Rocky Wraps (Prototype)

I basically made leggings and attached the 'laced up' component as a façade on top of the leggings.  There are separating zippers running up the back of the legs.  They just go on like a pair of pants and will stay up really well. They look fantastic from the front. A bit of a compromise since they don't get unlaced... but I think the focus should be on Rocky's initial debut when he stands up, and not on Magenta and Columbia unlacing him.  I did the same for the arms/sleeves. 

But this is just a prototype - so the length is a bit long in the video... and the zipper wasn't shortened yet.  

 

Guest Post: Quick & Dirty Rocky Wraps by RM

I came up with this solution for Rocky wraps that look good, are fairly easy and quick to put on and take off, and don’t immediately start unraveling as soon as they’re on. Believe it or not, I used 3-4 yards of white polyester interlock fabric left over from my Princess Leia costume. It’s a lightweight, drapey, slightly stretchy knit that stretches in both directions (not super-stretchy Lycra or the stiff double-knit polyester they used to make leisure suits from in the 1970s). I had no trouble sewing it on a normal sewing machine with a standard needle. The raw edge can run a bit, but it doesn’t fray like a woven fabric. I bought this in Asia, but I think the US equivalent would be “Jetset” from Jo-ann Fabrics or “polyester interlock” from the now-closed Hancock Fabrics.

For the leg wraps, you’ll also need about 2 yards of snap tape and about 2 yards of thin white cord.

Rocky Wrap Tutorial

Finding a suitable fabric is tricky. You want something thin enough to maneuver around the cords, but not transparent. I used a satin cord in the tutorial because it slides out easier.



Materials used:
Muslin arm pad with fusible fleece layer for stability (18" x 3")
Satin cord (not screen accurate)
Length of 3" wide knit fabric

Rocky Wraps (Research)

Prompted by a thread in the LJ community, here's my thoughts on Rocky's wraps. (I don't play Rocky, so please feel free to share your tried and true methods in the comments!)

I can definitely see two cords running down his arm - and he has two cords in his right hand. I can't tell if the top end is tied to something else, but whatever the case Magenta and Columbia use scissors to free it. I think you could just tie it (if you don't want to replace the severed cords every show).

He also has an extra piece of fabric under the strips of cord - presumably to hide any gaps from the lacing and prevent any rope burn.

The fabric is probably some kind of knit - and knits are great because they're form-fitting and don't fray.