[Classic] Battlestar Galactica uniform update

I'm finally to the point where I can begin on the Battlestar Galactica (BSG) commission. I will be documenting my progress here on my blog. Here is my "Research and Development" installment.

First, I had to dig out all of my research material that I had gleaned or had given to me over the past year or so. Then, I decided to add to it, because the more I dig into the "how" of the uniform construction, the more questions I end up having! I've been able to find images of original uniforms in private collectors' possessions as well as images from the show itself, showing how the uniforms were worn, how they fit each person, how the uniforms adjust to fit differences in size, gender, etc. A good example of the difference in uniform for differing sizes and genders is this picture I found while searching the web:




Here are some of my research materials, gathered over the course of a year or so. On the far right is some of the butter suede fabric I will be using to make my uniform when I get the chance. (I was originally planning on working on the commission [a male uniform] and mine [a female uniform] at the same time, but I won't get an accurate measure of myself as I am currently 18½ weeks pregnant!...I don't recall seeing any pregnant Colonial Warriors, so I'll wait until after the baby comes to work on mine.)




Here is a picture of some of the patterns I had on hand that I used and looked at to help in the pattern making process. Some of them I merely glanced at, while some were used as a base/starting point. Thanks to my Mom, I have a vintage 1970s pants and jacket pattern, so I was able to use the "style of the era" to help influence my pattern making process. Unfortunately, the pattern is only one size, which was 2 sizes smaller than I needed, but it was still very helpful. Also pictured is a sheet of my pattern notes, to be sure I got everything the way it needs to be as I made the pattern as well as the actual construction process.




Here is an image of the patterns for the tunic (left) and pants (right) that I have worked up so far. My next step will be making a mock-up to see how the pattern comes together. I'll work from the mock-up to see if I need to make any changes to my patterns. Hopefully, I have it pretty close and won't need to make any drastic changes.

Padme Aqua Georgette Update

After Halloween, I put my Padme aqua georgette gown aside for a while because I needed some time away from it. The beginning of the year, I decided to pick it back up again. Here are pictures of my progress so far:

Gown Front.

The bodice and gown are sewn together now and I am working on the embroidery down the front of the gown where the georgette parts to reveal the satin beneath it. It was necessary for me to sew the gown together before I could embroider it so I could try it on and hem it. It needed to be hemmed to know where to place the embroidery.

Gown Back.

It was necessary to add a bit of width to the bodice, which won't be seen that well once the drape is in place. I began this gown before I became pregnant, now that I am pregnant certain areas of me have become larger, so I needed to accomodate for that on the gown.

Gown Back with Drape (pinned in place).

The drape will also have a bit of embroidery added to it, though I'm leaving that as my very last step, because the gown could be worn without it...it's not a detail that is very easy to see in the movie.

Gown Side with Drape (pinned in place).

Beads and shells. Headband pieces.

A friend of mine cast a Sculpey master sculpt of mine in resin for me so that each piece of the headband jewelry would be identical. I still need to trim, fill, sand, and clean up the resin peices as well as paint them and add the rinestones.

The beads and shells will be used for the arm gauntlets/sleeves. The shells in the movie version of the costume have a "mother of pearl" sheen to them, so I purchased some acrylic pearlizing medium to paint a shimmer on my plain white shells.

*Note, my gown hasn't been ironed yet, it will look much better once I am finished with the embroidery and have had a chance to iron it.


To see my previous update: click HERE.

The Clone Wars Anakin

My latest commission project that I was able to complete is a Clone Wars [animated] Anakin costume. This one didn't take me long at all, which was perfect because I wanted to finish well before Christmas and I was able to do just that.

The costume has an under tunic in maroon and a surcoat in medium/dark grey. The Maroon is a cotton/poly blend and the grey is a flannel, both of which my client picked out and purchased himself. I think the flannel looks perfect for the surcoat, the sheen of it matches with the computer generated "fabric" really well.

This is what the costume is based off of:

Image property of Lucasfilm Ltd.

Here are some finished pictures of the costume:
*Note: The pictures were taken in front of a window with a lot of snow as a backdrop. As a result, the fabric color got a bit "washed out"

Front view


Front [3/4] view


Side view
(My client requested that I add fuzzy Velcro to the sleeves for the shoulder bells [part of the armor of the costume] to attach to later.)


Back view


Front view with belt
(I put my own Jedi belt on the dress form to help give the costume some shape. This costume definitely needs the belt to make it look just right)


Back view with belt

X-wing Flight Suit

One of my latest finished commissions is a X-wing flight suit. I did my best to research the actual screen-used costumes so that I could reproduce a faithful replica. This is a XXXL, custom fit to the client. Here are pictures of the finished suit:

Front View

Side view, right sleeve

Back view

Side view, left sleeve

Closeup of right sleeve pocket

Closeup of left sleeve pockets

Closeup of sleeve cuff, closed

Closeup of sleeve cuff, open (the original costumes used black Velcro, so I was sure to recreate that)

Closeup of front, upper torso

Closeup of front, lower torso

Closeup of front, upper torso, zipper partially open

Merry Christmas

Here is a quick drawing I did for our Christmas cards this year. I wanted a picture of a newborn that wasn't crying, suckling, or sleeping...which, it turns out, is hard to come by! I finally found one in a magazine (I didn't want to use an image of one of my own kids, that just seems weird to me). This is what I came up with:

Here's wishing everyone a safe and joyous Christmas holiday & may the new year be even better than the last! God bless!

Padme AOTC Packing Gown

Padme's "Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones" Packing Gown:

(Click for larger view)

I have loved this costume since I first saw preview pictures of it before the movie even came out, so it was with delight that I accepted a commission to make the armbands and headpiece jewelry for a woman in Canada. I just finished and mailed them out to her, so I will share the finished pictures (I zipped through the construction of them so fast, I didn't take time to take pictures).

First, some comparison pictures from the real gown. As always, pictures of the actual gown are thanks to Padawan's Guide:

Headpiece jewelry.

Armbands (I noticed that in the museum display, some of the armbands got put on upside down...only a fanatic like me would notice something like that!).

On to my versions, all made using mostly Sculpey III clay:

Headpiece jewelry with flash.

Headpiece jewelry without flash.

Armbands with flash.

Armbands without flash.

Armbands, without flash, lying on table.

Update: The Phantom Menace Battle Padme

Since updates don't bounce up to the top of the list, I'll post about the update I have for the Phantom Menace Battle Padme commission I just finished. You can view the update here.