So, I don't want to use Lycra.

[B-Lister]

as it always comes off shiny in pics.

what did classic Megos use?, It looks like some kind of poly blend, maybe even T-Shirt material, but its not as thick.

[Megospidey]

I've never had lycra/spandex come off shiny in pics.

You can use a poly/cotton blend. Several do use that. I do prefer lycra/spandex though..it is more forgiving

[Tothiro]

Well, actual spandex I don't like - it usually is shiny with a weave to the fabric that's too large and open and the texture is weird. :(
Lycra is not so bad (sold usually as "swimsuit material"), actually pretty good - but you can't often find much in the way of color choice. I did a Dr Fate that used store bought Lycra for blue and a women's swimsuit for the yellow - turned out nicely.

Also the Lycra is much more elastic than actual MEGO fabric. Which is fine, if you're going for an art piece look, but makes it tougher to pull off the retro charm.

For mego purism, what I like is to go to the Ross or Marshall's of the world and check the clearance section for women's dresses. A shock to the unenlightened machismo instinct perhaps, but I figure wth, I'm already making doll clothes with it, right?

They usually have a good color selection of synthetic blend summer dresses in a similar fabric weight and feel to orginal mego. At an average dress price of about $10 you're also paying about the same as you would for the fabric by the yard at a craft shop, except they don't really stock the same commercial type of fabric at those stores. Not really a slam against Micheal's, etc... I mean I couldn't find this stuff at Mood in NYC when I was working in NY either, and they're the fashion school supplier.

[almitysufx]

I use jet set, found at most fabric stores. it's a nice thickness and it's 100% polyester. It comes in a handful of colors and is very inexpensive. Jo Anne's has it for $399 a yard and they also put out a 40% off coupon nearly every week. The only big drawback is it only stretches in one direction.

[thunderbolt]

I use a cotton lycra for the most part to get the look I like. More old school and not shiny.

[BlackKnight]

Jo Anne's has it for $399 a yard

Man ... That's some Bank for Fabric.

[JediJaida]

He meant $3.99 a yard. LOL!

If I were to actually find fabric that expensive somewhere, I would definitely faint from sticker shock.

[PNGwynne]

I use jet set, found at most fabric stores. it's a nice thickness and it's 100% polyester. It comes in a handful of colors and is very inexpensive. Jo Anne's has it for $399 a yard and they also put out a 40% off coupon nearly every week. The only big drawback is it only stretches in one direction.

^Yes!!! IMO, Jet Set (polyester single-knit) is the closest you can now get to Mego-type knit. It's what Emce uses for the Trek repros as well. It has the right feel & weight, too, and a similar weave to Mego's. I see the one-way stretch as an advantage, actually, in mimicking Mego. And it's matte, very durable, and not so prone to snagging.

If you watch closely at Hallowe'en, many costumes are made of Jet Set-type knit. If you catch costumes on clearance, you can get a huge variety of colors (which you won't see at JoAnn's) at a reduced price.

Really wish Mattel had chosen to use this type of knit, rather than the milliskin-type stuff (which is still preferrable to Lycra imo).

[PNGwynne]

If you'd like to use Lycra and want to cut the shine, sew it wrong-side-out.

What color are you searching for?

*Another idea: Exercise clothing. like Champion tank/muscle shirts. Target has some right now that are lighter than Lycra & matte, in bold basic colors...

[B-Lister]

Black. Which should be no trouble at all.

I'm shoring up materials for a Golden Age Black Terror and Tim. If things work out with that, I will be doing some personally created characters, with plans to do a photocomic starring them.

[PNGwynne]

Black Jet-Set is usually in stock at JoAnn's.

If you have Emce Trek figures, that's what their pants are made from...

[jackson5677]

Black. Which should be no trouble at all.

I'm shoring up materials for a Golden Age Black Terror and Tim. If things work out with that, I will be doing some personally created characters, with plans to do a photocomic starring them.

I used a Black wet look suit made by Brian L. for my Black Terror and Tim, and added trim from Michaels craft store.

After this photo was taken I added new gloves to BT to match Tim's.

[B-Lister]

those are pretty sweet. What did you use for the heads?, and Tim's body?, Tim looks a lot like Bucky. I'd probably use a Dr. Mego Speedy.

[jackson5677]

those are pretty sweet. What did you use for the heads?, and Tim's body?, Tim looks a lot like Bucky. I'd probably use a Dr. Mego Speedy.

I shrunk a dc 9" green arrow head for BT and Tim has a teen titans body and a speedy recast head by Austin.

[thunderbolt]

Joann's carries a black cotton lycra blend, its in the swim/dancewear section.