. Using the backing plate, I marked then predrilled holes. I used two copper pieces and overlapped the center hole. Use a T square or an L shaped ruler to make sure your pieces are parallel to the top of your sintra. I placed my pipes high, simply because that’s where I wanted them. I wanted the wings to look like they were coming out from between my shoulder blades.
Once your holes are drilled, attach using screws, backing plate, and bolt.
Next, you need to attach your rings. My dad made these for me because I couldn’t find exactly what I wanted. Basically, you do this the same as the pipes. Set out on your sintra, mark, pre drill, and attach.
Now, all those screws are going to be sticking into your back, so I recommend padding it using EVA foam. Use your harness as a template and cut out. Press your back piece into the foam to mark your screws. And dig those in a little. I just melted them a bit with a hot glue gun tip. Attach using glue (I used E6000).
Now, straps! Measure out how much you need for one of the back pack like straps. Cut slightly larger than that (at least 4″ larger). Attach to top ring. Hold pack on (use help) and measure where it needs to attach on the side. Sew that. Repeat on other side. For the bottom strap, I attached two separate straps to each side, then a buckle. Make sure it’s tight.
Use worbla to create a battery holder.
My dad used some special type of screw that goes into metal and secured the worbla for me. On it’s own, it might hold up with glue if you are really gentle with it.
Now, it works as is, but your wings are going to be very free floating. I recommend you attach some fishing line to the wings, the make a hoop for you to hold on to or attach to a small piece of wood. That will give you some control. You can also install springs to force them back when you aren’t pulling on them. This part, my dad and I just scavenged his workshop at home for parts. Basically, you need to attach a spring to the wing, then somewhere it can clip into on the sintra, that way your wings can come out of the harness.
And you’re done! Congrats on the new wings!
Until next time, keep cosplaying! Any questions, comments, or requests, leave them below!
Anna Stasia Cosplay 