Mara Jade Arica Build

[CrimsonDawn]

Hello everyone! I am so excited to post my WIP thread for my Arica costume. I'm a teacher so during the summer I have downtime and decided to work on this costume for dual legion approval.

The one thing I found was that there isn't a lot of source material for this particular costume. Just a few shots and fan art. I researched what others had done and kind of went with it from there. 

This is my primary reference photo.

I was able to find a great knit fabric at JoAnn's on sale this week and bought 3 yards. In hindsight, prob could have used 2 or less but  yay extra fabric in case of mistakes!

https://www.joann.com/halloween-spirit-collection-costume-knit-black-fabric/11744018.html#prefn1=collection&prefn2=type&prefv1=Halloween%20Costume%2FDecor%20Fabric&prefv2=Knits&addShipToHomeConditions=false&start=1

The skirt I basically cut two panels (almost identical to Slave Leia skirt panels) and when I cut, I added a side band. I stitched the panels together at the sides and added a belt loop over the seam per the standard requirement.

For the cape, I lay flat on the material and measured my wingspan. I initially cut it too long as shown here:

But after conferring with a judge on the 501st side, I shortened it by 12 inches. 

I was able to find some random jewelry at Claire's for the circlet and bracelets needed. I bought very pliable bracelets and bent them in place and hand stitched the fabric around them. I am going to take the top ones and position them a little closer so I have more of a drape but overall I like how this came out.

I found a mesh black bodysuit at Windsor and it works perfectly! All I need to do is stitch the blue bra portion to it. 
https://www.windsorstore.com/product/On-A-Mood-Mesh-Bodysuit-060010082

I found a headband at Claire's that worked great for the circlet! It had some mesh gold lace over it but I was able to cut it off and have a plain silver one. I then bought blue/teal gems at Joann's and glued them to the headband at my temples.

I found thigh high dance warmers and am just waiting for them to arrive but I used these as placeholders for now.

I also lucked out and found a blue bikini bottom that matches my skirt so I can wear it under my skirt for modesty and not worry about anything showing through.

I am wearing silver sandals but also have these in black. Would the silver be approved or should I change them to black for my submission shots?

Here is my step by step how to for how I did the bodysuit "bandeau".

As mentioned in my previous post, I had already purchased a mesh bodysuit from Windsor and was using that as my base. I put the bodysuit on and measured roughly what areas I would need covered and how long the piece would need to be. 

Once I had those measurements, I took some scrap fabric and marked the length and width and also the center of the piece so I would know where to curve it in etc.

I then sketched out the wings and the center pattern just to see if everything aligned how I needed it to. 

I cut out the mock piece and pinned it to me to see if it covered everything I needed it to. I realized my mistake only after doing this. I had measured with my bra ON and since I won't really be able to wear one with this (yay pasties  ) I had to remeasure without a bra to get the accurate sizing I needed.

Once i was satisfied with the overall look, I then cut out my mock pattern onto newspaper so I could have a paper pattern to work off of on my actual fabric.

I cut my pattern on the fold so that both sides of the wings would be the same and added about half an inch for seam allowance. I cut two pieces and pinned them together before sewing. The knit was a tad slippery so I really made sure everything aligned before I put it all together.

I ended up making the wings a bit thinner and more finger shaped and that helped a lot when placing on my actual bodysuit.

Once the actual bandeau piece was sewn together, I tried it on with my bodysuit to make sure it was sewn in the correct spot and everything was covered. Luckily, it did. 

It wasn't too difficult to attach it once it was pinned so then I simply sewed the bandeau piece to the bodysuit itself. 

Once that was done, I put the bodysuit in an embroidery hoop to center the designs I needed to add to it.

Because its a bodysuit, it provides more support on top and for that I am thankful. I did a full try on with all the pieces and am very happy with how its all come together. My thigh high dance tights should arrive tomorrow and then I can make submission pics.

I ended up remaking my skirt and used an overlock machine so it wouldn't pull at the sides. I also patterned this second version differently. 

I cut two rectangles across my front that were the proper length and then cut a side 3.5 inch rectangular piece to attach. This worked a lot better in terms of construction. I then made 2 belt loops for each side. One is required but figured I might as well add both just to keep it even.

The belt loops went over the seam lines and attached at the back.

I have a wig that I forgot I owned. It was a tad long so I trimmed the back slightly to match the reference and voila! Done! I took submission photos and think I am ready to go. Any comments or tips are appreciated. Thank you!

 

 

 

 

Edited August 14, 2019 by CrimsonDawn

[DarthValkyria]

I see costumes like this and I get envious of them during the 100+ degree troops I have done in Revan.

It looks great!