Yankee71

Measuring the claws out on foam:

My boots were delivered, still need to make the medal heels: They fit fine, but as I have rather large calves, they are a bit tight at the top of the boot, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AH8F7W?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00

I have been really sick the last few days, and having to go to work while sick, has taken its toll on me. I have been feeling really guilty that I have not made any progress on my costume this week so far, so I am pushing myself to get a bit done on this weekend, because next weekend I have to attend a class for my physical therapy job, so next weekend I will probably get even less done. These are the gloves I am using, before modified: Luckily I ordered XXL, because they are tight, anything smaller would not have fit my hands. http://www.maskworld.com/english/products/costumes/costume-component-parts--250/gloves-bracers-vambraces--2502/leather-gauntlets--MR-200376

Taking my materials to the tailor, so she can sew it into a vest. Taking my materials to a shoe maker, so they can turn normal gloves, into what I need. Slowly but surely, things are coming together.

Measuring out my fingers and thumb claws, Just waiting on my Worbla to be delivered so I can take them to the next lvl. Kind of curious about their placement? The CRL shows them on the 3rd section of finger, but every other picture I have seen of this character, the claws are on the 2nd section of the finger? CRL is a great source of information, don't get me wrong, but after studying this character over months, I keep finding discrepancies with the CRL?

I have been looking for something to fill the Vest (abdominal armor) with, to make it stand out more and not be lost in the soft black on soft black of the costume. I wander through many stores, looking for things, that I could use in the building of my costume. Today I was at a hardware store, and when I saw the Linoleum, it gave me an idea. I am thinking of cutting the Linoleum out in the shape of the armor strips, cover it in Faux Leather, and sew it altogether, so the Vest will have a more solid look to it, like it looks in the video games and screenshots. I still have to ask my local tailor if she is willing to do the sewing, or if I have to find someone else. I am lacking in the sewing department, so I am waiting to talk to a professional, and get their opinion on what would look best and what would work.

Started abdominal armor measurements. Working on 4th trophy Hilt. Boots ordered. Still looking for a reasonable custom gauntlet glove maker. 1st custom gauntlet glove maker was asking $190 per glove, $380 for a pair + $30 shipping. I may have to just make my own gauntlet gloves, if all the custom makers are this expensive!

Rob at Mywickedarmor.com made a really nice GG costume. Looks a bit too breakable for me, but the kids seem to love it. GG head moves when your head moves, its a really cool design.

Who is Claudio Olvider, and is he still making these gauntlet gloves? Just an update, Claudio Olvider is still making the gloves, and is currently asking for $190.00 per glove plus $30 shipping. I bought a $50 pair of leather gloves, and I am having a local leather worker make the modifications for $100.

Hello EU, I am making a starkiller (hoth) costume, and I have a few questions, maybe you could help with. I have been doing about a month's worth of research, and now I am starting to get organized and collecting resources to build parts of the costume. 1. Gauntlet Gloves: Where oh where do you find those Gauntlet Gloves I see everyone else using? I have been searching online for the past 2 weeks, and I cannot find anything close to what the rest of you have. Is there a Gauntlet Gloves maker somewhere I need to talk to? 2. Vest: I have seen most costumes using a soft leather build, I can do that as well. My question is, I have seen one costume with hard leather, what if I go with a Hard Leather build (well more accurately Craft foam, covered in Black Worbla, made in strips to match the leather pattern)? I think the hard leather look, looks better to me, I am just wondering if that would be acceptable or not in the 501st? Also, as the vest covers 80% of the body, I am wondering how flexible worbla is, would it allow someone to get in and out of it? I have never used worbla before, just watched days worth of videos on youtube! The back stitching area of the vest, I have still not worked out how to do, so it looks good with the metal clips and well more realistic. If anyone has some tips on how they made theirs they want to share, I am all ears. 3. Claws: I had planned on using Craft Foam covered in Worbla, and then painted metallic. Is there a better method? I didn't want to go with metal, as metal points at the ends of most of your fingers could be dangerous to little kids, be considered a real world weapon, and most of all, I would probably hurt myself with them lol. 4. Boots: I saw in another post about the same costume from about 1.5 years ago there were concerns about the CRL Boots not being accurate. The same boots are still in the CRL, so I am guessing the boots in the CRL are the way to go? Steel Plate on the heel, again I was thinking of Worbla painted metallic and glued on, unless someone has some better idea they would like to offer? 5. Saber Hilts: How close do our sabers have to be to the real thing? I have looked at the CRL Hilts, and they look very cool, don't get me wrong, but when I google the names of the sabers listed for tier 2, besides Darth Vader and Darth Maul's half saber, the other 4 hilts I find look totally different than the ones in the CRL? I have 3 Hilts to use atm, I am still searching for a Darth Maul to cut in half (anyone still have half a Maul from their build laying around?), and I was going to fabricate the last 2. Question is, do I use the CRL models, the internet models, or just make something else believable? I have ordered, paid for, and should be on its way to me sooner or later: -Helmet Lord Starkiller (hoth) -Hair Braid -Upper Armor (Shoulder Armor, Collar Armor, Illuminated Back Armor) -Undersuit -Skirt/Belt/Cod Piece (Tattered Skirt, Belt, Buckle with Levers/Switches, Cod Piece) If there is anyone out there willing to help with information, I'm all ears. If there are any costume builders out there who have free time on their hands and would like to offer to commision something like the Gauntlet Gloves or the Vest, I have a little money left in my budget to commision those if need be. Well nice to finally get into this EU section of the 501st, and I hope with any luck, I will be joining your ranks soon. I will post pics of my progress, as I make any lol. Chris...

Hello all, My name is Chris, 44 years old, probably be 45 by the time I finish my costume lol. I am from Hawaii, but I have been living in Germany for the last 20 years. I am Ex-US ARMY, Ex-DOD Civilian, Currently a Physical Therapist. My intention is to join the German Garrison (and the SESQ with in it), once I get my costume completed. The Costume I am working on is Starkiller: Dark Lord's Armor Hoth Reason I am interested in joining the 501st, my kids are getting older, gives me more time on my hands, and I am looking for a new hobby. Also it looks like fun, makes little kids happy, and something to give back to the next generation of Star Wars fans. Reason I am here in the EU, I have questions about my costume that needs a bit of help, and all the Starkillers are here lol. I have already read some posts of others who have made the same costume, and I need some helpful info. Chris...