Costuming a Jedi from Star Wars

With my new Dark Rey costume and our niece’s new Jawa costume, I couldn’t leave my husband out of the Star Wars fun…so I made him a Jedi costume.  I mean, what grown-up wouldn’t want to get dressed up and play with lightsabers?  There are a lot of characters to choose from, but we decided a generic Jedi would be great for him, that way we didn’t have to adhere to any strict screen accuracy expectations.  This would be just for fun!  Below is how I made my husband’s Jedi in about two weeks time.

 

 

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Last month our 13 year old dog Ginger, who was very afraid of thunderstorms, kept me up half the night with her shaking/panting/needing to be held.  While the storm was passing, she and I looked up Rebel Legion (an organization dedicated to the construction and wearing of screen-accurate Star Wars replica costumes) standards, perused blog posts, and shopped on Amazon.  The next day I hit the fabric store for linen and pre-washed everything while waiting for patterns and accessories to arrive.  I followed Rebel Legion standards for fabric/colors and general style, and I followed several of their forum guides for accessories, though I’ll admit to being just fine with some sub-standard accessories in the interest of cost and my limited leather-working skills.  For Jerome’s coloring, I chose a blue-grey, tan, and cream fabric combo that would match a pre-existing pair of pants from his Game of Thrones’ Littlefinger costume.

 

 

I enlisted Jerome’s help with the accessories so we could have everything ready for May the Fourth.  We started with the belt, as leather takes several days (at least) to work into a functional piece.  Following a very useful belt guide on the Rebel Legion forum and Guest Blogger Aimee’s lead on leather patterning from working on her Rey belt and my Dark Rey belt/bracers, I made a pattern for Jerome’s belt to fit his waist, as well as foam patterns for the pouches that would carry our cell phones.  Confirming everything would fit him, we used the foam to cut out the leather and began the staining process.  We stained with one coat of Tandy Leather Eco-Flo Leather Dye in Bison Brown, then a coat of Fiebing’s Pro Dye in Saddle Tan, and sealed with Fiebings Tandy Leathercraft Acrylic Resolene Sealer.

 

 

Still following the Rebel Legion belt guide, we cement bonded and hand stitched each piece according to the guide.  The tools and thread we had on-hand were purchased on Amazon:

• CYD Basic Hand Stiching Leathercraft Set (12 Items)
• 14 Pieces Leather Craft Tool Hand Sewing Needles Upholstery Carpet Leather Canvas DIY Sewing Accessories
• Stormshopping DIY Wood Leathercraft Leather Table Desktop Lacing Stitching Sewing Pony Horse Clamp
• MumCraft Multipurpose Sewing Clips with Tin Box Package, Assorted Colors, Pack of 100

 

 

The snaps, bolts, closures, and “buckle” were also purchased on Amazon:

• 69 Sets Snap Fastener Kit Button Tool Press Studs Fastener Snap on Set by Outee
• LQ Industrial 12 Sets 8x10x10mm Silver Chicago Screws Round Head Button Stud Slotted Screws Nail Rivet For DIY Leather Craft
• Hysagtek 40 Sets Magnetic Button Clasps Snaps Fastener Clasps, 4 Colors (18mm)
• Forney 61289 Double Square Eye Swivel, 3/4-Inch

And to be completely honest, I wished Aimee was here to make this for us.  I’m horribly impatient, which is not a good character trait for leather-working.  The belt is okay at best.  I’m better at sewing…

 

 

THIS part was way easier.  I used the pattern pieces from Simplicity Sewing Pattern 5840 Misses, Men and Teen Costumes, A (XS-S-M-LXL) for the dickie (under tunic) and the tunic.  For the tabard and obi, I followed the Rebel Legion guide that a member around Jerome’s size posted on the forum without any modifications.  We did sew hook-and-eyes at the base of the collar that keeps the tabard from sliding off the shoulders.  I also stitched Velcro to close the tunic, obi, and keep the tabard in place unde the obi in the back.  I reeeeeeeeally like this color combination!

 

 

Since I had extra material from the dickie/under tunic, I made arm wraps/bracers following this how-to on Ohi Cosplay and closed it up with Velcro.  These will only be seen when he’s wielding his lightsaber.  Speaking of lightsaber, Jerome ordered a Sentinel V4 Stunt Saber with a Violet Amethyst blade and Covertec Wheel options and Clip from Ultra Sabers.  I usually dictate the details of most of his costumes, so I think he really enjoyed picking out his handle and blade color himself.  Other accessories for his costume from Amazon were:

• Funtasma by Pleaser Men’s Halloween Walker-130,Brown,S (US Men’s 8-9 M)
• Jedi Food Energy Food Capsules Pellets Set of 8 star wars props

 

 

Jerome wore his Jedi costume at Houston Museum of Natural Science’s May the Fourth party…and had a BLAST!  He plans to wear it to Comicpalooza in Houston this month and DragonCon in Atlanta this September while I wear my Dark Rey costume, Guest Blogger Aimee wears her Rey, and our niece wears her Jawa costume.  Will we see any of you there?

 

Other Star Wars costumes on the blog:

Costuming Rey from Star Wars: Shirt & Pants

Costuming Rey from Star Wars: Jacket & Gauntlets

Costuming Rey from Star Wars: Belt & Accessories

Costuming Dark Rey (Concept) from Star Wars

Costuming a Jawa from Star Wars

 

 

“Adventure. Excitement. A Jedi craves not these things.”  – Yoda

from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

 

For Ginger, who passed away from complications of cancer on Sunday (may she rest in thunderstorm-free peace).  She was by my side supervising the building of this costume, as well as our niece’s Jawa.  We love you and miss you very much, Pretty Girl.