Blue Jedi Build

Awhile ago I decided to make a not-so-generic Jedi, and to try to meet the challenges in the Rebel Legion Jedi costume standards. 

Once I decided on the tabard fabric, I experimented with drawing out the outfit.

Minimum Requirements

1. Outer tunic

To make the outer tunic, I bought a Simplicity 5840 from eBay. First item I'd bought from eBay, definitely found out that a "complete" set means that it was missing half of the patterns. Still, it had the outer tunic pattern. So I bought some silky gauze fabric in cream, a rayon fabric from Joann Fabrics. Easy enough to work with, though it doesn't breathe very well and it crinkles like heck. It's also really big with odd stitching. But it was first project from a pattern, so I'm inordinately proud of it. I would probably use an osnaburg fabric to make another one, and use the medium size for a second one though.

2. Tabards

For my first set of tabards, I went with a blue endless-knot patterned jacquard I found on sale at Joann Fabrics. Now, I decided on this fabric on impulse. You never see a dark blue tabard in the films, but I liked the tone and texture so I went with it. My rationalization is that it could be a way of honoring the Jedi's home planet. The color scheme isn't so bright or crazy that isn't totally out of the Jedi's home of humble natural colors. I used the directions from the Rebel Legion tutorial, but modified them with a bend to match my shape and I tapered the ends instead of squaring them off. I used a fusible interfacing to add some stiffness to the tabards, but I think it probably wasn't necessary given the fabric.

3. Obi

I figured the obi should match the tabards, so I used the jacquard and again followed the Rebel legion tutorial. I couldn't face attaching the obi with Velcro, it seems like it wouldn't hold well, so I went with stupid complicated. Instead I attached eyelets on either end and shoestring to lace it up like a corset. I kind of get away with it since it's hidden by the belt and a pouch, but I'm not sure it's the best way to go.

4. Utility belt

I've since made my Mark II utility belt, for which you can see the tutorial here.

5. Lightsaber

While I have made a couple of prop hilts, this time I was able to purchase something closer to the real deal. This one was made by Saberforge, a Disciple hilt with a yellow blade. It was a bumpy road getting to my door, which I might write about at another time. Unfortunately it's still too pointy for cons? So for the next convention I'm going with the second lightsaber, a Galaxy's Edge saber that I've modified with a leather-wrapped section.

Saberforge Disciple saber

6. Lightsaber clip

With updating my lightsaber, I also upgraded my lightsaber clip. Most custom lightsaber companies have the option of a Covertech clip, which is the same kind of attachment used for the prequels.

7. Pants

I searched and found tan, loose, cotton slacks at a thrift store for about $7. The key is to get them in natural fibers, it looks more authentic.

8. Boots

Another thrift store buy! Below-the-knee boots in women's sizes are not hard to find, I think I picked these up for less than $10. Key part of Jedi boots is to find a pair with low heels, no front laces, minimal straps, and a discreet zipper/tie. And for the Rebel Legion the color of the boots have to match the color of the belt, so a Jedi's brown belt should have brown boots. 

Minimum Extras

1. Inner tunic

I also based the inner tunic on the Simplicity pattern 5840, which really amounts to a dickie. I bought a tan sleeveless shirt at a thrift store for about $4, cut and sewed the pattern's collar, and then attached the collar to the shirt. I added a few safety pins to ensure I could fasten and unfasten the collar as needed.

2. Jedi pouches

I bought two hard-sided eyeglass pouches from a thrift store, for maybe $4 total. I had leftover brown "leather" vinyl from making the belt, which I cut up to cover the exterior of the pouches. I glued them down, then cut up diagonal strips of leather to add detail and depth to the pouches. I also had to add a belt strap to the back of one of them.

3. Food pellets

For these, I bought pens with rounded caps from the dollar store, maybe three sets at $2 to $3. I had metallic spray paints on hand, in gold, hammered silver, copper, and a dark bronze.

Erratic Extras
1. Detachable hood
One of the extras that I didn't make was the traditional brown Jedi robe. It's on my to-do list, but not for this particular costume. Why? Because I live in a warm climate and I already have three layers in this costume. But I do like the mystery of the Jedi robe's hood, so I decided to try to make a detachable one out of the same fabric as the tabards and obi. I made a mockup out of some old bedsheets, altered it to sit better on my head, and finally ran up a copy in the good fabric. At the ends you can see loops made out of leather cordage, which are meant to slip over toggles sewn to the shoulder of the tabards.

2. Mask

There's little justification for this except that my face hurts from smiling too much at cons and wanted to make a mask. This is meant to be a sort of Star Wars version respirator, perhaps for a Jedi visiting a plague-riddled landscape. This started life as a paintball mask, with two puck lights featuring foam designs.