70th Explorers Garrison: Forums

Hello,

Well, I decided to start putting together a Vader costume. Its going to be an ESB/ROTJ style. The hard parts that I cannot make, I have ordered from various suppliers. I can make all the soft parts myself, so I have them listed as "in progress."

UPDATE!!!!! FINISHED!!!!!

RISE LORD VADER.....




Regards,

good luck, now there is someone closer to st. louis to do their events, that 200 mile one way drive is a killer. with gas prices, you have to be realistic in how far someone can drive to do these, it all adds up.

timbremer wrote:good luck, now there is someone closer to st. louis to do their events, that 200 mile one way drive is a killer. with gas prices, you have to be realistic in how far someone can drive to do these, it all adds up.

And I thank you for all your efforts. You have been a big help in having Vader present when we need him.

i have enjoyed all the events that i have done up to now and do look forward to any other events i can attend, the bad thing is like everyone, money as in i don't have much if for nothing else than take pictures. i would like to go to every event in character or not, doesn't matter to me. but the global recession we are facing is forcing me to be a little pickier on how i spend it. as much as i like to see happy kids, like rhonda said once life happens. sorry to sound preachy, just wanted to explain what i meant before, i didn't want to sound like i was a whiner.......

Tim,

I hear what you are saying and I can't thank you enough for the times I have seen you drive a great distance to be "Vader."

I finished making the inner robe last night and I have to say, I think it turned out really well.

The helmet is supposed to arrive today. So progress continues.....

Regards,

if you could send me some pictures of the inner robe, i am always curious in how other do things to improve on mine, did you use wool or something else, i used wool from an online fabric store it was a crepe wool fabric not itchy at all.

Tim,

I will be happy to get some photos as soon as possible. I used a suit material (a wool like material). I know they used wool in the movies, but I wanted something a little lighter but still flowed well.

And it was on sale at the Fabric store!

The best feature with the robe I did was sewing in some pleets (sp?), so that whenever I put it on the cloth will look uniform and not just cinched up.

I just picked up my helmet at FedEx. I have to say it looks really cool! The small crack in the back looks to be some kind of pressure crack, but its hardly noticeable. It doesnt even justify a repaint at this point. The only thing that will need some work will be the inside of the dome. The ring that goes around the two mounting blots is almost completely broken away, so the dome rocks alot on top of the face. Im thinking I may have to rebuild the ring somehow or maybe just add some industrial velcro on the top.

The size of the helm is HUGE! Granted I have a small head and it looks really big on me. When I get the costume finished, it will hopefully proportion out well.

Progress continues.....

Regards,

How exciting! I can't wait to see pictures of the progress.

Questions for Ral or anyone that might have answers...

Does the cape have to have the satin lining to pass 501st standards?

Is the satin lining required for the robes as well?

Will the handle from an FX lightsaber pass 501st standards?

Regards,

try fiberglas resin at an oreillys or autozone for the helmet ring, ral would know but i do remember there being a requirement for a satin lined cape but it isn't required on the inner robe. i don't remember there being a requirement for an lightsaber handle at all? the 501st home page under the sith lords forms has all the requirements for darth, they have been talking about some updates so a look there might be a good idea, it was under units i think.

Tim,

Thanks for the info. I have posted those same questions under the SithLord Detachment.

Some of the requirements are a little ambiguous and the discussions put some of them as questionable.

Regards,

Well, I finished the cape last night. It is satin lined and man is it heavy!

I think I may need to make a summer version for the warmer months though.

Im waiting on the neck chain which should be arriving in the mail, but besides that its finished and ready to go.

Progress continues....

you will, i can tell you noah would testify that during those summer events i had sweat running down my shoulder armor and running into my chest box. even with sweat bans and a dew rag on my head, and usually my back was sore after a couple of hours in it along with a sore neck, i feel for david prowse being in that and under studio lights.
but it is all for a good cause!

Email sent!

Vader is a HOT costume to wear. Hence, I went with a lighter material to create my cape and under robe. I also went with a suiting material...it's light, breathes well and flows when you walk. All my gear is Portumac.

I want to say the satin lining, around the edge of the cape, came around during ESB(EPV)/ROTJ(EPVI). I don't think the SW(EPIV) Vader had a satin lining around the edge of the cape. I'm not totally positive the ROTS(EPIII) Vader had a satin lining around the edge of the cape either. The best scene to see the satin lining on the edge of the cape is in ESB(EPV) when Vader is speaking to the Bounty Hunters. There's a great snippet. Check it out. Notice I say satin lining around the edge of the cape a lot.

Also, the hilt from the FX saber should suffice. I don't think this is one of those items the legion gets totally hung up on due to the small visibility of just a hilt hanging from the belt...unless it's a total frankenstein build.

I also have to agree with timbremer, I'm always stiff and sore after wearing Vader. I think it has to do with the constriction on the shoulders from the chest armor and of course; the huge, heavy ass bucket on top of your head.

Good luck with your quest, mate! Vader is a popular costume among all our fanbase.