Bubble Wrap Suit
Science Ball is one thousand three hundred science undergraduates and friends drinking beer in costume at the Royal Exhibition Building, the only world heritage listed building in Australia.
I took this opportunity to build a bubble wrap suit. The theme was “Fire & Ice”. Bubble wrap sort of looks like ice, right? Well I don’t care, I want a bubble wrap suit.
I started with the pants.
They consisted of four pieces, which I taped together with clear packing tape. This is an oddly robust construction method. I put some elastic in the waist seam, and self-adhesive velcro spots to make a fly.
Perfectly fitting size 30 bubble wrap pants.
A friend pointed out that it would be awfully hot wearing bubble over clothes. I agreed, and declared I would not wear anything underneath. She withdrew her criticism.
Next, the jacket.
The pattern was worked out by tracing a thrift store jacket, with one piece for the back, one for the front, and a pair of pieces for each sleeve. Scrap pieces of bubblewrap were taped up to create a collar and lapels. Velcro spots for the buttons and on the sleeves to make cuffs.
On the night, the pants required constant repair. The jacket survived, and will surely make a future appearence. By public demand, I will be wearing opaque pants next time.
November 9th, 2006 at 6:00 am
this is awesome i’m trying to do the exact same thing for my school fasion show. its going to be a bubble wrap parka. your design gave me a few ideas that can definatlly help me out. thanks!
August 21st, 2008 at 10:48 am
this is sweet! i thought of being a “bubble wrap man” for halloween this yea at my school but i dident know how to assemble it…i just have a couple questions ….1) how long did it take you to make? 2) how much and what kind of bubble wrap was used? 3 was it really comfit able?
August 23rd, 2008 at 12:06 am
Thanks! It only took an evening to assemble. Stock standard run of the mill bubble wrap, as used for shipping and sold at office supply stores everywhere. Couldn’t tell you the quantity off the top of my head, but it’s not too difficult to work out if you measure the approximate area of clothing you plan to use as a pattern. It wasn’t too uncomfortable, bit warm and squeaky, but okay. It did greatly improve any existing uncomfortable furniture!
October 26th, 2008 at 10:29 am
I tried to make the pants and jacket, ended up with a kilt and vest. The pants I made were incredibly fragile, noting the fact that I’m riding my bike out to a Halloween party tonight.
The kilt and vest look pretty killer though.