help with Jedi Costume

[duncan29793]

Hello everyone. So, with help from my mother-in-law (see they are not totally bad ), I am making a jedi costume for Halloween. Everything is coming along well, but I have noticed that I have a problem with the sleeves and wanted to get some input.

For the outter tunic we used a generic karate uniform top. It fits great, but once I put the tunic and obi on... I can't raise my arms past shoulder before it starts pulling the tunic up from under the obi. Is this just a problem that I have to live with or are there some little secrets on how to avoid this issue. What we have done so far to try and minimize the problem is to tuck part of the shoulder under, similar to what has been described for the Obi Wan Kenobi tunic. It allows for a little more mobility and gives the tunic a litte more of a V look like some integrated tabards are on in. Pretty neat look I think.

The second part is with the belt and obi. How high or low should the obi be? I would assume that the belt should be worn at the height of a normal belt, but that puts the obi pretty low. This isn't a problem if you are a guy that has no rear end, but that ain't me. Is the belt to be worn a little higher than normal? From what it looks like on costumes that I have seen, the belt is kind of high.

Thanks

[Phiily Manyaan]

They look to me like they are worn across the belly, and as you said for us guys who carry a bit more of ourselves around, its not easy. While I don't have a whole Jedi outfit, I do have the belt and I wear it where my normal belt is, but for the whole thing, it looks better across the belly if you can pull it off.

[duncan29793]

Thanks Phiily,

So around the belly I will assume the belt should almost be bellybutton level or so.

I am excited about this costume. I am not going all out for it as a first one but if it turns out pretty good I will take another crack at it using more expensive material. The belt and boots are simple vinyl and costume boots with accessories sewn on them. I even made some of the food pods out of 7/16 black shirt buttuns and caps from highlighter pens. They have the closest look to the steadtler pens at only $3 for 6 vs $8 for 4.

I should have thought of this earlier, but I will take some pics later to post of my progress.

[Obi-Dar Ke-Gnomie]

On my costume, the belt sits a little higher than I would normally wear a belt. Bellybutton level sounds about right. I'll see if I can find a good picture and edit my post.

As far as the pulling up when you raise your arms, I'm afraid I don't have any wisdom for you. I just made mine really roomy, and made the arms a little on the long side. Sorry, that probably doesn't help. Hopefully J-Lo will weigh in. She knows a lot about costumes.

Unless you are trying to join the Rebel Legion, there's no point in buying the expensive pens to do your capsules. I found a four pack at the Dollarama that are close enough for me. If someone gets close enough to get a good look at them and criticizes you, remember that they're within striking range of your saber.

Edit:

Here's a picture. The bottom of the belt is sitting just above the belt on my pants, but it's not outrageously high. You can see the capsules too, but not very well. I'll see if I have a better photo.

[Phiily Manyaan]

Yeah, belly button level sounds good.

I've always thought the pods looked like sharpie caps too and the real belt accesories are way overpriced and its more fun to put together your own accesories, especially if they are functional. Example: I have a leather multitool pouch on my belt and guess what? theres a multitool in it that I carry around in case my starfighter breaks down or what have you. Ok, I geeked that out more than necessary but I think costuming is the most fun part of this hobby because the possibilties are literally endless. Have fun and good luck!!

[Master Jedi Owen]

belly button is the right level for the belt and under obi (see pic below)



as for the arm sleeves, i was wondering the same question as mine does the same but mine is all custom. My mom told me that the reason it all moves up if you move your arms past shoulder length is cause of where the sleeve meets the tunic(shirt). If you look at it, to give the sleeves the longer/bagger look, the seem between the shirt and sleeve is fairly large unlike a normal shirt and goes down further on the shirt itself. This causes you have a shorter arm lift spand when you raise your arms which causes everything to move when you raise your arms up.

hope that makes sense, its easier to show something than to type anything out for me !

[duncan29793]

my costume is at my mother-in-laws place but I do have the capsules. Don't have the pen package so can't tell you which ones they are. And as with most things they do look better in person. This is only the first coat of paint. Simple model Testors Model Paint. I will make the other 2 bronze or gold.




edit----------------
Thank you Master Owen for the info. What you are saying makes sense. I was thinking it was were the sleeve meets the shoulder rather than were it meets your side (armpit) because once the shoulder was tucked I was able to get my arm up a little higher. Here is a link to Obi Wan's tunic which is what I did to mine.
http://www.padawansguide.com/outertunic.shtml

I will have to play with it a little. If it is a case of the armpit connection, then maybe starting off with a smaller sleeve opening and belling out it out at the end.

[Obi-Dar Ke-Gnomie]

Here's a picture of the pen caps before I painted them:



I found the buttons in my wife's spare button box. Not counting the paint, it cost me a total of $1 to make these.

While I was at the dollar store that day, I also picked up two neoprene cell phone cases. A little black leather, and some hot glue, and I had passable belt pouches. You can see them in my earlier post. If anyone wants, I can post a close up of them.

Who says costuming has to cost a lot of money?

[duncan29793]

yes cheap can work. I like the idea for the pouches. I am actually trying to make some too because where else am I gonna keep my wallet, keys and cell phone??

[Master Jedi Owen]

edit----------------
Thank you Master Owen for the info. What you are saying makes sense. I was thinking it was were the sleeve meets the shoulder rather than were it meets your side (armpit) because once the shoulder was tucked I was able to get my arm up a little higher. Here is a link to Obi Wan's tunic which is what I did to mine.
http://www.padawansguide.com/outertunic.shtml

I will have to play with it a little. If it is a case of the armpit connection, then maybe starting off with a smaller sleeve opening and belling out it out at the end.

see what i mean, its hard for me to get something out in writting as to what i really mean. you are correct it is were the sleeve and shirt meet at the arm pit which causes the issue when raising your arms up.... try moving it up further and making the cuff on the sleeve wider kinda making it look like a dunce hat lol