Since I was a little girl, a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, Darth Vader was one of my favorite characters. Now that I’m a grown costuming woman with moderate sewing skills, I can’t help but recreate this iconic and beloved character in my own way. Preparing for Costume College with my friend Tina, we decided at the very last moment to make “afternoon tea” versions of Darth Vader and Han Solo for afternoon tea at Costume College. I hand-sewed a statement necklace and belt in his image, and accessorized the rest of the costume with Amazon and Etsy finds. Here’s how I put together this last minute costume, including the pattern to the necklace and belt that I digitized for anyone to use.
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While I anxiously awaited materials to arrive from Amazon (yes, just 2-day Prime, and no, I don’t have patience), I sketched out how I wanted the statement necklace and belt to look. I used scrap black satin, lace, and ribbon to create the base I would sew the rhinestones, jewels, and beads onto.
I purchased a wide variety of sew-on flat back rhinestones to create the look. I used teardrop rhinestones in black and silver black (50Pcs Teardrop Sew on Rhinestones Crystal AB Glass Flatback Rhinestone for Crafts Clothing Wedding Dress Decoration,11x18mm Black) for the top section of the necklace, two packages of mixed color rectangle (Sew On Rectangle Rhinestone Sew on Octagon Crystal Rhinestones in Silver Setting 36 Pcs by Choupee (Mixed Color, 13 X 18 MM)) and diamond (Choupee 130PCS Sew on Glass Rhinestones Mix Shape) crystals for the bottom section of the necklace and the belt, and a variety of black faceted beads (120Pcs Amazing Different Sizes All Stars Faceted Mirror Black Gems Beads Rhinestones Sewing for DIY Costume Decorations) for more sparkle. If you do the math (I wish I hadn’t) you’ll see I spent about $80 on these jewels and I have a lot leftover for other projects. But I don’t regret the money spent, I love the results!
I had the most fun spacing the jewels out on the patterns I sketched out, and just as much fun sewing them in place by hand. It was surprisingly therapeutic, despite how many times I pricked my fingers and bled on the pieces. I sewed the paper pattern directly to the backing and did each section at a time. I think it took a week to sew everything in place, including the wee little Czech bugle seed beads at the bottom of the necklace (Pandahall 1250pcs/50g Silver Lined Glass Bugle Beads 6×1.8mm Clear Tube Loose Glass Seed Spacer Bead for Jewelry Making (FloralWhite)).
I purposely made the necklace and belt unattached to any garment so I can wear them with any style of dress (or even jeans without the belt!), and so I can wear the dress (Dressystar DS1956 Women Vintage 1950s Retro Rockabilly Prom Dresses Cap-Sleeve (Large, Black)) with other costumes or not as a costume at all. I wore a petticoat (GRACE KARIN Vintage Womens 50s Rockabilly Tutu Skirt Petticoat Black Size L) underneath the dress, a fun cape blazer (ASMAX HaoDuoYi Women Casual Open Front Cape Longline Blazer (Medium, Black)), and cute wrist gloves (Sumind Women’s Floral Lace Gloves Vintage Opera Gloves Elegant Short Gloves Fingerless Gloves for 1920s Opera Parties（Black 4,Wrist Length)). The fascinator hat was an Etsy find from one of my favorite hat shops, RealHousewifeHats.
I’m in love with the classic simplicity of this costume/outfit and I had so much fun wearing it to afternoon tea at Costume College. It was even comfortable, and that is rare! Minus the heels, it would be fun to Disneybound in it as well. I can’t wait to wear it again! I digitized the necklace and belt patterns and posted the PDF link below. If you make it yourself, please share and tag me on social media @redshoesredwine so I can see your lovely creation!
Afternoon Tea Darth Vader statement necklace and belt patterns: DarthSparkleRSRW.pdf
This is beautiful! I hope to recreate something similar for my upcoming Disneyland trip. Thank you for posting, and for sharing your template!
You’re very welcome Jessica! I’m about to remake my black dress for a future disney trip myself. Hope you have all the fun! 🖤