Making a Bulletproof Ball Gown

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Xyla Foxlin
3727 W. Magnolia Blvd. # 174
Burbank, CA 91505
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TotalBoat Products Used:
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[@xylafoxlin]

Soooo.... the MET Gala theme this year is Americana. Not saying there's any correlation but ;)

[@L0stwitn0nam3]

Savage. Can't get more 'Merican then this.

[@dominicyang9309]

Dang, would've worked so well.

[@helpabrothawithasubisaiah5316]

I love you

[@Jayjlow]

For a body cast, you can papier-mâché yourself let dry, cut yourself out, then fiberglass the inside. You’ll have a reusable, hollow and accurate cast.

[@lpvrooom6714]

America is scary lol

[@CorvanEssen]

I'm starting to doubt my physics degree. Are cows even spheres?

[@xylafoxlin]

this comment isn't getting nearly enough love bahahaha

[@emilyselwood6456]

The floor clearly has friction too. Definitely something they didn't mention.

[@MartinPHellwig]

Only in a vacuum.

[@johnmusterman2930]

@@Zuluknob or in orher words they are, like all animals, Doughnut shaped ;)

[@forton615]

@@Zuluknob Since the rest of the cow is not hollow maybe a donut would be more precise. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r56pYpWmYtaloLc

[@Zylellrenfar]

Ah yes, BotalToat, my favorite source for epoxy resin, paints, primers, varnish adhesives & more for marine boats and DIYers. :)

[@Phyde4ux]

Dammit! Beat me to it... Take your thumbs up and begone!

[@OuchMySpleen]

Beat me too, hope she leaves it in, that was almost as adorable as the build. Had to rewind to be sure I heard it correctly.

[@fletchro789]

@@OuchMySpleen lol yeah you heard right. She calls it that quite often, actually. 😄

[@pipisugbo]

Make more carbon fiber panels and finish out the cage portion. Don't bother with the Kevlar tho.

[@GregBird]

Botal Toat is the go to for sure...

[@maltemusfeldt4295]

When cuting composites with an oscilating saw try cooling the blade with water. I use a spraybottle window cleaner. So you dont dull the blade as quick. Just keep the blade and the cut moist. As a bonus you dont get toxic tumes from burned epoxy and also less fibre particles get in the air.

[@modustrial]

boatal tote -- great stuff! ;) love this idea -- keep crushing it!

[@notoriouswhitemoth]

If your dressmaking involves multiple trips to the hardware store, there's definitely something going right in your life! I'd love to see the finished skirt! ❤

[@jasondashney]

I get a lot of photography lighting supplies at the Big Orange Store. Apparently you can also go there if you're building a house or something?

[@TiagoDosakiCorreia]

"Because of my poor form-making skills came out WAY more scantily clad than intended" - Guess that explains female armour in video games! It's just Xyla as the smith.

[@TheGalacticWest]

1480s Blacksmith: (Knife hands) It cant look pretty and protect at the same time. Choose one.

[@ImranKhan-kf4ez]

Would you like to change the back of the picture nicely, I'll delete the back of your picture nicely, you hired me background removal: file format is png, jpeg, psd • Model photo background removal • Pure white background • Remove background • Pencil sketch art you can hire me

[@BunnyFashionGirl]

Okay, so the thumbnail and everything else makes a TON more sense after watching the video - I totally came in with a judgy "well it's kind of short and odd to be a ballgown" and after watching it all I'm like "wow she had to deal with a lot, it came out great!" XD Definitely finish the dress! I did see the shooting video too which was awesome!

[@mechfall6603]

You should totally finish it, I personally... would love to see the skirt finished up and the final product! (Also a test could be awesome as well!)

[@JillBearup]

I have been summoned because this is very relevant to my interests 😁 Also it’s so ✨SHINY✨

[@tatianatub]

thanks for the recommendation ☺️

[@joshuacollins385]

Your poll about this was the reason I checked this out, and I'm very glad I did. Thanks Jill.

[@krystofdayne]

I don't know why I never realized before how awesome a collab between you guys could be. Would be pretty impractical I suppose, what with the thousands of miles between you two.

[@Valdagast]

I'll have to keep this in mind if I ever run an *_Action_* campaign.

[@grovermatic]

My wife is a huge fan of yours!

[@norgeek]

I'd say this deserves a full 2.0 treatment with the lessons learned throughout the build 🤔

[@bootninja]

agreed

[@jerogiman]

Make a gown.

[@xammax127]

You could just make a thick under layer of a different dress and place the Kevlar as shielding on top. I reckon a white under later would contrast really well with the black shielding

[@musicbro8225]

Yes do it again and get it fitting snug and comfortable! It looks so cool!

[@ShayerSUtsho]

agreed

[@Ck87JF]

I'm in agreement with everyone. Redo this with lessons learned, and make a basic one for target practice. That would be cool!

[@stevencastro6329]

It still looks fantastic in the end; I like that you used the lower pieces to make like a Roman legionnaire style set of armor strips. Awesome lemonade from the original lemon of expanding foam!

[@Slobbering_Koala]

Xyla- "No vital organs in middle of the thigh..." Thigh- 'laughs in femoral artery'

[@annodomini2012]

Technically the femoral artery isn’t an organ, but yes, it is something you need to protect

[@Bigwings2043]

Amongst… other things

[@anonydun82fgoog35]

@@annodomini2012 Best bit is there are 2 of them per thigh - the deep and superficial ones. Either one of which will make you bleed out in a couple minutes or so.

[@jstan5802]

@@annodomini2012 Actually since an organ is a collection of different tissues, the femoral artery is technically an organ, just like the aorta is an organ too.

[@lafondawilliams]

@@anonydun82fgoog35 your femoral can bleed out enough to kill you in 90 secs inside your leg no joke there, life gone in a blink of an eye.

[@claremeinhardt4578]

Definitely finish the skirt! A second version with the lessons from this version would be awesome!

[@ChocFlip201]

Such an awesome project and learning experiences! You are the perfect maker for this idea to be brought to life!

[@integza]

I dont know what you're talking about, my human body is a perfect circle I identify as a rocket

[@thirtythreeeyes8624]

What kind of rocket? Hope it's not Bezos.

[@TheMadJagger]

Solid fueled, i guess?

[@thirtythreeeyes8624]

@@TheMadJagger Probably a hybrid there's definitely some gases in there

[@chrislev9810]

Next episode, integza makes himself a bulletproof corset with plasma tubes.

[@luispires6935]

Tomates são nojentos!

[@guillermogarciamanjarrez8934]

Would love to see you finish it the way you envisioned it first, always love looking at this project that combine art and engineering

[@Wishbone1977]

Agreed. Would love to see it done in the right shape, so you could actually comfortably wear it the way it was originally intended. And if that happens, I think that video also needs to include an actual test of its "bullet-proof-ness", not of the dress itself (that would be a shame), just an extra panel made for the purpose.

[@EdmundWChan]

Do please shoot at part of it plz.

[@oldmanandthesea3384]

Hard to stop smiling. Love your enthusiasm. Keep on learning. Love Always and stay safe.

[@PsychoticBovine]

Loved your collab with Taofledermaus and OG!

[@malvoliosf]

“What does Xyla’s bulletproof ball-gown look like?” “In most places, it looks a lot like Xyla.”

[@Pylodictisolivaris]

I'm OK with that.

[@draco19283]

I love how you adapted it into something still usable. A potential solution for the form issue would probably be to inlay chicken wire during the duct tape stage with gaps in the wire on the right and left sides to cut it off. That may not totally solve it, but it should give a much closer form by preventing to foam from expanding indiscriminately.

[@xylafoxlin]

Wait.... That's super smart

[@cmdrsocks]

@@xylafoxlin Plaster of Paris bandages and make a body cast on top of the clear wrap and duct tape.

[@malusignatius]

@@cmdrsocks That's pretty much how they made the plastic mask I had for radiotherapy (it had to be form fitting with zero chance of movement)

[@grayeaglej]

Paramedic's Bandage shears (10 bucks on Amazon) will cut through duct tape, chicken wire, plaster bandages, just about anything. Priceless for crafters, cosplayers, any workshop, and should be in all first aid kits.

[@gregmuon]

@@cmdrsocks Exactly. Plaster and gauze have been used to take molds for centuries. As a famous engineer told me, there's no point in reinventing a solution to a problem that others have already solved. That's where engineering diverges from art.

[@bentrolley4316]

Would love to see the ballgown concept completed and/or more bulletproof fashion projects!

[@ctsnider88]

The final product is beautiful!

[@d.bjornchristian5651]

One of the things I enjoy about watching your videos is that you freely admit when you make mistakes, but then explain how you resolve the problem. This is something I constantly tell my students -- mistakes and errors are a big part of the learning and making process. Thank you! And this is a fabulous project!

[@alwaysfallingshort]

Exactly one of my favorite things about Xyla's videos. Doesn't feel like she smooths the edges over for the video and instead gives a realistic representation of diy, and makes it all feel far more approachable and doable yourselves. I show all of her video to my little cousins who always wanna do craft stuff after we watch it and a big part of that is her accessibility.

[@Impulse_Lemon]

I didn't know that the niche of making clothing out of stuff that clothing really shouldn't be made out of needed to be filled but damn Xyla you are killing it! First the cedar strip corset and now a carbon fiber dress? I can only imagine what you are gonna come up with next!

[@awsumpchits]

look up Naomi Wu, seriously. she'd approve of this dress for sure

[@carlosdelvalle5417]

Batwoman's suit.

[@zlac]

Look up 100 year hoodie, that's actually useable!

[@xyzzyx7812]

Steel corset! Totally not a Diablo2 armor :D

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

Something like... chainmail... shoulderpads.

[@cwatts6155]

The full Bullet Proof Ballgown is definitely a must. Lots learned from this build. I would like to see the process for making the gown/skirt too

[@orozcocris93]

thank you! as a huge 2a supporter i am really happy you went forward with this experiment and actually went out to shoot to test your build! great attempt and love the idea! i would love to see a try number 2! now that you understand the ballistics a little more maybe you could successfully meet your goal! Remember that while you thought that a thigh hit is not lethal, it is absolutely a lethal hit. you hit one of the arteries that go through your leg and it is game over. Try a long dress build? Fully in support of your idea i love it!

[@michaeloxlong]

Helpful conduit tip from an electrician: next time you want to shove a piece of conduit through something, cut the end at a sharp angle first. We do that all the time to make holes through drywall that are just the right size, or don't have a hole saw.

[@mal2ksc]

Like a really big hypodermic needle.

[@marcochen6816]

I would love to see you bring it to a range and actually test if it’s bulletproof

[@3dpprofessor]

Seconded. I would love to see the bullet proof... ness of this tested. Not with you in it, of course. But you got that dummy.

[@OlafFichtner]

You mean Super-Trooper style? kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYDCq5iwpc-hi7M

[@justnatsuki6526]

probably not completely unless she sandwiches plates in the dress as well

[@quintessenceSL]

TAOFLEDERMAUS

[@CrabBell]

If you were to test it, it might be better to test a patch of three layers of carbon fibre and three layers of kevlar.

[@lord_matto8660]

This deserves a part two looks sick af

[@derbagger22]

Awww, I ❤ the corset.

[@theelectronwrangler6416]

"A human body is not a perfect circle" Tell that to my drawings in first grade.

[@kevkev5935]

Been telling that to my waistline ever since the start of the pandemic.

[@revimfadli4666]

You can draw perfect circles in first grade?

[@sebastianjost]

Of course not... It's a sphere. Many physicists would agree

[@crschoen123]

Or any physicist.

[@theelectronwrangler6416]

@@crschoen123 Right, they think it's a sphere.

[@andrewedgecombe]

I'd love to see a version with the fibreglass skirt, but the way that this skirt moves in the final sequences is awesome. It would have been such a different visual "feel" to the original vision.

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

Yeah, the original idea would have been cool but this was a unique look even without being completed.

[@thorhammer6040]

YES FINISH IT

[@annewilson6847]

Yeah, would love to see it finished.

[@unforseenconsequense]

When getting measured for medieval armour nowadays a lot of blacksmiths use plaster casts because they match your dimention and your shape. Also, it would be cool if you made a set of full plate out of this material.

[@nirfz]

I would imagine this material choice to work better against bladed weapons than against projectiles of guns. (I highly doubt this would stop a bullet as it negates the working principle of "Kevlar wests".)

[@pwnmeisterage]

A full suit of "plate" wouldn't be practical for anything (though it would look great). But a few "plate" pieces - shinguards, forearm guards, etc - could be useful. Probably won't stop a bullet but probably would deflect a knife. Plus they'd be lightweight and not trigger metal detectors.

[@firefly6396]

@@nirfz well actually resonated kevlar has better ballistic capabilities when laminated properly

[@nirfz]

@@firefly6396 Sorry english isn't my first language, so i am not sure what you mean with _resonated_. As far as i learned, the stopping of handgun rounds by materials like kevlar, silk... is done by them being able to move while being interwoven. So if you laminate it with resin, the whole moving that decelerates the projoctile is not going to happen.

[@firefly6396]

@@nirfz basically there are multiple different weaves of kevlar some work better when they flex some work better when soaked in resin and hardened

[@Ellanion]

I would love to see a version two of this or a finished as envisioned. Getting to see how your approach changes based on what you've learned would be really cool :)

[@missl1775]

Same! I want to see this style with the full ballgown skirt, maybe some extra panels to give it a real secure fit. Ooh! Transparent fiberglass roses on the bodice! (I'm just daydreaming now, but I would love to see the planned skirt.)

[@arielbelmonttheone]

Beautiful and bulletproof

[@dfbess]

your videos never fail to impress me Xyla.

[@kameljoe21]

Xyla I am going say that its not bulletproof as Kevlar infused with resin will change the structure of the material. Ideally for this to work in theory is to make the shell out of carbon fiber then sew and install the Kevlar as padding. Molding could have done in plaster parts for a reverse mold which then could have fiberglass mold made from that. Then add some layers of felt or a thickening sheet so that the mold can accommodate the Kevlar padding.

[@johnb0815]

I thought so too. part of the bulletproof effect is absorbing energy by stretching the fibers. But it still looks awesome and I still want to see it get shot.

[@ianrobertson3419]

lol, ya that is correct. Also, the term "bulletproof" isn't used in describing body armor anymore.

[@atadbitnefarious1387]

You also need close to a dozen layers of Kevlar fabric in order for it to stop actual bullets.

[@atadbitnefarious1387]

Although hard Kevlar products like helmets are quite literally layers of Kevlar fabric soaked in resin and pressed together over a mold.

[@citylockapolytechnikeyllcc7936]

William, if she did as you suggest, she would not be able to make a boat out of the whole thing for the next video....... the 007 Speedboastierre

[@funwithmadness]

Not that this helps you for this project, and you probably already have heard it, but typically what you'd do if you're going to back fill the duct tape with expanding foam is to make a plaster bandage shell on your body before taking off the duct tape. That way when you put it all back together, the plaster bandages will hold the shape and prevent the foam from distorting everything. Oh... yeah, kevlar and carbon fiber suck to work with. ;)

[@helgrenze]

Cutting the plaster cast can be tricky. another way to prevent the circle expansion is to get a measure of the front to back clearance (marks on a wall) and placing the duct tape form between boards set to that width. It may cause some side expansion but should keep it from circling out.

[@jimurrata6785]

Making the form rigid is key! Even if you have to make a form _over_ the form... Kevlar sucks to cut, but the cheap Dremel brand carbide universal blades work great on carbon fiber, steel or any other abrasive material.

[@GaisaSanktejo]

@@helgrenze yes and no, if you use the same style of cast bandage as used when setting a broken bone, that stuff cuts VERY easily with the oscilating tool! Not only that, you can control the depth of the cut readily enough, AND most oswcilating multitool cutters won't cut the person inside. (depends on the user and blade type)

[@helgrenze]

@@GaisaSanktejo "(depends on the user and blade type)"... like I said, it can be tricky.

[@GaisaSanktejo]

@@helgrenze True enough, but she appears to be proficient enough in using the cutter and I'm sure she could experiment with the blades she can get hold of to find what works best

[@peterfirmstone1372]

Awesome, I love how you built it all yourself. Just awesome.

[@marinettemasyrenaud8742]

OML I Love how you two are matching! Edit: I love the Friend squad too.

[@Verb130]

That is the best ball gown I've seen ever! Lesson learned. I've been doing epoxy jigs and molds for 15 years. Always make a hard negative mold, then do a positive mold from the negative. You started right with the wrapping, but could have used plaster or maybe cheap hardware store drywall compound with latex additives to keep it less brittle. I have found a 50/50 mix of concrete bonding agent and water for the liquid, and then use that 50/50 liquid to mix with quick dry drywall powder is a great mold plaster. It's a cheap semi flex (doesn't crack as much) mud. There are other mixes that I know of too.

[@Agent4077]

reminds me of two other videos I've seen of people making molds. One was The Modern Rogue where they used plaster impregnated cloth, similar to what doctors use to make a cast for a broken arm. The other was The King of Random where they used just enough water to make the plaster a paste, then added shards of Manilla rope as reinforcement.

[@citylockapolytechnikeyllcc7936]

or, she could get a dress form, but that is not very craftie, nor science-ie for youtube!

[@i.am.adrian]

As a long-time car guy, I have loved the look of glossy carbon fiber for years. I'm used to seeing it on hoods, roofs, and spoilers, but this is amazing too. SEMA is coming up in Las Vegas, I bet there are some Carbon Fiber parts manufacturers that would love to have something like this in their booth at the SEMA show this year!

[@PongoXBongo]

Maybe someone could commission her to make some carbon fiber booth babe outfits.

[@bobzhang64]

Amazing Job !!! Love the effort that you put into it !!! Amazing!

[@tommartinez62]

A really interesting build, you are a very talented artist, builder and you really modeled it well. I am really looking forward to the testing.

[@blu0065]

Xyla: proving that you can be epic and authentic in the same breath at the same time

[@philiphochendoner2540]

Can't wait to see what this thing does when shot! Even the piece y'all jumped on before would be neat to test. Also, that bubble shot was PERFECT!

[@jyvben1520]

mm::ss please

[@rustythecrown9317]

She does live in america so the test fire should occur at any moment.

[@BarfusWOW]

@@rustythecrown9317 and in LA so she just has to i donno cut someone off in traffic

[@lethargogpeterson4083]

@@jyvben1520 27:10 The bubble goes right in front of her face. Excellent.

[@jyvben1520]

@@lethargogpeterson4083 video is only 24:41 long ?

[@gilangignasraharjo6138]

THAT LOOKS REALLY NICEEE

[@Malefleur]

GORGEOUS!!!

[@snakedike]

57 year old engineer and never thought I'd enjoy watching a dress being made. Great vid and very instructional. I wondered about the mold deformation when you were pouring the foam. Not sure if it would be worth trying but I'm thinking you might essentially create a body cast around yourself with plaster and cheese cloth, split it to get out, then pour your foam in that. I was also thinking this might be less constricting than layers of tape which can get tight with successive wraps.

[@jonathanm9436]

Plaster is an excellent idea.

[@COIcultist]

I can follow the plaster and cheesecloth idea, but unless it was done with multiple layers, wouldn't it just burst under pressure from the expanding foam. Would reinforcing this with fibreglass layers work, or would you prefer some other medium to solidify the front and back moulds? I'm here after watching The OG's Danger Show. OG has filmed with Taofledermaus for years and has just done a behind the scenes filming of Xyla shooting the dress/corset or whatever it is. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXK9mmiYocx8Zqc

[@snakedike]

@@COIcultist Thanks for the link. I love watching people approach firearms in a responsible manner. Looks like they had fun. Sure you could add fiberglass to the mold and it might even be a good idea if you wanted to get multiple uses out of it. Making a plaster cast includes numerous wraps or layers which to you your point will make the form structurally solid. Done properly, you shouldn't need to reinforce it.

[@brettd5884]

The plaster and cheesecloth idea is a good one, but there may be an alternative if you can resolve one problem. The model stands, wearing a tight think bodysuit. Fill a pair of trashbags with the same foam, and sandwich the model in between. Once the foam cures, the bags should be easy to pull off the model. There is the problem that the foam generates lots of heat, hence the bodysuit.

[@101juki]

i totaly agree

[@marz2292]

I can't believe you actually built your own high level female RPG armour! Looks amazing!

[@thelastminuteman7513]

Never thought I'd watch a YT vid of someone making a dress but as both a car guy and firearms enthusiasts I can appreciate the craftsmanship of making it out of both carbon fiber and Kevlar. Saw the behind the scenes on Officer Greggs channel and I can't wait to see how the dress holds up.

[@MatthewSwartIreland]

Stunning job found it very informative for daughters next project.

[@zenmark42]

Would love to see you finish it! And shoot it! Also I would really love it if you could do a refinement of your floatation foam method for dress form making; I've seen people try and make it work right but I feel like some experimentation with methods on that could really make diy dressforms even better... cause obviously they're rather finnicky and people tend to deal with it rather than do another....

[@edwardpaulsen1074]

Just a thought here, but if the problem is that there is not enough constraint to keep it from going all "round" maybe do some sort of clamp to maintain the front to back distance which would force the foam to kick out to the sides properly... maybe do a quick plaster tape cast of the front and 'spine' and measure the distance with a set of bar clamps that you can reset to the same dimension after removal?

[@zenmark42]

@@edwardpaulsen1074 ooh yeah the plaster cast part might really make it work right; it might have juuust enough rigidity for the foam to not round it out as it expands.

[@EIixir]

It looks so clean. Got a feeling this is the type of content that Jill Bearup and Abby Cox might be interested in. And please show if it's bullet proof.

[@samuelmellars7855]

To add a counterpoint, show it even if it *isn't* bulletproof I'm wondering how it would look when worn *after* being shot. It might crack in interesting patterns!

[@aronseptianto8142]

@@samuelmellars7855 and even if it just scuff a bit, it'd be a badass "battlemark"

[@EsquilaxM]

I saw at least one of those people commented 7 minutes ago

[@TonkarzOfSolSystem]

I was sent here by Jill Bearup.

[@bullzebub]

wow! the finished carbon fibre looks amazing! if you make a v2 maybe you can make the skirt out of panels? like lamellar armor?

[@kristopherdetar4346]

Fascinating fabrication process with these materials. You are an amazing forward thinker. Love your fun natured personality. Cool video.

[@captainchaos3667]

All while you were pouring the foam I was thinking: "how will they ensure that it stays in shape?" I guess that answers that... 😉

[@electricpaisy6045]

Yeah same. She needs to use a six material like plaster next time.

[@twothreebravo]

Stunning result! I definitely want to see this thing get shot because I feel like all the benefits of kevlar must get lost or diminished once it gets locked up by the epoxy. So if you do shoot it, it would be nice to see a comparison to an untreated layering of kevalr and carbon fiber.

[@econojon]

Still should do pretty well against a knife.

[@eddjordan2399]

@@econojonthat's the folk version of the song.

[@GeraldMMonroe]

You think there might be spalling from the epoxy? Bullet hits one side, and the shock travels through the epoxy to the other? It's also awfully thin, I suspect it will only stop the lower end pistol rounds. fn 5.7 I would expect will pen it.

[@mduckernz]

@@GeraldMMonroe More that if the epoxy is holding the fibers ion place, they can't bunch up around the impactor like they do with free (to move) cloth, nor stretch... it will make the kevlar much less effective. However. It will be nicely abrasion resistant in epoxy :) its not like everything is worse, just some aspects.

[@0MoTheG]

It might still do better than steel of the same weight. The true reason why vests work is gone.

[@BayAreaBerk]

Just found this Maker in early 2024 & I find myself so engrossed and entertained, and (being truthful) truly Inspired, I often forget to click the 'Like' button...

[@KayDubs77]

A sewing machine is a power tool! I love the dress!!

[@Thenlar]

That looks fantastic! I would love to see the finished product, and ALSO to see the tested "bullet proof" claim. Instead of shooting the corset straight up though, perhaps do some panels of the same materials/thickness? No need for finishing details since it's not to look pretty, just get shot, and a simple shape so hopefully it would take a lot less time. Then it would be possible to try multiple different calibers on fresh panels and also keep your sweet ass corset!

[@GaisaSanktejo]

Send the "test panels" to taufladermaus, though they would probably need to be quite a bit thicker to block anything substantial

[@1001DLW]

Definitely second the idea of making test panels and sending them to taufladermaus. Really amazing outfit !

[@tantamounted]

I third the @taofledermaus or optionally, @DemolitionRanch

[@thorwaldjohanson2526]

I doubt this would stop anything more than a .22 maybe a .38. There are several videos online testing this. That is still way more than any other clothing besides actual armor.

[@Thenlar]

@@thorwaldjohanson2526 I agree, they're pretty thin for armor, but I still wanna SEE it. XD

[@faceplant950]

1) Nice choice for the song, at the end. 2) I am rather curious to see what happens he skirt would look like. 3) Of course shoot it! 4) if you do similar builds in the future, consider LED lights (because they're cool). Loved the video!

[@n3gi_]

"Nice choice of song", seriously? I guess maybe for a 12 year old girl.

[@hadafewreviews7479]

@@n3gi_ if you didn’t like the song, then you’re probably not the intended audience.

[@sapuseven6119]

@@hadafewreviews7479 It's more about the song being such an obvious choice than a bad one

[@tawelwchgaming8957]

that would be awesome to see the fully finished product!

[@robertgutheridge9672]

I recently found your channel and I am liking the way you show your ideas and your personality this ball gown would be perfect for cosplay

[@nathanwichman9519]

I would love to see how you would create a ridgid skirt for this bodice keeping it to the mass of a moderate ballgown. And I would also be curious how much mobility you would have had if your form had not bloated with the foam. From an armourer's perspective, I probably would have pulled the top of the bodice up to the collarbone to protect the sternum (arms require a lot of space for flexibility, especially for some dancing, so it probably wouldn't want to be a full breastplate). The seams are always weak spots in armour and a common technique is to just use many layered scales/lames/pieces, which I might also recommend at the flare of the skirt and around the side panels. Deadlines are annoying, but I would like to see you try this again perhaps.

[@AdaSoto]

Years ago I worked on a production of The Importance of Being Earnest where the costumes we're structured as proper Victorian clothing but made out of transparent material so you could see the architecture of it all. (Like if you stripped away the personality layers of the characters you would find them very shallow. ) For the plastic dresses each seam was covered in clear, water proof tape. The clear plastic men's jackets had seams covered in silver electrical tape. The corsets used heavy nylon cable ties for the boneing. For hoop skirts it was wire, delicate fabric, and a lot of hours hand sewing for three college credits. The whole thing was amazing. The pictures are probably still online. University of Alaska Fairbanks 2000 or 2001.

[@tylerfortner9500]

Well she is trying to sell her body here..

[@steamfan7147]

2021: Xyla "Making a Bullet Proof Ball Gown" 2026: Xyla "Installing The Arc Reactor and Thruster Packs"

[@AlfredoEstuar]

this needs to have a part 2. I want to see it evolve more.. "finish" the project.

[@MultiSteveB]

17:36 "The edges were a nightmare because Kevlar doesn't sand very well, or cut very well - or do anything very well." It stops bullets very well. ;)

[@ALwinDigital]

It depends on how Kevlar is weaved and layered.

[@MultiSteveB]

@@ALwinDigital Obviously. I was making a joke. :D

[@anthonypetrillo841]

I love how you always use boat-building supplies in your non-boat-related projects. Very efficient and resourceful 👌🏼😂

[@psedog]

Honestly, it's the best way to get epoxy at affordable prices. I've been using it for years to make car speaker boxes.

[@SolomonDragon]

Xyla -“ there are no vital organs in the middle of the thigh” Femoral Artery- “ Am I a joke to you?!”

[@barbtandavion8233]

laughs in bleeding out in 3 minutes

[@Urzaden]

I mean still not an organ, so correct.

[@SolomonDragon]

Blood vessels count as one large organ. They just name the different sections individually. Like how you fingers are still apart of your hands but still treated named separately.

[@jesscast5122]

That's NOT an organ.......Critical...but not an Organ....

[@SolomonDragon]

Jess Cast Organs of the circulatory system: Heart, Arteries, Veins.

[@orenmontgomery8250]

Harry: "But Floyd, what if they'd shot you in the face?" Agent: "That's a chance we were willing to take."

[@ff-qf1th]

this is the coolest thing you have done

[@rlaxton666]

Awesome build! If I recall from Mythbusters, when they were making ballistics gel models of the various cast members, they would silicone the body and then cover it with heaps of plaster impregnated bandages. Not sure whether you could use that straight as your positive mould? Either way, thanks for the warning on working with kevlar, it seems like a complete bastard.

[@soangry]

Yeah, I've watched way too many episodes of mythbusters and noticed the same thing right away.

[@proptaku]

I've done this for a rough head cast. The big advantage is maintaining proportions through rigidity, so yes, the plaster bandage approach does work. And in this case you do not need silicone... that's only necessary for fine detail. Use petroleum jelly as a release agent.

[@KarryKarryKarry]

Plaster bandages work well as a negative form but usually it doesn’t shape up nicely on the outside, so I don’t think it’s viable as a straight positive form. By the way; be sure to cover everything in a generous layer of release agent or you’ll end up stuck inside the form. That’s particularly important if you’re casting hairy subjects!

[@proptaku]

@@KarryKarryKarry Yes, hair stuck in plaster can be unpleasant. And you're right, this can only be used for negative casts, you would have to fill it with some kind of foam, as Xyla did in the video. The only way the duck tape method works is if you build a frame to maintain proportions at hip, shoulder, etc.

[@gavinli1368]

Again with the transfer of skills from canoe woodworking to the cosplay crafting scene. Incredible

[@dutchik5107]

Well I don't think most cosplayers use actual kevlar

[@Westie_NZ]

Amazing, and admirable adaptability and perseverance. Impressive (and yes, I'll be sure to watch you test it......)

[@relatablyjr]

I definitely, want to see you shoot it & maybe a 2.0 build maybe? Excellent job narrating it's very easy to follow, a lot of YTr's speed their way & don't watch pace while explaining. New fan here!

[@95triforce]

Very cool! Way to adapt and overcome Xyla. Yes definitely finish that dream and SHOOT THAT THING! That has to be the endgame for a "Bulletproof Ball Gown"

[@panda_invention1810]

😭

[@matthewcampbell8765]

Send it to the master of shooting all types of things! kzbin.info

[@chadcrews3034]

This turned out FANTASTIC! I see what you meant about being particular with the stich direction on the different pieces, and it works great. Definitely should finish the skirt, and of course you have to test the bulletproof claim!!!

[@thenakedrepairman7218]

Beautiful! Amazing! Passion expressed and successfully Created. Lemonade TASTES GOOD compared to throwing everything away!

[@jpitt916]

I was thinking cutting the front vertically down the middle, then epoxying it back together with more layers of kevlar and carbon fiber to flatten it a little. Still looks awesome though!

[@janikarkkainen3904]

"No vital organs in the middle of the thigh" Well kinda depends on how you look at it. There's no "big" internal organs, but there is say, femoral artery there, which, when severed, can kill you very much dead.

[@brownhairedkid1]

A big enough thick enough set of skirts/weird Kevlar peplum might work for that?

[@nrok113]

kevlar is bulletproof when in multiple layers and not hardened. the pulling apart of the fibers is what stops the bullet. with epoxy, it will shatter

[@csours]

Hmm not sure you can say that without testing the specific application.

[@jonathanfairchild]

@@csours it’s pretty much how modern bullet proof stuff works besides solid metal. Bullet proof glass works similarly with multiple alternating layers of softer and harder material. When the bullet passes through the different mediums it looses energy pushing the different materials out of the way. Same with Kevlar.

[@morantactical1105]

Going to say nope. Army combat helmets have been made out of resin laminated Kevlar strips for the last 40 years. I have personally witnessed them stop handgun rounds at close range, and rifle rounds at distance. Albeit the helmets are much thicker, something like 14-18 layers. My level 3A body armor is 7 layers of alternating fine and course weave I think.

[@draven1438]

thank you for the idea im gonna try this for my prosthetic legs to make them a little more useful

[@LaCapla]

Perseverance, I knew you could do it, beautiful.

[@linsen8890]

The dress is actually really gorgeous, and you look fantastic in it! I'd love to see what you could do after you've learned from this first one and you weren't time limited.

[@scottduede8134]

Today I learned: Electric scissors are a real thing that resemble angle grinders.

[@Sinbad6679]

Stunning!

[@nobodynoone2500]

Love that you show the fails too. Feel like we learn more that way.

[@stormelemental13]

I'd love to see you try this project again, but with a proper body cast mold to give you a dimensionally correct dummy to work from. Alginate, plaster, and boom. A hard hollow shell of yourself that can stand up to the pressures of expanding foam. Life casting is so cool, and there is so much neat chemistry and science involved.

[@EvonyNinj]

Oh and definitely finish it if you want

[@GBiv78]

That's freaking awesome!!

[@TexRobNC]

In the future, you could probably have affixed that conduit to a drill temporarily, and notched the end slightly to make some rudimentary teeth, to get it through that foam

[@ChristopherGoggans]

Depends on the size of conduit and how one would attach that to a drill. Most conduit is 3/4 to 1in, and both are certain to be far larger than the 1/2in common on most drill chucks. Yes there are ways to make it work, and it's not a bad idea, just wanted to throw a few.more things out there for anyone else that's considering doing something similar.

[@herbschilling2215]

Your determination to figure out all the details that it takes to do your projects and get past the problems always amazes me. Another cool project, Xyla!

[@ionicwake]

this looks Fabulous, well done.

[@shadowplayer9785]

Here because of Jill's post, but glad I stuck through to the end. It looks awesome!

[@briangillispie5286]

I am amazed at your unique combination of skills, imagination and curiosity. Dont stop you are amazing.