JSmails ANH Tusken WIP

[thebrighton]

Overall looking good. You've mentioned the bandoliers need dropping as they are up, under your armpits. You may need extensions as detailed in the CRL:

Extension straps may be needed for the bandoliers in order for them to hang low enough.

Chest bandoliers are not be tight up under the armpit area.

The waist bandolier should be on a leather belt rather than a canvas one.

Regarding the gaffi stick it is of different construction to both of mine but a method I used should work for you. I drilled a largish hole into the wooden pole and glued a  pipe of the same diameter into the curved section which can then slot into the wood. I know you've burnt the gips into the wood but I disguised the join with wraps as grips.

[JSmails]

This is my reference pic:

I was shocked how tight the Boer War bandolier got under my left pit in costume. I’d been fitting it with just a T-shirt while working and it looked good. With that extra distance it had to go around the inner robe and neck seal, it cinched up. I’ll let it out a little. 
 

Interesting about the waist belt. It can’t be seen from the front, so I doubt I’ll worry about it. It’s good to know, though, in case my OTD ever kicks in more fully. 
 

Thanks for the help!

Tomorrow or Friday I hope to get the Gaffi fully put together and finished and get some fans in my helmet. I also need to put another layer of mesh in my snout. My daughter said she could see my mouth when looking toward the light. 
 

Lastly, I’ll have to trick out my bin for travel. Fun stuff. 

[JSmails]

I have the Gaffi measured out and a lot of it glued together. It looks like my golf epoxy is working. Feels strong. 
 

I cut out the slots for the fins and glued them in place. Glued the ring in place. Glued the spike in place. I have a few things I need to mod, like the pink ring, to make it more accurate, then some bondo for accuracy also. Then it’ll be time to paint. I’m hoping next week. 
 

Here it is now. Excuse the stupid snow. Picture it as white sand.

[JSmails]

I put some bondo on the gaffi and modded the ring and sanded it. I forgot to take pics of that. Anyway, I started painting it. Here it is primed

 

And here it is painted. I forgot to prime the sharp, silver end, so I’m sure that’ll peel off and I’ll have to repaint. But the stick is looking pretty good. 
 

 

The LAST thing I can think of is I’d like fans in my helmet. I messed around with a lot of different configurations and couldn’t get anything I really liked. It’s looking like ONE squirrel fan connected to a voltage controller to ramp it up and down as needed. Just on full blast it’s too loud in there. 
 

Any good posts/pics to link me to to see what others are using for helmet fans? Thanks. 
 

 

[thebrighton]

There just isn't enough room in my lid so I gave up and get sweaty!

[JSmails]

Tried to drill the hole in the end of the Gaffi today and the 3D print crumbled. So more bondo, more sanding, and more painting. The end is a better shape now and I should be able to weather it tomorrow and be done with it. This hole:

Next thing. It turns out the bottom edge of the robe is hemmed. So I’ll have to do that. 

 

The first hemmed line, on the outer inner robe, at about his ankle, what is that about a 1” hem? Then the inner-inner robe/skirt looks like 1.5” to 2” hem.

Lastly. It looks like I’ll need to sew some darts into the front of the robe at the belt line to get the “folds” going the right way.

 

Look at all those folds/pleats/darts below the belt. I don’t think my inner robe has enough material to do that many folds. Does anyone try to mimic that setup? Yikes that’s a lot of material.

I’m hoping more coming soon.

 

[JSmails]

Finished my gaffi tonight. More pics later with the silver end after I update a few more things. Here is the staff part. 
 

OG:

 

Mine

 

 

I can’t wait to strike that pose in full suitup. 

[JSmails]

It has come to my attention that the inner robe was more like a bathrobe or a Jedi tunic. There is a giant flap that opens on the right side. 
 

Does anyone have a pattern for the CORRECT inner robe? Thanks. 
 

Anyway...I believe there are 5 darts on the inner robe. This allows for the gathers/pleats etc. Here they are:

 

That doesn’t happen on it’s own. They sew darts into the things to make them “wrinkle” on camera and make them look more interesting and lived in. Just having flat fronts is boring. Sewing darts is the answer. 
 

The 5 darts, I believe, are sewn at the belt behind the sash then folded over to his right. 
 

In this pic you can see the same 5 folds/darts/pleats in the upper body. 

 

So, I took a guess and put 5 darts into my inner robe. Here it was before. Pretty boring and flat. Especially below the waist sash. 

Now with the darts:

 

Here they are as sewn behind the sash  

 

I took a guess that they were about 1.5” darts and I spaced them about 1.5” apart. The sewn dart lines are about 4” long behind the sash.

If anyone has the actual pattern, or close to it, for how the inner robe was sewn, like a bathrobe, I’d appreciate it. 
 

Thanks.

 

[thebrighton]

Nice detail work on the inner robe. Chances are they were all wrap round but you can't see for definite in screengrabs. I guess the style of inner robe most members use is because it's easier to make and isn't noticeable once under the outer robe.

Regarding the dart lines it may well have just been on Peter Diamonds costume as he was the Tusken seen up close. Here's a shot from an exhibition in Michigan a fair few years ago which suggests this costume didn't have darts but, of course there are plenty of examples of displays where the mannequin was dressed incorrectly and who knows if it was actually a screen used one!

 

With my inner robe it naturally bunches up when I tie the waist sash up.

[JSmails]

Today was skirt day. I spent a LOT of time at JoAnn’s trying to fabric match my inner robe. I finally found it, but in white. I’ll have to dye it or paint it anyway and it’s supposed to be a different color than the robe anyway. 
 

Here is my reference pic:

Down at Peter’s feet you can see the traditional inner robe is about 4-6” above the top of the foot. Then the “skirt” hangs down to the top of the foot. 
Here also:

https://i.imgur.com/xbvsBA3.jpg

Also here carrying Luke:

https://i.imgur.com/7wN7LNK.jpg

From the back same thing. 
https://i.imgur.com/hBAuNUQ.jpg

 

So I made a skirt. I found an explanation on how to make an “A-line” skirt and basically followed that. 

Here are my two halves. 
https://i.imgur.com/0ByW2L8.jpg

 

And once they are sewn together. 

https://i.imgur.com/dg5e28g.jpg
 

I sewed in some darts to make the skirt move over itself as in the reference pics. Finally, with the inner robe:

https://i.imgur.com/9X5nRLt.jpg
 

Knowing I was going to do the skirt, it seems I hemmed the inner robe a bit too high for my liking. I’ll have to let an inch or two out. I hand sewed that, so that’ll be another half hour. Ugh. 
 

Once I get the skirt weathered to my liking, I’ll be just about ready to submit I think. 

[JSmails]

I can’t edit my posts for some reason and Imgur is acting funny? Here is a repost of the above, but hopefully with pics. 
 

Today was skirt day. I spent a LOT of time at JoAnn’s trying to fabric match my inner robe. I finally found it, but in white. I’ll have to dye it or paint it anyway and it’s supposed to be a different color than the robe anyway. 

 

 

Here is my reference pic:

 

Down at Peter’s feet you can see the traditional inner robe is about 4-6” above the top of the foot. Then the “skirt” hangs down to the top of the foot. 

Here also:

 

Also here carrying Luke:

 

 

From the back same thing. 

 

So I made a skirt. I found an explanation on how to make an “A-line” skirt and basically followed that. 

 

Here are my two halves.

 

And once they are sewn together. 

 

I sewed in some darts to make the skirt move over itself as in the reference pics. Finally, with the inner robe:

Knowing I was going to do the skirt, it seems I hemmed the inner robe a bit too high for my liking. I’ll have to let an inch or two out. I hand sewed that, so that’ll be another half hour. Ugh. 

Once I get the skirt weathered to my liking, I’ll be just about ready to submit I think. 

[JSmails]

Decided to try to dye the skirt today using coffee. 

 

10 minutes nothing happened. Half hour nothing. After an hour nothing. I’m guessing this fabric isn’t cotton based. Likely poly. Unless someone else knows how to stain it. 
 

After an hour and a half with no shade change I took it out and put it in the dryer. I’m guessing I’ll need to use stain and/or paint. 

[JSmails]

I stand corrected. Took the skirt out of the dryer and it has changed color a little. Here it is with the original white piece on it. 

Not much of a color shift. Maybe I’ll do the coffee again. I may have diluted it too much? 

[thebrighton]

It doesn't look synthetic so should stain ok. I've only used tea to stain the robes which works well so can't comment on coffee only that others that have used coffee have regretted it as that lovely coffee smell soon changes into a rather unpleasant one especially if it ever gets wet.

[JSmails]

15 minutes ago, thebrighton said:

It doesn't look synthetic so should stain ok. I've only used tea to stain the robes which works well so can't comment on coffee only that others that have used coffee have regretted it as that lovely coffee smell soon changes into a rather unpleasant one especially if it ever gets wet.

Thanks. 
 

Yes once I compared the two, I imagine it was just too diluted. I don’t have a coffee pot, my wife has a keurig. The first dye job was 2 pods plus water. This new dye job I did 3 pods with no water. 
 

I’m leaving it in for another half hour then drying it. Should be a little closer. 

[JSmails]

Okay. I did 3 cups of coffee with no water added. I let it soak for about 45 minutes then put it in the dryer. Much better results. 
 

And here it is outside. 

Here is the reference 

 

Once I darken it with weathering, it should work out really well I think. 

[JSmails]

I had a chance to work on this today again. Lots of work. Let out the hem on the inner robe first then weathered the skirt. Looking at the reference, I have a ways to go. Looks like spray paint was used. Yikes. 
 

One thing I like to do is to lock everything in place with magnets. When I get the look I want and placement I want, I don’t want it sliding around while suited up. It also makes suiting up easier as the different parts just “lock” in place. I’ll post some pictures of my process in case anyone else wants to do this. 
 

After a suitup, I find out where I want the magnet to go on the item and on the suit. In this case, the bandoliers. I mark the spot for the first magnet. 

Then I place the magnet. 

Then I lock the magnet in place with some hot glue spread with an ice cube then a wet finger.

 

Then I put duct tape over it to give it another layer to stay put, and I lock the edges of the duct tape in place with hot glue. (Not shown) This assures me this magnet isn’t pulling off. Ever.

 

Same process inside the inner robe when I get the positioning I want and mark it.

 

Final placement.

I then weathered the skirt  

And here I am all suited up  

 

 

Lastly today, because the sleeves on the robe are so tight, when I move my arms about in costume, it’d pull my arm bands up my arm and away from the gloves and expose my skin. So I glued the arm bands to the gloves. No more slipping problems.

 

So that’s that. I feel the entire costume could use more weathering, but the costume looks much better in person than it does on camera here. There is more weathering and staining. In pictures though, it looks like I have on a white inner robe and that’s just not the case. 
 

When I get some time, I’ll have to trick out my box for transport.

 

[RMDphoto]

Looking pretty good. Couple suggestions. Try using a spray paint like this to even out the color differences between the inner robe and skirt. Just hold it a good distance away and mist it on. Get closer to get more in spots. It really adds a nice texture and grittiness to the fabric like it were dusted in sand. 

You may or may not get some grief over the neck seal. They really seem to want it pretty thin and not bulky for ANH costumes. But that will all come down to your GML. 

[JSmails]

29 minutes ago, RMDphoto said:

Looking pretty good. Couple suggestions. Try using a spray paint like this to even out the color differences between the inner robe and skirt. Just hold it a good distance away and mist it on. Get closer to get more in spots. It really adds a nice texture and grittiness to the fabric like it were dusted in sand. 

You may or may not get some grief over the neck seal. They really seem to want it pretty thin and not bulky for ANH costumes. But that will all come down to your GML. 

Right. Thanks. 
 

The neck seal was a nightmare and I saw it right away after taking those photos. I cut it and sewed in new velcro to make it much tighter to my neck. More in line with the edges of the helmet. 
 

I’ll take a look at spray painting some time this week I am hoping!

Thanks for the help!

[RMDphoto]

12 minutes ago, JSmails said:

Right. Thanks. 
 

The neck seal was a nightmare and I saw it right away after taking those photos. I cut it and sewed in new velcro to make it much tighter to my neck. More in line with the edges of the helmet. 
 

I’ll take a look at spray painting some time this week I am hoping!

Thanks for the help!

I hear ya! I did mine with snaps the first time and it bunched up really bad. Ended up having to switch over to velcro and that made it all sit a lot better.  But again, its looking really good IMO!

[thebrighton]

I have numerous soft costumes riddled with magnets to keep things in place. I do find items of cutlery flying my way sometimes

You have a great looking Tusken, congratulations.

Just touching on the neck seal I made one in the same style as a TK wears and I know a few others have similar designs.

[JSmails]

On 11/30/2020 at 11:25 PM, RMDphoto said:

Looking pretty good. Couple suggestions. Try using a spray paint like this to even out the color differences between the inner robe and skirt. Just hold it a good distance away and mist it on. Get closer to get more in spots. It really adds a nice texture and grittiness to the fabric like it were dusted in sand. 

You may or may not get some grief over the neck seal. They really seem to want it pretty thin and not bulky for ANH costumes. But that will all come down to your GML. 

Ugh. Now that I reread your advice, it makes a lot of sense. Apply the paint to the lower part of the robe, AND the skirt. 
 

I ended up applying the entire can, and then some other colors, just to the skirt. It certainly looks filthy now and isn’t nearly as yellow. 

 

Unfortunately, I didn’t do any blending with the inner robe. While in person I love the dirtier look, on camera, in the light, again, it’s a completely different color. 

 

I may buy another textured can or two. A lighter sandy look for the skirt and the darker desert stuff for the lower, what, 6 inches of the inner robe? How far up should I blend it? Because, in world, the hem is pretty far up and wouldn’t contact the sand unless I was kneeling to shoot the cycler rifle, or prone, hiding behind a boulder, waiting on an ambush. Just walking wouldn’t dirty up the lower part.

THANKS!!

 

 

[JSmails]

Okay. I couldn’t take it anymore. Since I had some leftover fabric of the original inner robe, and you can only see the bottom 4-6 inches, I decided to sew that material to the bottom of the skirt. The match is much closer. The new skirt part is actually lighter because it hasn’t been weathered yet. Here it is, sewn on. 
 

and here it is under the inner robe. 

 

Time to dirty it up and, I think, call it good. 

[M.J.]

August thats looking much better, the off colour just didn't suit, just no high jumps ok so you don't go flashing ya legs!

I feel ya with velcro and neck seals.. my pet hate, I try and avoid velcro as much as I can as it tends to affect the fabric and pulls on my hair. 

I do like the magnet idea, never tried though not sure how too.

I do quite a bit of clips the ones you hand sew on, its a pain but it they wont rip the fabric 

[JSmails]

1 hour ago, M.J. said:

August thats looking much better, the off colour just didn't suit, just no high jumps ok so you don't go flashing ya legs!

I feel ya with velcro and neck seals.. my pet hate, I try and avoid velcro as much as I can as it tends to affect the fabric and pulls on my hair. 

I do like the magnet idea, never tried though not sure how too.

I do quite a bit of clips the ones you hand sew on, its a pain but it they wont rip the fabric 

If you’d like to try magnets, I get mine from Apex Magnets. Here was my last order. 

You can register with your email and they’ll usually send out 10% off codes. Quite frequently really. 
 

Any ideas on how to weather the bottom parts now that they are really close? The skirt will need to be more weathered, obviously. I think I’ll start with acrylic. Or is using spray paint just faster and better?

Thanks!