COTF Darth Nihilus WIP

[Volund Starfire]

 

With my wife doing a Visas Marr, she told me that my other costume options are on hold so that I can do a Darth Nihilus. I liked the character of Nihilus, though he is a little hard to understand. In my opinion, he is evil. Not Darth Vader and his 7-foot-2 asthmatic rear who was a whiney when Padamamay or Panda Bear or whatever her name was died. He also was a lot worse than the bad guy from the first KOTOR game because he actually had a jaw (how did he lose his by the way?)

 

With that said, let’s get to the planning. Pam, you are a godsend when it comes to the COTF version of this costume. You are right that it is neither cheap nor easy, but after planning it out, it is going to be far easier than most. Still, that does not make it an Imperial Crewman…

 

Another reason that I like this costume is that it is perfect for the changing body. I am on a good fitness plan and have been shedding inches fast enough that it made my Vader body suit useless (reason I had to sell it). With this costume, all you have to do is tighten up the under tunic a little, tighten up the outer tunic a little, and call it good. That is a major selling point for me as I will never lose too much weight or build too much muscle to make it look weird (well, weirder than it already looks).

 

So, the first thing I did was to look for a good fabric for the costume. With my size and the flare necessary, using Pam’s Amazing Information, I found that it would take twenty-two yards of material. So, I looked up the suggested Raw Silk and practically had an aneurism over the price. I decided that perhaps a cheaper alternative would be to look for twill or other material… yeah, that wasn’t happening. This might sound strange, but the cheapest material I could find was the suggested Raw Silk. So, I purchased two bolts of eleven yards each.

 

Next up was the patterns for the inner and outer tunic. I actually already have the Simplicity 5840 pattern. This makes things much simpler as I can use the same tunic pattern for both pieces. The inner would be my actual size (it is supposed to look a little fit) and the outer tunic would be one size up (to give it more drape). The sleeves will not need a pattern as I plan to tear apart and old dress shirt for the pattern. The obi is going to be a Jedi obi that I already have the pattern for from the old Jedi Assembly page [No link as it is under construction].

 

The skirts will be relatively easy (again thanks to Pam). The outer skirt will be sewn to the inner tunic and the inner skirt will be hooked with a simple side-release buckle belt. I plan to have it go to the floor when I am barefoot. That would allow my inch-high boots to carry it off the ground. If it does happen to drag and get tattered… oh, wait that just saves me some work. It is going to be good not to worry about that, unlike with the wool and satin-lined Vader Cape and robes

 

The mask and crown will be ordered from a fabricator and will include an undermask that will have the lip detail. This makes things easier as I can wear a normal balaclava under it (no need to find the really special hoods. The cape will be added according to the info Pam came up with, sharing the same length as the skirting.

 

My gloves will be a pair of Damascus D650s. If necessary, I might upgrade to a set of custom-made gloves should these ones just not look right. However, I do not see this as being a problem with the look of the sleeves (loose, but not too loose).

 

The leather belt will be made by one of my friends. He is a great leather-worker. It will probably be adjustable in the back with a side-release buckle. I am not going to include a covertech clip on the belt because Nihilus’s saber isn’t visible in the game unless he uses it. Not to mention, as with my Vader, I will probably be carrying it all the time anyway. And if I don’t carry it (such as during children’s hospital visits) then they probably won’t notice it missing from my belt.

 

The boots will be a pair of my old Army LPCs (Leather Personnel Carriers). They are lace-up combat boots, but I have a bib that goes over the laces that completely hides them. They will never be seen, except when I walk. However, I don’t think anyone will really pay attention to my feet. This will also help with the comfort-factor of the costume, especially for parades as I am used to wearing them.

 

I am looking for someone to build my lightsaber. I am going for the “canon” version of the lightsaber. This is the one-handed version shown in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia. I like the bulbous look just behind the emitter; it gives the saber a not-quite-right look. Besides the normal light up red blade, I plan to also purchase a red acrylic blade for use in the daylight (nothing is worse than a picture with good and bad guys who are all holding white lightsaber blades).

 

Finally, and this will require the help of some of you to finish. I have a set of JBL On Tour speakers that I plan to strap under the inner robes with a throat mic for voice (since the under mask won’t really let me sound clear). What I am looking for is an alien voice changer I can use to give me a little of the Nihilus-like voice, but understandable. Something like a cross between a Ring Wraith, a Dune Bene Gesserit using The Voice, and the old-school He-Man Snake Mountain play-set "warble" amplifier. One thing I learned as a mute Vader is that people like the full immersion of a verbal character (just ask a couple of TKs, one with and one without a static-burst voice amp). Any suggestions?

 

That’s about it. Questions, comments, concerns, criticisms, critiques, crucifixion? I’m open to any of it (though I would prefer at least some warning for the last one). I’ll be posting things as they are finished for a WIP. For my submission action pic, I am hoping to get it professionally done with a fan/wind machine to resemble the COTF art for the 501st Main Page.

 

Wish me luck!

 

 

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Mask - Completed (Upgrading)

Inner Tunic - In Fabrication

Inner Skirt - Completed

Outer Tunic/Outer Skirt - Completed (Upgrading)

Robe - Completed (Upgrading)

Cowl/Cape - Completed

 

Gloves - Completed

Boots - Completed

Belt - Completed

Leggings - Completed (Upgrading)

 

Accessories (not required)

Sound System - In Fabrication

Sound System Harness - In Fabrication

Lightsaber - In Fabrication

Lightsaber Blade - In Fabrication

[Tags]

I wear a voice changer that makes my voice sound, like it's being dragged through gravel, I've also taken to wearing an MP3 player that loops the Nihilus sound track. Another Nihilius costumer I've talked to uses this combo and managed to freak a Vader out. ;>

[Guest Aysel]

Since I'm his seamstress, I can't wait for the silk to come in, it's supposed to come in by the end of next week.

[Tags]

I like the way the Gabardine turned, I'd be interested to try the silk but with four separate costumes on my plate at the same time, I have to slow down. Never seen a voice changer that came anywhere near Nihilus, but you can easily find the looped sound track... Still has the effect, last time I was out for a PSU thon, most of the students were too afraid to get pics. ;>

 

I have no Visas Marr though ;<

 

The voice changer I have has a crappy mic, so I'm going to look into re-wiring a a plug into it so I can use a throat mic, but when I was talking to another Nihilius, he mentioned a breast plate he wears under everything and it has a box that holds the box perfect, and ya don't sound like yer talking out your @ss. ;>

[Volund Starfire]

I'd actually make a harness out of straps to hold the JBLs against my chest (similar to what Vader's do under their robe). It will give the creepy stereo sound and I can use the harness to keep my pants and inner skirt up, too. Not to mention, I can wire an MP3 player into it with the Nihilus theme and perhaps some of the mp3s of him talking, just to freak people out more... I mean, to be more realistic.

 

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The belt for the inner skirt came in. It's a simple nylon 2-inch cargo strap with a side-release buckle belt. It's a little long, but it can be cut down. Heck, it is going to be holding three full panels of fabric (135").

 

[Volund Starfire]

Got a question regarding the Saber. Does Nihilus have to have a lightsaber hanging from his belt when he is not carrying one? I never see it in the game.

 

It's not that big of a deal, just means the inclusion of a covertech clip on the belt. I'm just curious.

 

Also, can anyone PM me a good saber maker? It doesn't have to be exactly like this, but as close as humanly possible would be preferable.

 

[Twi'lek Pam]

Glad to hear the tutorials have come in handy! Make sure to wash and dry the silk before cutting the pattern, because it does shrink a little bit. And then, get ready to have little black pills of fabric all over the place for a while after you've shredded the bottom edges!

 

There are no references showing any kind of saber clip on the belt, so it shouldn't be included. However, if you find that you want to hide a clip in the back, under the protection of the cape, nobody will know about it!

 

Pam

[Guest Aysel]

Glad to hear the tutorials have come in handy! Make sure to wash and dry the silk before cutting the pattern, because it does shrink a little bit. And then, get ready to have little black pills of fabric all over the place for a while after you've shredded the bottom edges!

 

There are no references showing any kind of saber clip on the belt, so it shouldn't be included. However, if you find that you want to hide a clip in the back, under the protection of the cape, nobody will know about it!

 

Pam

 

 

yea, I always wash and dry fabric before cutting on it, as for little black pills let me tell you a story about bright orange threads found months after doing pockets for an X-wing flight suit.

[Volund Starfire]

Okay, I have an idea regarding the lightsaber... Rather than trying to get one made with the bulb on the tip like the first picture a couple of posts ago, I am going to see about getting one made like the below picture and using bondo to make the bulges, then just paint them with an auto body paint.

 

[Twi'lek Pam]

Hi,

 

I wouldn't trust bondo with a project like that. It is a fairly soft material that would scratch and chip easily under the handling that sabers go through, especially at the edges. I would recommend using Apoxy Sculpt instead. You mix the two parts together with your fingers (they're like clay) and build up your sculpture, using water to blend it smooth. A half hour later the sculpture will be hard as rock, and it won't be coming off, especially if you scuff the surface beneath it first so that it can really make a mechanical bond. The sculpture will then be easy to sand and paint.

 

I used Apoxy Sculpt on my Talon saber, and I found it to be perfect for that sort of project.

 

 

 

Pam

[Volund Starfire]

How well does it sand? What I lack in my sculpting ability, I make up for in my sanding ability.

[Volund Starfire]

 

Gloves are in, and they are NICE! Damascus D650s.

[Volund Starfire]

Oh, also I just got the 22 yards of silk noir in! Yes, 22 yards. Wow, is all I got to say. That is a lot of fabric that I am going to be draping over my body. Thankfully, it doesn't weigh a great deal.

 

[Scottrooper]

Diggin the gloves

 

And yep, it's a LOT of fabric, but other than the cape wanting to drag back to choke you with the knot, it really is nice and relatively lightweight.

[Volund Starfire]

Actually, since the cape knot seems to hit at the same point where the under robe crosses over, I can simply connect it to the chest strap of my suspenders/sound system harness. If that's not enough, I can also find away to secure it at the shoulders as well. I'll probably go with a chicago screw under the "knot" to help hold it together and keep it down.

[Volund Starfire]

Okay, fabric is back from being cleaned (had to use the dry-cleaner as it says not to tumble dry and is a straight 22-yards long). My wife is currently working on her Visas Marr, but I should have a dummied-up* inner/outer tunic by the end of the week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Dummied-up: Scrap fabric used to make the pattern for size.

[Volund Starfire]

The dummy set is done. It is in black duck cloth, so it flows like ice cold steel, otherwise the shapes are good.

 

The inner tunic piece (first picture), closes nicely. It doesn’t have the edging on it yet, that will add a little more to the neck. Also, the length will be to only about waist-level. The outer skirting will be sewn under it. The sleeves will be made with a different material than the silk and sewn “well inside the tunic.” The inner tunic will also include caps on the top of it similar to the shoulders of the Jango Fett vest. The sleeves will be the sleeves from the same pattern, only lengthened slightly and quilted.

 

The outer tunic uses the same pattern but without sleeves (second picture). It is the same pattern and size as the first, but retains the length pictured. I am only going to tie it across the front (under the obi) to give it a baggy-ish look. Also, this will ensure a good flow to the bottom, similar to the skirting.

 

The back of the outer tunic also hangs well (third picture), though it will be mostly covered by the cape.

 

 

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Also, the mask and crown is ordered.

[Volund Starfire]

Since there are no real comments or concerns regarding this, I guess it is right. Time to forward it to the seamstress (wifey) and I'll post some pics as they get done.

[Scottrooper]

Yep, looks like you've got a good mock up for the tunics.

[Volund Starfire]

The outer tunic is complete, all except for the ties. Those will be added after the obi is completed (so they can be hidden). It will close like shown, rather than cross like the inner tunic. I haven’t weathered it yet, but I will be doing that soon.

 

It is belted with the simple belt so that you can see how it will be setting (though the obi will be 6-inches wide). It has a good drape and, even if it is not shown, flows really nicely when I spin.

 

 

Now I must ask a question. My wife is getting ready to put together the inner tunic with the sleeves. However, we are both tossed over which fabric to use. Below you can see a picture of two fabrics. The one on the left is 100% cotton and the one on the right is a mild stretch shirting material (very mild stretch). I have a scrap of the silk noir lain over both so you can see the contrast.

 

So, which one do you think is more appropriate for the sleeves? Right or left?

 

 

One last thing.

 

Over a year ago, my wife modified a pair of coveralls into an X-Wing flight suit. My wife now has a bit of a phobia against prison orange. However, our drier has a sick sense of humor and has given my wife a little gift…

 

 

Feel free to laugh.

[Scottrooper]

For the sleeves, I'd go with the fabric on the left in your pic.

 

Orange threads now, after you start weathering the Nihilus stuff, it'll be black threads forever....

[Guest Aysel]

alright, slightly shiny fabric it is then.

 

 

 

...dang orange threads...

 

 

...

 

 

[Volund Starfire]

The inner tunic/outer skirt is complete. It has been weathered (see below) and I am happy to say that I have found a new exercise for building arm strength and a good case of the sneezes at the same time.

 

As you can see from the pictures, the inner tunic is tied shut (like a martial arts gi) and it is attached to the skirt. I also wore the gloves with it to show that they look like.

 

The majority of the weathering is along the bottom of the skirt, but I included some light weathering up the front edges. I have it weathered up a hand-span (approximately 8-inches) and need some feedback on whether it should be higher (since it is the outer skirt). The front edges are only weathered about a quarter of an inch.

 

I have also weathered the bottom of the outer tunic, but it is only about three or four inches up. I will probably add more tomorrow, but it depends on how it looks on me with everything put together.

 

What I am planning on doing is weathering the inner skirt up about eight inches. The cape will probably be weathered at the bottom about a foot up, but will have weathering holes about three or four inches in on the edges.

 

 

(there isn't that large of a gap as shown in the picture, it is the camera)

[Guest Aysel]

we've kicked it into high gear (now that I've gotten my Visas to the point that I'm ready to submit) to get this done by Saturday.

 

I'm pushing myself to get the obi done tonight so all we have to work on tomorrow is the cape/hood/mask

 

what he isn't saying is that the tool he used to weather it is the cat's brush...

[Atavistic]

Nothing wrong with using the cat's brush to weather things. I did the same and found it to be my best weathering tool. It abrades the fabric and frays the cloth edges.