Done!

I'm not 100% happy with it, but it's because I see every last imperfection. But it's done, at least this version, and if I want to make any changes I'll either do a part again (NOT THE SASHES) or modify what I've got here.

The sashes by far took the longest to do, approximately 2 hours each (so about 14 hours of work there), but the rest of it was just figuring out arrangement based on photos. Now that it's done, the embroidery was very worth it.

I'll be posting more about the exact assembly and detailed instructions at a later date. For now I'm just glad it's done. :)

Sash progress

So now I know why most of the other JN's I've seen on the web have the sash work done in marker :P I'm already over 1000 yards of thread used, and still have two of the sashes (right shoulder, belt) to do before I'm done with that part. And I have to admit - it won't be soon enough. It's somewhat tedeious, but I think that it's working out great!



I will need some sort of interfacing and backing for the sashes, which I hadn't counted on originally, if for nothing else than to give them a bit more stiffness. Copious amounts of ironing can be seen in my future as well. But it's coming out great, and I couldn't be more pleased.

Next steps are to put the edging and back on the sashes, assemble tem, them, and then start hemming the robe and skirt. After that it's really just assembly, although I may need an underskirt as I watched how she walked again the other day, and the skirt doesn't hang straight down. Not quite hoop skirt, but there's some sort of petticoat action going on down there.

Mockup complete

Using cheap muslin I managed to put together a mock up of the main robe, and do some minor adjustments. Once that's done, I disassembled the mock up and used those peices for the pattern on the real fabric.

It doesn't look like much here, but it's an important part of the costume - it gives me a reusable template that's much more sturdy than usual patterns, as well as the ability to make modifications to the pattern and have those be resuseable as well.

Most of this is now cut out, with a few peices to go. Then I start assembly. Wee ;)

Progress - 2nd Fabric bought & Pattern Selected

Finally making headway for this costume. I bought a raw silk that's a pretty good color match to the costume, as the dyeing didn't work. It's beautiful and has a perfect weight for the outfit I'm fairly sure.

I also decided to use McCall's 2940 rather than Simplicity 5840 for the robe pattern. They're so close, but the McCall's one has shoulders that start actually on the shoulder, and the Simplicity shoulders start further down the arm, which isn't as accurate. I've got them cut, and plan to create the muslin mock up sometime tomorrow, at least for the underrobe. The epaulettes (which I know is the wrong word for the over sashes but sounds better than 'over sashes' will come after - I'm still trying to figure out the best way to construct them, as they're not as easy as a one peice with hemmed sides. They've got the rolled edges, and need some weight to them to hang down appropriately. I'll get there.

First, the underrobe. But that'll have to be tomorrow.

Pictures

Really, there's not much to show, but here you go.

On the top is the failed fabric dye job. Other than the distinct color difference between the two (which isn't costume accurate), the picture almost makes the fabric look as if it's close to the colors of her costume. Trust me - they're not. They'll make a nice nameless Jedi costume after I'm done with my current ones. :P

On the bottom is the skirt - it's got no wasteband, no hem - it's really not in any sort of wearable condition. It's more like... here, look - a starting point. :P At least the hems are done, and it's not pinned together.

After payday on Thursday I'm headed fabric shopping for replacement stuff. I'm hoping I can get my butt in gear to get this done before D*C (Labor Day), but with all the embroidery (since I want to do front and back) it might not be feasible. Bah.

A good place to start is at the beginning...

Ugh. This costume has been a labor of love, and I've only done the smallest amount of sewing on it thusfar.

Firstly - the skirt. I got it cut and sewn together, but not the waist yet, as i'm not sure how i want to do it. it's got a bit of a wraparound to it, but the skir tis also somewhat poofed out.

I haven't decided yet how to accomplish that, so it's currently pinned to my dressmakers dummy with my dog sleeping right now on the skirt hem, and my rebel fleet trooper shirt/vest topping it off. Niiice.

I dyed the two different textures of fabric i got to match the images, but the dye didn't work as perscribed, and after two attempts i'm going to use it for something else. Probably still even a Jedi outfit, just an original character or something. Maybe I'll dye it all the way black for Bariss or something. But it's too dark now for this costume.

Next steps - off to buy more fabric and get to work on the top. The skirt I think will be the last thing I do. More progress as it comes.