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Post by Cara Drume on Oct 3, 2005 20:34:59 GMT -5
Undfortunately, I can't shop online. Don't mean to sound negative, but shopping online is impossible for me. I have neither a checking account nor a credit bard (BLAH! ) Any ideas that would be a plausible alternative for wool? Besides, if I wore wool out here in the desert, (aside from in winter,) I'd pull a complete meltdown! Thanks for the clairification, though! You have given me at least some hope...
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Post by Cara Drume on Oct 7, 2005 0:32:05 GMT -5
Costume Update!!! I've just finished dying the trouser I'd bought to a nice shade just a little darker than Cocoa Brown. It was quicker and less expensive than waiting for a pair of the same pants to come in in the right color. Tomorrow I'm going to start shopping for the remainder of my costume materials...at least everything but the fabric for the surcoat. That stuff has got me completely stumped...
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Post by Cara Drume on Oct 7, 2005 10:18:04 GMT -5
Okay, here I go again... I know I've posted three times in a row, but evidently most people have no clue what character I'm talking about...but that's okay. I don't like being the center of attention. I'm going to go shopping for what I can today, and wait for alternative suggestions on the wool part before getting the fabric for the surcoat. I've decided to make the lightsaber out of PVC pipe for now, using those tutorials that were posted a while back. My dad is very much interested in this part and wants to help. Well, off I go! I'd say wish me luck, but then, there's no such thing as luck.... PS The trousers turned out a little lighter than I wantd them, but I'll put up with them for now. I'm giving myself a little leeway since this is my first costume...
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Post by Ani-Chay Pinn on Oct 7, 2005 19:07:27 GMT -5
Cotton twill is one alternative to wool for the robe. It's heavier than thin cotton and looks sturdy. I don't know how much it would be where you are; I got mine for $3-4/yd on sale, but that was in the spring when they were getting rid of their heavier fabrics. I got away with 5+ yards of it, but the sleeves are sewn on separately, so I could use smaller pattern pieces and I'm short.
One thing to avoid for the robe is anything with stretch to it. Since the robe is so big, any stretch would make it sag. But a little stretch in the undertunic is good for making it fit better. There is plenty of stretch-weave, 100% cotton around, t-shirt material.
In general, cotton is the best and most common alternative. It's all natural, so more comfortable to wear. The features to look for are always solid browns(from cream to chocolate) in a coarse weave or at lease a plain weave. Even cottons that are stiff when you buy them soften up when you pre-wash (always ask the people there what they know about it). But heavy muslin is almost always too stiff to do anything with and thin muslin is too transparent.
How'd the shopping go?
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Post by Cara Drume on Oct 7, 2005 20:09:23 GMT -5
The shopping went better than I expected! My first stop was the local fabric store to look for some fabric for the tunic. Unfortunately, they don't have that 'crinkly' cotton around except in early to mid-summer, and raw silk was out of stock. I couldn't find any linen at all. But I did find some nice muslin that isn't too stiff. I'll have to get a lining fabric for it, since it is thin, but not right now. Having a tight budget already, I'm kind of pinched after my shopping spree. I also found a kimono patttern that would be farly easy to modify. I figure just make it a little less loose and put normal sleeves on instead of the wide wones. My next stop was Wal-Mart to look for some boots. They had some beautiful creamy beige boots that were only about thirty-five bucks...but here comes the torturous part. They were only mid-calf length, PLUS, they didn't have any with flat heels either half size bigger or smaller than my feet! I've already checked out Payless, too. Sometimes I think it's the girls with either the big or small feet that get all the breaks... Next it was off to Home Depot for lightsaber materials. I've decided to make a variation on one of those PVC lightsabers until I can afford a machined one. (source: www.doughie-doright.com/tutorial.html ) I found all I needed but one of the end plugs, which they were out of, and the furniture tack, I couldn't find. I didn't get the main body for it because it would be rather cumbersome to carry a twelve-foot peice of PVC onto the bus... Next was Radio Shack for that little LED box thingey that has about eight little red bars on it. It won't light up, though. This saber is just going to be a prop. Last but not least, I visited Goodwill to see if I could find any nice, weathered leather straps or something that I could use for a belt. Surprise-surprise! I found not one, but twobelts!!! One is extremely thick (about a 1\4 inch) and fairly wide; perfect for the bigger belt. The other is thinner and narrower and just the right size for the narrow belt. The thinner one is weathered just enough to look cool. Both belts are very close in color; somewhere between 'regular' brown and a rich burnt sienna. They look awesome next to each other. I've already started working on my belt. ;D All in all, I got some great stuff and only spent about forty-five dollars. Twill or just plain cotton? Thanks! I was wondering about twill, since JoAnn Fabrics has some brown twill that would look pretty good. Sorry for my rambling! It's just that I'm so excited; especially about finding the stuff for my belt. Thanks for your help! When I get the chance, I'll start documenting my costumes' progress with pictures.
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Post by LoreenShadowchaser on Oct 8, 2005 3:00:03 GMT -5
That's great! You are on your way!
But, I have to question your "measurement" of the belt thickness. 1/4"?!? Do you know how thick that really is? I don't think I've ever seen a belt or strap that thick! 1/8", yes, but never 1/4"
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Post by Cara Drume on Oct 8, 2005 20:34:23 GMT -5
Whoops! Sorry about that mismeasurement. Guess I just got a little carried away. Just measured it; it's 1/8". Here's another costume update! Due to the afore-mentioned hard-to-find wool, I've gone with just a simple cotton fabric. It was the thickest I could get without breaking the bank. In other words, it's thinner than twill, but thicker than broadcloth; just about in the middle. I'd have gotten twill, but that stuff was $6.99 a yard! Yikes!!! I only had about fifty-five dollars to work with; and that's for boots, fabric, and the remainder of my lightsaber! So needless to say, I went with what I could afford. The cotton's kinda stiff, but that should disappear after the first prewash. Right? I also got some softer fabric for the lining of the tunic. I made another attempt to find some inexpensive boots, but again, it was a no-go. I tried another Payless store and then went to Target, but the only boots I could find were either midcalf or boots with heels. ARGH! I feel like wringing the shoemakers' necks. I know I shouldn't give up yet, but I feel like I'm being backed into a corner. Ugh. I think I'll try Ross and the local Boot Barn next. That's all I could do for today. Because of my taking the buses, even getting the things I need is an uphill battle. I think I may end up spending $100 on this costume; minimum. Now I know why being a SW fan is so expensive! I only hope I can get this thing done before the DVD comes out!
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Post by Olos Nay on Oct 8, 2005 21:53:39 GMT -5
100$ for a jedi costume isn't all that bad, really... you should ask people around here how much they DID spent on their costume... for boots, you'll get lucky *once*... its with luck. I got mine on a closing shoestore, I was really looking for female shoes from which salvage the buckles (that was no-go, but they DID have men's boot, only my size, proper color and height.... for 50$) See the results: I'm still trying my luck for my girlfriend's padmé boots for halloween but its not all easy so we might end up spending a little more For my jedi, I've gotten lucky: the fabric for the tunic is salvaged from old flour pouches (really - couldn't find appropriate fabric, and during a visit to my mom, got back with 5-10 flour sacks) The robe fabric was syntetic fabric on rebate: about 15$ worth of fabric - a joke, and ennough extra for the inner tunic. The pants are, well, cargopants... The lightsaber hilt wasn't all too expansive, but the electronics is worth more then all the rest of the costume itself. All to say you should exercice the Jedi art of patience. Building your jedi outfit won't be achieve in a single week-end, and you really shouldn't rush yourself into that. I know you want to finish it, but let's quote: Patience little padawan, patience.
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Post by Ani-Chay Pinn on Oct 8, 2005 22:43:41 GMT -5
The belts are a terrific find and get you through one of the hard parts of the costume. The cotton should soften up in the wash, but don't leave it in the dryer; cotton can get wrinkled fast. The cut of the robe is more important than the material. If you're paying more, better to go to the wool anyway.
The boots are always tough. There are so many useless, high-healed boots out there! Jedi don't wear heels and my feet are allergic to pain anyway. Have you seen anything at any thrift stores? Sometimes you can get lucky there. What size are you looking for?
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Post by Cara Drume on Oct 8, 2005 23:10:34 GMT -5
Olos: yes, Master! I tell that to my bro so much he gripes at me! Ani: I've checked out Goodwill already; I'm going to look at Salvation Army and this local thrift store about the size of Wal-Mart. I'm looking for size 8 1/2 womens'...wide, if possible. Narrow shoes make me feet hurt.
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Post by Cara Drume on Oct 13, 2005 21:26:16 GMT -5
Costume Update!!!No luck at Salvation Army OR American Way! Ugh. I came awfully close to finding a good pair of boots at the latter... There were two pairs I was looking at. One was a pair of rain boots that were sort of a maroony-brown. The other was a pair of burnt orange/tan boots that had a sheepskin cuff, but that could be cut off. And wouldn't'cha know it? The first ones were a size too small (and narrow besides) and the second pair had heels. Ugh! Heels are the bane of human existence! (in costuming, anyway...) On a better note, I have all I need for my lightsaber, save for the hardware for activation switches and blade adjust knobs. There's the perfect knob for the blade-adjust right here in the house...but it's on a working lamp in the office/den and my dad would kill me if i took apart something that we were using. My saber hilt construction is going better than anticipated. I've already trimmed the PVC to length and begun making the pommel. The fabric part of my costume has to wait until my mom has enough time to teach me how to use the sewing machine...plus the pattern for the surcoat hasn't been made yet... I'm kinda stuck at the buckle for my belt. Would a dog-chain clip work? Sorry for the long post; just felt I needed to keep you updated.
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Post by Leda EmBorr on Oct 13, 2005 22:16:31 GMT -5
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Post by Cara Drume on Oct 14, 2005 9:00:39 GMT -5
Great! I've got a faux silver buckle, but the leather's too thick to go through. Oh...THAT kind of dog-clip. *sigh* I guess the other kind would look kinda dorky, huh? Oh, well. I think they have them at Home Depot. Back to the hardware store!
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JediKai
Message Board Member
TJA Savior
Posts: 5,560
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Post by JediKai on Oct 14, 2005 11:09:50 GMT -5
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Post by Cara Drume on Oct 14, 2005 19:33:08 GMT -5
D'oh! *slaps forehead* And how many times have I walked right by those very buckles in JoAnns'...? Argh! Hey, I think I have the thinner one already! Let me check... *runs to look* Oh, Sithspit. Same color, wrong size. Mine's about 1/4" too big. But now I know what to look for! Kai, you're a lifesaver! Thank you sooo much!
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