15 replies to this topic

[Last_Chael]

I needed a bit of advice on drafting my pattern for my jedi vest thing that I'm doing instead of tabbards.

Basically it will be a sleeveless tunic, with two splits front and back (over the legs, where the crossovers are) so it will look like tabbards, but more feminine.

So my questions is, can I just use my jedi tunic pattern or should I draft a whole new pattern. I'd prefer to just use my tunic pattern, not adding the sleeves, modifying the neckline to be lower, and adding the splits. That would mean I wouldn't need to do a new mock-up, and thus saving me time

Also, my vest will be longer than the tunic, down to my knees, creating a sort of dress look. I wanted to weight the hems of the vest (and also my robe) to create that nice flow. But I've not weighted anything before, so I'm not sure where they need to be placed, or how many I need. Any ideas?

[Starfire Phoenix]

That sounds about right to me. See how it goes with your mock up, but it should give you a good starting point.

What fabric are you using for them?

I've not weighted anything before either, so I can't help you there, sorry!

[Last_Chael]

Awesome, thanks!

The mock-up I did for the tunic turned out great, I was very happy with the look. I think I should jsut need to add a little extra so that it fits over the other one, and make the neckline a little deeper, and probably the armholes deeper as well.

I'm using the crinkle brown fabric, I'm thinking it will need to be lined, as it's a little thin. I'll either self-line or line it with the linen I used on my robe. Jsut to make sure it has enough body to it.

I'm not sure whether I should line the sleeves of my tunic. I'm using crinkle white cotton, it's really quite thin and transparent. I'm defiantely lining the body, but I wasn't sure if the sleeves would be ok unlined?

that's ok, Ill figure it out!

I'm also cutting out my obi. I found the most beautiful fat quarter to use. It's a mottled grass and forest green with deep green vines all over it. It really matches the whole outfit, with the brown and green theme I was going for. It's kind of a forest type theme really. I think Leia suits the forest I'll be lining it with the linen, and possibly interlining it to make it wit nicely. I'm going to get some brown leather cord to use as a tie, and I'm making it more like those obi belts you see in stores at the moment, with the ties coming around the front, crossing over and being tied at the back. I'm not having a belt at this stage, as I don't have anything to put on it yet! Maybe later!

[Starfire Phoenix]

Sounds nice! If you think the sleeves will be too thin, then definitely line them. Remember, that the crinkle cotton will stretch a lot.

[Toddi]

Sounds interesting! I look forward to seeing your robes and greeting you with the obligatory Jedi bow

[Last_Chael]

Thanks SP! I think the sleeves should be fine with just the one layer, plus it will help to keep me cool with allt he layers I'll be wearing. I'm definately finding this crinkle stuff a little hard to work with. Actually the white crinkle cotton is fine, it's the crushed broderie I'm having trouble with! But I'll struggle through!

Thanks Toddi, I look forward to meeting you! I wish I had a really good reference for Leia's jedi robes, but I'm pretty happy with the ones I've come up with. Most people won't realise I'm Leia, but at least I will be a recognisable jedi! I'll be in my jedi on Sunday

[El Presidente]

I wanted to weight the hems of the vest (and also my robe) to create that nice flow. But I've not weighted anything before, so I'm not sure where they need to be placed, or how many I need. Any ideas?

I've seen two sorts of weights used - one is little wheat-seed-sized pellets of lead enclosed in a tight fabric tube, that you would lay in the hem of a garment, or the edge of a cowl neckline. The other is circular lead weights about the size of a 20c piece. These are most commonly used in curtains, either dropped straight into the hem at the corners, or (the more expensive ones) sewn into a little pocket/envelope of muslin and then that's sewn to the inside corner before the hem is done. I've also seen these on extant Victorian era dresses, when they wanted to weight ends of sashes.

You should be able to get them from the furnishing fabrics section of Spotlight, but an alternative is to use washers (of a similar size) from the hardware store.

[Last_Chael]

Thanks! I got some flat fishing sinkers to try, they're not too expensive. They'll be good for my robe! Might not do them for Nova though. I'm thinking I'll test it out, see if I do need weights, and get a feel for how it moves.

[DonnaLee]

Can I ask how people made their inner tunic, patterns? I just bought Simplicity pattern 5840 here and it just has a dickey for the under tunic - which is fine for my son but I would like to make a 'proper' one.

I was thinking of drafting up a V neck 't-shirt' but making the front with 2 separate halves and extend the 'v' to over lap. I am happy with the pattern for the over tunic, just making it more of a T tunic.

[Starfire Phoenix]

My inner tunic pattern was adapted from a cross over shirt pattern. I then adapted my undertunic pattern for my overtunic pattern. I found the tunic patterns far too baggy for my shape.

I made a fake undertunic for MS - we used a bonds t-shirt as the base, then added sleeves, and the collar.

There's a thread on the Rebel Legion where people talk about what they did: http://www.rebellegion.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10906

Here's a tutorial (with lots of pics) too: http://grannys-costumes.blogspot.com/2008/...undertunic.html

[DonnaLee]

My inner tunic pattern was adapted from a cross over shirt pattern. I then adapted my undertunic pattern for my overtunic pattern. I found the tunic patterns far too baggy for my shape.

I made a fake undertunic for MS - we used a bonds t-shirt as the base, then added sleeves, and the collar.

There's a thread on the Rebel Legion where people talk about what they did: http://www.rebellegion.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10906

Here's a tutorial (with lots of pics) too: http://grannys-costumes.blogspot.com/2008/...undertunic.html

Thanks that is a great start.

[Merrick]

I've done exactly what Starfire did for her fella. I used a brown long sleeve shirt that to which I added a tunic style collar.
My over tunic was actually a heavily modified kimono pattern from the interweb.

[Thrawn70]

That tutorial is great Starfire. How simple but so effective. That's how I like making costumes.

[Starfire Phoenix]

I should point out, that's not my tutorial. That's Granny-Wan's from the Rebel Legion. Tutorials with lots of pics are awesome. I love them too It's been ages since I've been able to write a detailed one though. It's something I would like to do more though.

[Last_Chael]

I used a wrap shirt for my tunic as well. It has shaping darts in the waist, so it's more form fitting.

Oh and don't forget Alison's fantastic Robe tutorial!! That's how I made mine; it is so simple to follow

[DonnaLee]

I should point out, that's not my tutorial. That's Granny-Wan's from the Rebel Legion. Tutorials with lots of pics are awesome. I love them too It's been ages since I've been able to write a detailed one though. It's something I would like to do more though.

Yes you should have seen my disappointed face when I looked on your site for something on tunics LOL

I used a wrap shirt for my tunic as well. It has shaping darts in the waist, so it's more form fitting.

Oh and don't forget Alison's fantastic Robe tutorial!! That's how I made mine; it is so simple to follow

I will use the 'T-shirt' method for my son and the wrap shirt for myself - thanks again.