Merrin (Fallen Order) WIP

[cloudjumpercat]

Hi all!

 

Now that I’ve finally put together a list of materials and started purchasing some of it, I wanted to start my WIP thread for Fallen Order Merrin. I didn’t see a CRL for her, but it looks like one was drafted at one point, but I can’t seem to find it if anyone had a link to that. This is my first build ever, so I’m new to all of this.

 

Here’s a list of the materials I’m planning to use:

 

Necklace/Belt circle

3D print files from Etsy

Paints:

Rustoleum sandable primer?

Krylon base gloss coat, maybe in black?

Krylon premium foil metallic in gold

 

Turtleneck undershirt:

Pattern: https://simplicity.com/mccalls/m7999

fabric: double cotton gauze in charcoal

 

Red tunic/tabbards:

Fabric: trying out a few different samples to get the right texture and drape

Pattern: I might make my own, but I did like the Adeline Dress from Forget Me Not patterns because of the pleating, but it would need modification

 

Pants:

I might just buy some grey jeans or black jeans from Old Navy (since in the image they're a very dark grey, almost black with some weathering on the thigh)

 

Gauntlets:

Faux Leather: Signature Series Vinyl 54" Sable

Pattern: I'm going to do a duct tape pattern on myself

Straps: 10 oz Cotton Duck Canvas (58/60 Inch) in idk color, fabric grain matches that in ref pics, or 1 inch twill tape

Ring: something like an antique brass ring in a few sizes too big so the connecting fabric fits? or silicone Poseidon ring

Fabric hand cover: Compression Wicking Performance Interlock in black since it has stretch and a sort of sheen to it like in the image

 

Belt:

Side leather panels:

Fabric: Red Faux Leather Fabric

To emboss it, I'll use a mixture of EVA foam and Kobracast, similar to the technique in this video. I think I might use some brown shoe polish to enhance the embossed areas as well.

Belt leather: Brown Textured Faux Leather Fabric or same fabric as the gauntlets

Gold rivets: still need to find something for this

 

Boots:

I bought Journee Ivie in Wine, and I’ll cut off the extra straps on the bottom and add in the leather on the heel. If these don’t fit/work (since they were on sale), I’m going to try Crowprops Merrin boots.

 

Makeup:

Mehron skin prep

Mehron liquid FX in moonlight for the face, Mehron liquid FX in monster grey for the finger markings, Mehron light grey for the face markings

Lipstick: NYX matte lipstick in haze

Nail polish: Ella + Mila in London Fog, and a matte nail topper

 

Hair:

I looked around, but haven't found anything I liked yet. I've never worked with a wig before, so I'd love any company recommendations or tips anyone has!

 

I'll start a thread under this with some of the fabric samples I already got and some of the parts that I've started putting together.

[cloudjumpercat]

I made a duct tape pattern for the gauntlets and finally a paper pattern with seam allowances. I've seen most people put the pleather over EVA foam.

 

 

I also free handed her hip panel designs, but I made these on standard letter paper, so I think they might be too small, so I plan to redraw them bigger.

 

I also made up her face markings, just freehanded them and did trial and error to get them to fit my face. I plan on putting this on plastic so I can use it as a stencil.

 

I also got a few samples for her fabric. I really like the double gauze cotton for her turtleneck undershirt, but there's no stretch at all and it will have to be dyed a darker grey.

 

I also got a red linen to try for her red tunic, but I think the weave is too lose on a linen. In reference images, the weave looks tighter, so I have more samples arriving soon that I think will be better.

[cloudjumpercat]

I got the rest of the fabric samples I ordered. Here's all the ones I got for the red vest/tabards:

 

 

I think the rayon challis (top right) is my favorite because of the color/texture/drape. 

 

Here's the samples I got for the leather:

 

I think the brown is too warm still, so I think I'll go with the pleather I linked in my first post for gauntlets/belt. I think the wine pleather above will work for her hip panels though.

[DarthValkyria]

That top left red fabric seems to match the texture as well! 

 

There is also a Merrin build group on Facebook you could join. I am not on my normal computer so can't log in and get the link, but it is there!

[cloudjumpercat]

@DarthValkyria Thanks! I joined that Facebook group and looked at some of the different fabric samples they had as well. 

[cloudjumpercat]

I got the Journee Ivie boots in wine (they were on sale, so I figured I'd see if these work before buying something more expensive). I planned to remove the decorative straps with the buckle around the ankle with an exacto knife since they're sewn in. I can also add the black toe "cap". They do have a strip of leather that runs up the back calf that Merrin doesn't have, and I wasn't sure if that would be acceptable or not. The pictures make them look brown, but they are definitely burgundy in person.

 

 

 

 

 

I also started sewing a mockup of her red tunic. I got Simplicity 1064 to use as a base pattern, but I'll be modifying it. 

 

 

I also tried out some of Mehron's cream blend sticks, the light color is in moonlight and the darker color is in dark grey. They wouldn't set even with a setting powder, so I'm thinking about going the glove route with stick on nails, but I wasn't sure if the 501st was okay with that. I'm going to still try the cream blend sticks for the face, but I'm thinking about getting the Mehron paradise paints in hopes that they dry better.

 

[Cookiedala]

Hi Diana, Nice to follow your build topic here.

I wanted to share this link that has a great explanation of how to manipulate the darts in fabrics to make the little pleats for Merrins tunic. https://www.theshapesoffabric.com/2018/02/28/dart-manipulation-basics/

I would also suggest to make the skirt section from a separate panel in the front of the tunic, because the wrap closure doesn't line up very well and will likely cause the bottom to drag and warp when the top wrap is attached to the skirt portion.

I regards to the boots, I've very rarely seen a pair of boots that are fitted to the calf without a seam on the back, so I would think if it matches the leather intended for the side panels it should look the part.