WIP X-wing pilot In Omaha

gulywhumpr (James) · Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 1:15 am Post subject: WIP X-wing pilot In Omaha

Hi everyone, I found an orange flight suit at a surplus store today. Can I get some official (and non official) opinions on what needs to be changed in this flight suit to meet the requirements? Thanks.

To see my new flight suit go here:
http://wookiecostuming.wordpress.com/x-wing-pilot/

If you click on the photos they will enlarge. Thanks again.
_________________
http://wookiecostuming.wordpress.com/

the.rebel.agent () · Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 4:58 pm Post subject:

Yeah, my humble opinion is that will do the trick once you remove all those extra pockets and add the right ones. The color looks spot on. Good find! Ben

WedgeAntilles (James Norman) · Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 5:44 pm Post subject:

I'm going to be the bearer of bad news here, I read through your blog and you have several misconceptions about the xwing flightsuit.

First off, if you didn't buy two flightsuits, you need to go back and buy a second with matching fabric to cannibalize for the pockets and details you'll need to add to the flight suit. Working over a real flight suit is really not a great way to go, you would have much better success with orange coveralls as they are much closer in structure than these are.

Every pocket on that flightsuit has to go and every zipper that's not the main frontal zipper.

And unfortunately that "mandarin collar" is also not acceptable and would need to be replaced. It needs to look like this:

_________________
James Norman
TK-8114-MWG

gulywhumpr (James) · Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 6:35 pm Post subject:

I was planning to get a second flight suit to cannibalize for pockets. The additional zippers are easily removed and sewn up, and the patterns for the official X-wing pockets that someone has on this forum would cover almost all of the original pockets anyway so it should be easy to convert. Also, making the official X-wing collar would be a snap. Thanks for the official judgement. I really don't want to do a lot of work and be told it's wrong, and if it's not possible to convert then a basic coverall is easy enough to buy. I appreciate your help.
_________________
http://wookiecostuming.wordpress.com/

gulywhumpr (James) · Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 2:44 am Post subject:

First off, thanks to those of you on the X-wing forum who have provided answers to my questions (especially, Wedge and JediXXL) you have been a great help. I have cut apart a second flight suit for use in making the new pockets, I made patterns from the Rebel Legion pocket patterns, and I made a new collar to fit the screen versions.

I have ordered a compad and until it arrives I do not have the compad pocket on my suit. I have that pocket made and cut out, it's just waiting for the compad. I will probably also add some elastic stirrups to the bottoms of the pant legs to keep the suit legs down inside the boots and prevent bunching at the top of the boots. I will also order some official data cylinders to replace my "screen accurate" spoons (I just wanted to show the pockets).

On the tool pocket, there are some dark spots which are the guidelines that I drew using a fabric pen and they will wash out.
_________________
http://wookiecostuming.wordpress.com/

JediXXL (Gil Guemes) · Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 3:08 am Post subject:

EDIT Gil: James, I'm going to merge your WIP threads so you have all of your information in one place.

gulywhumpr (James) · Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 4:00 am Post subject:

Thanks for merging, Gil, and thanks for posting closeup photos of your harness. I am going to begin that tomorrow.
_________________
http://wookiecostuming.wordpress.com/

gulywhumpr (James) · Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 3:14 pm Post subject:

I finished the harness today, except for adding the velcro. Webbing is the 2 inch silver/grey from strapworks.com. I have a lot of webbing left over for making the belt, but first I will need to buy the buckle.

_________________
http://wookiecostuming.wordpress.com/

gulywhumpr (James) · Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2013 4:36 am Post subject:

Started working on my flak vest tonight, by sketching out the front and back patterns. I am putting a 1 inch margin around each side so that I can fold to edge over to make a nice smooth edging that will cover all the ribbing and folds.

I also got the compad in the mail and was able to sew it into the pocket.

_________________
http://wookiecostuming.wordpress.com/

gulywhumpr (James) · Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 4:01 pm Post subject:

The roll-pin buckle came in the mail, but it had anodized gold on it so I treated it with Easy-off oven cleaner, waited 10 minutes, and then wiped off the gold. Now the buckle is silver, but a little dirty looking, good for the Star Wars universe. I sewed on the silver webbing that I had left over from the ejection harness. Finished belt:

_________________
http://wookiecostuming.wordpress.com/

HazardThree (Jon Paulson) · Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2013 4:08 pm Post subject:

Great tip on the Easy-Off oven cleaner!
_________________
Jon Paulson • Cmdr. Tag "HazardThree" Greenly
SCO Hazard Squadron (Founder '05)
Past Service: DCO RLSC (Pilot Detachment 2009-2016); Legion Costume Judge - Pilots (2007-2016)

JediXXL (Gil Guemes) · Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2013 9:58 pm Post subject:

Just remember to wear gloves when using "Easy-off"
_________________
Proud U.S. Army Veteran
There is NO Orange Mafia

HazardThree (Jon Paulson) · Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2013 10:47 pm Post subject:

Oh, and see what you can do about smoothing out the compad, it shouldn't be all rough and textured like that. All the surfaces should be smooth.
_________________
Jon Paulson • Cmdr. Tag "HazardThree" Greenly
SCO Hazard Squadron (Founder '05)
Past Service: DCO RLSC (Pilot Detachment 2009-2016); Legion Costume Judge - Pilots (2007-2016)

gulywhumpr (James) · Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2013 11:29 pm Post subject:

Will do. I will smooth it out. Hmmm....fine sanding block? Would that work on plastic?
_________________
http://wookiecostuming.wordpress.com/

gulywhumpr (James) · Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2013 2:31 am Post subject:

I need big help please!! I am making the flak vest and am having major trouble figuring out how to keep the edges of the ribs/flat spaces from fraying. Do you fold it under along the sides to create a finished edge and then sew it all to the backing? Do you just leave it as is? How is this done?

I tried making the rib part separate and then attaching it to the backing, but the tutorial seems to just sew it directly on to the backing is that correct?

Also do you use straight plastic tubing for the ribs? I bought a roll of 1/4 inch white plastic tubing and the curvature of the roll is making the ribs go all kinds of different directions and twisting the vest all up. Then I tried using wood dowel for the ribs and that was just a really terrible idea because it wouldn't bend at all and the flak vest was flat and hung off my chest (It looked nice though, unlike the roll tubing).

I am massively frustrated because I cannot make a correct flak vest right now. Help me Obi Wan Kenobi (Gil or Jon), you're my only help!!
_________________
http://wookiecostuming.wordpress.com/

Forum and Costume Controls