Padme (Light Blue Tatooine Midriff) - WIP

[silverbrooke]

So my Hotter boots arrived - and it has been a quest to try and find Pale or light matte blue or gray tailored low-heeled boots or shoes in a size UK 9. These are suede, I *may* be able to lighten them a little bit with talcum powder. It is very comfortable (yeahhhh grandma shoes) with a low-heel so I'd be able to stand all day at a troop.

The downside is that they have a zipper on both sides and black instead of brown soles. I'm not sure if that matters enough since the skirt is floor length and you will likely only see the front and the back of the shoes. Hotter offers free returns, so if the collective brain thinks they are too dark then we can go back to the drawing board, but I may just keep them for normal wear.




So I'm looking to try to start with this long pattern as a base, and then modify it to match the five panels and figure out how to make the waistline reinforced enough to stay put and not fall off. If anyone has any good ideas with how to rig that interfacing, I'm all ears.


I'm also going to try to use this belly shirt + the sleeves as a base and then make the sleeves a bit longer to get the slouchy effect she has. I've already got a cape pattern for the V bit, so now all I need to do is figure out how to set this hood. It looks like it is actually able to be drawstrung together as the base that goes underneath her devore cloak, but I don't think I'm going to make that, so it may be a moot point.

I also ordered 10 meters of light blue crushed velvet penne for 2.45 a meter to just use as demo fabric, as well as .5 meters of my top two contenders to just see what they feel like on more than a swatch. So I've got a whole week off in February to start playing with construction!

[silverbrooke]

Found an alternate boot (same price of like 50 quid, also from Hotter) that I ordered so I can compare the two. I didn't really want a heel, but we will see if these are also comfortable and if they are the same shade or lighter. Hurray free returns!

[silverbrooke]

So the Dallas boots arrived and they are a better choice - the inside zipper is grey, although the sole is black not brown. They are comfortable for heels, and a little lighter. You can see them vs the slouchy boot in the top right. So I'll be returning the slouchy ones and keeping these for the moment (unless we find anything better in the next month).

[tenebris]

Both kat and i agree the heeled boots look better and will need less mods.

Have you looked up the construction of the outfit on the Padwans guide?There a good bit about the top. I do wonder if the top pattern you have picked is going to be alot of work? Its going to need alot of slash and insert....I'd be inclined to look at a wrap/ballet top and drape in the hood. Obviously everyone works differently and some people like to start from a basic block....So thats fine as well. For holding the skirt up, maybe like a more structured lining or like swimsuit type stuff to keep it up round your hips? I'll have a chat with Kat.

http://padawansguide.com/cape_makingof.shtml

[silverbrooke]

Yep - I'm wearing the boots today and they aren't totally uncomfortable. I'd still like them slightly lighter in colour and might be able to do some of that with rosin to dry them out. Other than that I don't know what other mods they may want.

I've been glued to the Padawan's Guide My plan is to use that as the base to try the open front technique as shown on the guide. If the fabric is thin enough then I can work the piecing on the drape like it shows on the front, because there are some false panels etc as shown in the coloured sections, game plan is to do base layer, drapey boobs, the circle sleeves and the only thing I think I'm really just stuck on is the hood. Will keep thinking on that one.

It looks like they do have a lining at least to slip length in the skirt from the instructions, and I'm wondering if I can use a nice firm interfacing or something to help with the shape. The elasticity of the swimsuit fabric or even a band might help keep it where it should be. I'll ask Heather what she did!

(Oddly enough, the Heather D from those forums is someone I went to college with!)

[tenebris]

Kat said mods, so I'm not sure, I shall check.

Sounds like you have a really solid plan. waistband Elastic inside could work too.......maybe have a play when you mock up?

Such a small world with costuming :)

[silverbrooke]

So my mock up fabric arrived today right as I was going to work can't open it all until I get home!

But I've been thinking about shoes while at work, and am looking at furniture painting tutorials online. The chalk paint in winter grey or grey embrace might be just what we are looking for to go on the suede boots to lighten them just a little more, and then finish it off with a shoe sealant.

[silverbrooke]

I’m thinking I like the left one better- it has a little hint of that sea foam to it that you see in a lot of the shots. Might need to go rewatch episode 2.


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[tenebris]

Ohh I like them both.......sorry that's so not helpful.

With the chalk paint have you got a little scrap of suede you can try it on? Its not something I've heard of, but sounds interesting.

[silverbrooke]

Yeah I wish I could show you these in person! The camera isn't doing it justice. The seafoam one also feels more luxurious and is the four way stretch.

[Padme Amidala]

The one on the right looks nice. Which one is which?
Do Angelus not do suede paint or is it just dye I'm thinking of? Yeah, would worth a tester first. Does anywhere local to you do small sample pots to try? Might be cheaper.

[silverbrooke]

I think that Angelus only do dyes, and it generally says that you can't go from darker to lighter. I've found a few tutorials talking about chalk paint or mineral paint as a means to do suede fabric and upholstery... sort of like this technique https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCJQGRiudOY

So above the 1) 4-way stretch and 2) 2-way stretch fabrics. https://youtu.be/u-STVMAXI10 I tried to catch them in some moving light which again isn't really showing up well. I keep looking at that magazine photo and you can see they have the light shining right on her which is going to lighten it up some. My gut is telling me to go with the four-way stretch as it feels like a slightly nicer fabric...

I just turned the movie and screen captured her outfit...it really does look a lot more blue/green when she's getting out of the rickshaw, but I just don't know.

[tenebris]

Crl says pale or light blue....its quite a scope.

So If you have that refs support both slight shade variations choose which one you feel works the best and have the ref to submit, in case anyone argues it.

[Naberrie]

this looks beautiful so far! The fabric choices both look really strong but I see what you mean about the slight greenish tint, can’t wait to see you trooping in this, it will be gorgeous! One of my favourite costumes :)

[silverbrooke]

Starting the boots today- first layer of half water half chalk paint. Looking promising so far....


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