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.

     

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

Mara - Fabrics

With Arix's costume done, I purchased fabrics for mine and Dash's costumes. Woo-hoo. I will but putting his fabrics in a separate post.

Sew Classic Knits Reverse Heathered Knit

Color: Ivory

Width: 56 inches
Content: 70% rayon, 28% polyester, 2% spandex
Care: Machine wash cool delicate, No chlorine bleach, Line dry

Source: JoAnn (link)

Use: Inner tunic

Sew Classics Shirting Stretch Poplin

Color: Potting Soil

Width: 50 inches
Content: 97% cotton, 3% spandex
Care: Machine wash cool delicate, No chlorine bleach, Line dry

Source: JoAnn (link)

Use: Lining

Sew Classics Suitings Fabric

Color: Brown Heather

Width: 57 inches
Content: 100% polyester
Care: Machine wash cool delicate, No chlorine bleach or Fabric softener, Tumble dry low, Cool iron

Source: JoAnn (link)

Use: Outer tunic, tabards, obi

Sew Classic Amaretto Linen Look Solid Fabric

Color: Black

Width: 54 inches
Content: 50% polyester, 50% rayon
Care: Machine wash cold delicate, No chlorine bleach, Tumble dry low, Remove promptly

Source: JoAnn (link)

Use: Robe

Mara - Boots

On Saturday I went to my local thrift store, looking for buckles for Jedi belts. As I was pursuing the racks of shoes and purses looking for interesting buckles, I spied a pair of rich dark brown leather boots with a low heel, round toe, and inside zipper. They looked like they had been worn only once or twice.

I got over my surprise at finding such a quality item and tried them on. Surprise turned to shock when they actually fit! My shoe size is 8 1/2 WIDE. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find cute shoes in a wide width? Especially when one believes that her shoes should look like this:

But I digress. I found these boots. They were $16.26. I bought them. I have Jedi boots. Done.

(I think I am going to find some skinny pants to wear with my costume and attach stirrups to the cuffs to keep them smooth. I hate it when my pants bunch up around the top of my shoes.)

Lightsaber - Hilt

As of today, my hilt is complete! (Scroll down for parts list.)

Most of the pieces screw together, but I did need a few tools to finish it off. Namely, the 4-40 button head screw for the activation box needs a 1/16" allen wrench, and the 8-32 socket head screw for the Covertec wheel needs a 9/64" allen wrench. Of course I could not find our set of allen wrenches. So off I went to Home Depot.

I purchased the SAE Short Arm Hex Key Set (10-Piece) for $4.97+tax.

SAE Short Arm Hex Key Set (10-Piece)

I purchased this set for three reasons. 1) This set included the 1/16" and 9/64" wrenches I needed. 2) It was only five bucks. 3) The short wrenches will fit easily in a pouch on my belt so I can carry them with me in case I ever need to tighten something while on the road. That third one was more of a bonus, really.

The other tool I needed was a pair of round nose jewelry pliers. These can be found at any craft store (or Walmart) on the beads aisle for less than $10.

(click for larger image)

I used these to get that little bugger of a C-clip in place to hold the insert in the pommel. I have read that they are a pain to get in. It was a little difficult and took a few tries, but I got it in place and I highly doubt I will ever attempt to take it out. It certainly is never coming out on its own. I can't imagine trying to get it in without these pliers.

Finally, you may have noticed that I ordered a hole to be drilled and tapped for my blade retention screw, but I did not order the screw. The 8-32 x .3" anodized thumb screw that I want is on back order. This isn't a big deal to me. I'll order it with my blade, which won't be for a while yet.

Overall I am very happy. I love how the main section of the hilt turned out with the warlock gray powder coat stripes, activation box and anti vandal switch. Although, I was hoping the sun gold powder coating on the pommel, choke and blade holder would be a metallic gold. It is more metallic mustard yellow. This is not a criticism of the product. It looks very nice, it just isn't quite what I was hoping for. May be one day I will order the same parts in black or something. That is the beauty of the modular hilt system. I can switch out parts as often as I like. :)

My parts list is as follows (copied from Lightsaber page):

Hilt (Use the MHS Builder to choose your main hilt pieces.)
Hilt style 3
MHS choke style 3
MPS pommel style 4
MHSV1 Blade Holder Style 12
MPS insert style 7
MPS clip (C-clip)
Activation box style 9
16mm Anti Vandal Short Momentary White Ring Switch
2.1mm Power Jack
Kill plug style 5 (color: none)
4-40 Button Head Screw
Machined button for Covertec clip (a.k.a. Covertec wheel)
8-32 x 1/4" socket head screw
Covertec clip

Services - Powder Coat (Use the MHS Builder to order the powder coating.)
Pommel powder coating (PM41) - Sun Gold
Choke powder coating (CH31) - Sun Gold
Blade Holder powder coating (B122) - Sun Gold
Main body powder coating (SH33) - Warlock Gray

Services - Drilling
Box 9,10, and 17 Mounting holes service
Drill & Tap Hole - 8-32, covertec clip
Drill & Tap Hole - 8-32, blade retention screw

My Lightsaber

Having a high quality weapon is the dream of any Star Wars fanboy or fangirl. Back in June I designed my own custom lightsaber from The Custom Saber Shop (TCSS). After a few weeks, I ordered the parts for the hilt. Blade, lights and sound will come in time as funds become available.

This rendering was generated by TCSS's MHS Builder. That program is a lot of fun to play around with. I think she is quite beautiful. I think I'm going to name her Aria.

On a more personal note, I have been working with TCSS's owner, Tim, and he is awesome. He has been patiently working with me to figure out the placement of my blade retention screw. A stupid, little thing; but I am really appreciating how much he cares and wants to get it right. Kudos to you, Tim!