| JEDI COSTUMES |
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| Here are some of the Jedi costumes I have made. Jedi Vince, Jedi Andre, Janus Areous, Jedi Ohblee, and Jedi Master KvanB at the Magic of Myth in Chicago, 2000 |
| So you want to be Jedi, huh? Last winter I led a local Jedi Robe-making workshop. Here are some important things that need to be attended to by anyone who wishes to make a robe: 1.) PATTERN: Let's consider our pattern choices and the sizing before we rush into buying fabric. I looked through my pattern archive for suitable robe patterns and found these: Simplicity # 9887 (a "Lord-of-the-Rings-esque" style for all sizes) --I have used this one quite a bit as a basis for many costumes already. View B without the yoke detail and with a rounded hood works nicely for a Jedi robe much like Mace Windu's from EP I. This one calls for 9+ yards of 45" wide fabric or 7+ yards of 60" wide fabric. This one in black could make a nice Darth Sidious robe as well. (Sidious will need a very textured material, a waffle-weave is best, but not a stretchy fabric) Butterick #3184 (larger child's "Harry Potter-esque" wizard's robe pattern will work for petite sizes) --I have used this one for Harry Potter robes and Jedi robes with a few modifications. Again, it will need a rounded hood. I omitted the sleeve cuff. I like the sleeves on this but they come to a point. It looks good sitting in council, but the points look a little weird in saber battle. This robe pattern calls for about 7 yards of 45" wide fabric to make the largest size robe and about 5 yards of 60" wide. Again this pattern works if you have the build of a teenager. I made the largest size robe from this pattern for me and it just fits me. I am 5' 5". Simplicity #5840 (A "Star Wars EP II-esque" pattern all sizes) --View B again with a rounded hood looks like it would work. This pattern calls for about 8 yards of 45" wide fabric for all sizes. I have not yet used this pattern for any projects, but it looks very straight-forward. The sleeves are also straight-cuffed, so that would make it look like a fighting Jedi robe. McCall's 2433 (a "Star Wars EP I-esque" pattern in all sizes) --This is the easiest to make of all of the patterns, however it is also the least interesting-looking. The robe is not as full-cut, so it will not have as much 'flow' as the other patterns. A large robe will need about 6 yards of 45" fabric or nearly 5 yards of 60" wide. Fabrics come in several widths (45", 54", 60") The width of the fabric is going to determine how much yardage you will need to purchase depending on which pattern you choose to follow. Buy the pattern you want to use first and then look at the back of the package for the yardages you will need. 2.) FABRIC / Fabric types: Yes, Natural fabrics are nice. I prefer washable fabrics when ever I have the choice. I have made robes out of all types of materials. Cotton, broad cloth, canvas, twill, cotton duck, light-weight denims, cotton-poly blends, rayon blends, poplin, suede cloth, linen, etc. Notice that "wool" is abscent from my list. Nothing against wool personally, but it is sometimes very expensive, too warm and needs special care. I know the actual movie robes are made of wool, but the SW costume deparment has a bigger budget than I do and the movie robes are worn differently than we will be wearing them. Seriously--how long do you think the actors would last roaming a convention in August in their full costumes including a wool robe? After you become sucessful at making a robe, you can try making one out of wool if you so desire. Choose your color. Traditional Jedi = brown--any shade, but you may choose an alternative. I have made Jedi robes in shades of burgundy and earthier greens before and these looked very nice. Besides the color, the weight/flow of the fabric needs to be considered. A lighter fabric will flow more as you move around in it. A heavy fabric will make you uncomfortable, weigh you down and just hang there plus it is more difficult to sew. If you are hoping to wear Jedi robes to ANY spring/summer/fall/indoor convention, stay away from anything heavy. I seldom pay more than $5 per yard for a robe fabric. I have found very nice fabrics for as little as $1-$2 per yard. Make sure you get enough fabric for the robe you desire to make. Make sure you get something washable. ** DON'T buy anything "stretchy". Look for interesting textures. **some fabrics say DRY CLEAN ONLY. If you find a DCO fabric you think is perfect, ask the people at the fabric store what will happen if you wash it. Sometimes, the fabric will shrink or the texture will become different after you wash & dry it. If you think you want to use a DCO fabric and are unsure of what will happen when the fabric comes in contact with water, just buy a small piece (1/2 - 1 yard) to test it first. Cut your piece into two pieces that are exactly the same size. Wash and dry one and then compare your results to the control piece. If you are satisfied that the fabric is still acceptable and it has retained it's integrity, go ahead and buy enough to make your robe. If not, keep looking. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE: |
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| Tips on making a Jedi Robe: |
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| ....and now by popular demand! See what Jedi costume pieces I currently have available. JEDI COSTUME GALLERY Too lazy to make you own Jedi costume? Scroll down to the "Jedi costumes" Jedi robes and tunics section to see if I have anything done that might fit you. |
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