Before you make a suit

Things to think about before making a suit costume

Here's a whole list of questions of possibilities that I'd highly recommend anyone take a look at and answer if they plan on making a suit. It might bring up some problems to think about before they happen during the process of making a costume.
I'd copy/paste and print this off and answer to any questions that apply to your future project.

Physical requirements
1. Do you relate to the creatures physical traits in any way?
2. Do you have any physical problems? ( allergies, loss of breath, heart problems, flexibility, claustrophobia, bowel/bladder problems, etc)
3. Where will be an air vent(s)?
4. Where will the vision be?
5. Can you hear well in the suit?
6. Can people hear you clearly if you should speak?
7. How will the suit be taken apart in case of quick relief?
8. In what rooms or areas can you travel in your suit?
9. How heavy will some pieces of the suit be?

Flexibility
1. Can you sit on the floor in the suit?
2. Can you sit in a chair in the suit?
3. Can you lie down in the suit?
4. How far can you walk in the suit?
5. Can you run/hustle in the suit?
6. Is there any physical tricks being performed in the suit? ( dancing, aerobatic, etc)
7. Can you walk up stairs?
8.   Can you ride an Escalator/Elevator?
9. Will you be walking Plantigrade, Digitigrade stilts, or quad stilts?

Common Sense
1. What's your time line of when you'd like the suit or costume to be finished?
2. Is there a place away from public that you can change into the suit?
3. How big is your personal bubble? ( distance between you and another person standing around you)
4. Can you access water while wearing parts of the suit?
5. Can you fit though a door?
6. How many pieces will your suit be? ( 5 piece= Head, bodysuit, gloves, boots, tail)  
7. Can the pieces of the suit fit into a car without obstructing view?
8. Where can you store the suit when not being used ( at home and the convention/event) ?
9. Bring a mini repair kit with you.
10. Place a hidden pocket somewhere within your suit ( for your cell phone, wallet, glasses, etc.)
11. Will you have a spotter? ( someone to aid you while in the suit)
12. How far will you walk while caring pieces of your suit? ( to a car or room)
13. Will you be near or around fire?
14.  Is it Convention/People friendly?
15. Is there any sharp edges on the suit?

Attachments
1. Will there be anything to become an obstacle to you and others around you? (Large tails, wings, stilts, large feet, etc.)
2. How long is the tail?
3. Will the tail get in the way of walking?
4. If the suit has wings, how large are they?
5. Any skills you may want to learn to make something? ( resin casting, LED's and electrical devices, sewing with a machine or serger, airbrushing, dying)

Materials
1. How much foam/padding will you possibly need?
2. If your suit has wings, how will the structure be built?
3. Will you be using fake Furs or fleece or other materials for the skin?
4. If your suit has wings or is bird like, will it have feathers?
5. If your suit is reptilian like, how will you make effects of the scales?
6. Will air bushing help or be involved?
7. Are there any special things you want?
8. Is there anything to be commissioned from other artists?
9. Is there anything that can be broken and replaced?
10. What do you want, and what do you not want? ( on appearance, and fabric choice)
11. Is there any material that is extremely flammable?
12. Can you get close enough or right colors of fabric? Or will dye be involved?
13.  Avoid using metal and glass if you are wearing the suit in public

Make it look Good
1. How many poses can you perform?
2. Can you act/perform in the suit?
3. Can you act/Perform around others while in the suit?
4. How does light work with your suit? ( for photos and stage performance)


~Not everything desired may happen to plan, and sacrifices will be made~