Tuesday, July 28, 2009

X-wing pilot leg flares - first attempt

Ok, well this is my first attempt at making leg flares for my X-wing pilot costume, so its far from perfect, but I think it more or less works.

Firstly, its a bit of a challenge finding all the correct parts to make it, especially:
  • Finding the correct colour webbing to use. I found that an army disposals store was the only place i could find something close.
  • Finding something similar to use as actual flares. I know that other pilots have used dowels with a coat of silver paint, but I prefered to look for something metal.
  • Then coming up with some way to make it all hang together and making it practical at the same time.
This is what I came up with: The flares are actually tent pole joiners, you should be able to get them from most places that sell tent stuff.
Firstly you need to ensure that the webbing is the correct width, in this case approximately 4 inches wide. To achieve this i sewed two pieces together and used the flares as a guide. At this point I also measured the circumference of my leg and sewed on Velcro appropriately.

The next thing that was needed was to mark out where the flares would actually sit with a pencil when evenly spaced.

The next step was to sew on some elastic. The colour isnt actually correct i know, but the intention was to cover the elastic with more webbing, but alas I didnt purchase enough. The trick with sewing elastic for this purpose is to ensure that the flares still fit and will not just fall out as you walk.
Well this is the finished product. Only one problem? There are meant to be 8 Flares not just 6. Doh so I had to do it all again!

Monday, July 27, 2009

Pantoran X-wing Pilot at Scienceworks

Well, this is officially my first Star Wars costume ever. And well its come along way from the first time I tried to do this back in mid June.

At first I wasnt sure if people would get the whole Pantoran X-wing pilot, or if the Rebel Legion would accept it. But I've been formally approved so they must have. I doubt there are too many other female Pantoran X-Wing pilots about, but perhaps with the pantoran presense in "Clone Wars" we may see more.

These are some photos from the weekend at the Star Wars exhibition at Scienceworks (part of Museum Victoria) I brought in my lightsaber as the kids really got a kick out of light sabers even though it really doesnt go with the costume. So i guess im a Jedi/Pilot in these shots? :-)

I still need to finish off my Helmet. When I registered with the Legion it was all intact, but as it was a rubies helmet, it was in Luke Skywalker's colours, so I recently redid it with blue Pantoran markings. I will post its progress shortly, was its almost complete.

There is also the question of the leg flares. I havent got enough (shock horror)