RotJ Luke - Progress Report

Okay, here is my checklist from the Rebel Legion costume standards page for this costume. I'm planning on updating this page as I go along. Wish me luck!

REQUIRED ITEMS

1. Black long-sleeve shirt w/mandarin-type collar, with fold-over bib (w/exposeable section by right shoulder with light grey lining).
2. Black flat front tight-fitting pants with a zipper and fly and black “tuxedo” trim on the side seams.
3. Black leather belt with silver weathered octagonal buckle w/small back pouch.
4. Black equestrian-type knee-high boots.
5. Luke’s ROTJ hero lightsaber hilt.
6. Black leather wrist length right glove.
7. Characters’ hair needs to be a “similar” style to that of Luke Skywalkers’- no buzz cuts or beards also.

RotJ Luke - Fabrics

This costume is basically a whole lot of black on black with a little gray accent. The black is soft and somewhat thick with a soft hand. The gray is hardy, but seems like it will wrinkle easily. I will definitely be interfacing it.

Black Suiting

Self - Black Suiting

Executive Suiting
Color: Caviar
Width: 58 inches
Content: 100% polyester
Care: Machine wash gentle cold, non-chlorine bleach, tumble dry low, cool iron

Gray Twill

Accent - Gray Twill

Famous Maker Solid Stretch Twill
Color: Caviar
Width: 58 inches
Content: 65% cotton, 32% polyester, 3% spandex
Care: Machine wash gentle cold, non-chlorine bleach, line dry, cool iron

RotJ Luke

So I made my Formal Jedi (love it!), but Dash doesn't have anything to wear that compliments it. He likes Han Solo (who can blame him), but there is nothing formal about the roguish smuggler. I considered a black Imperial officer uniform with a Victorian bent, but I couldn't resolve the idea of an Imperial officer taking a Jedi to a party as his plus one. Finally inspiration struck. George resolved my problem for me thirty-two years ago when Luke Skywalker's costume design for Return of the Jedi was based on the Imperial uniform. Eureka.

And so I have resolved to make a Return of the Jedi Luke Skywalker costume for Dash. Rebel Legion costume standard here.

We already got the boots from Todd's Costumes. They were a bit pricey, but I love them. They are gorgeous and are actually tall enough for Dash's legs. They come all the way up to his knees. A miracle in and of itself.

Mara - Finished

So obviously I failed in documenting every step of this process, so feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Here are my submission photos. The lighting and focus is a bit off, but my photographer was six years old, so I really can't complain. I was Rebel Legion approved in January 2015.

     

Dash - Finished

Here he is all finished. Only took a year. And can I just say for the record that I hate cotton gauze. It has the right texture but stretches like no other. I'm never sewing with it again! But he is happy. :)

Formal Jedi Concert Dress

I called this one the Jedi Concert Dress or John Williams Dress. I have a friend who looked it up and down and said, "Formal Jedi." I loved that.

The underdress is bleached premium muslin. It features a fitted bodice and full length skirt with tiers of ruffles. (Thank goodness for ruffler feet.) I cut the fabric strips for the ruffles on the bias so that I wouldn't have to hem them. It is awesomesauce. (In case you are wondering, there is a petticoat under there leftover from my wedding.)

The overdress is gray heather suiting from JoAnn. It is the same fabric I used for my Jedi tunic, just in a different color. I love this material! Though one does have to overcast the edges of every piece after cutting before sewing them together. Small price to pay. The bodice crosses in the front like a typical Jedi tunic. I made the sleeves extra long and wide to add more drama. The waist band is interfaced and closes with snaps. The skirt is mostly straight in the front with some gathers in the back. It opens in the front to show off the tiers of ruffles on the underdress. A clip was sewn into the waistband for attaching my lightsaber.

I designed it in my head a year ago when I found out that the local symphony was going to be performing a Star Wars concert featuring the music of John Williams. The goal was to make a Victorian/Jedi crossover. I'm super happy with how it turned out. It is so fun to wear; and, more than anything, it came out looking just like I pictured. :D