chimei

is that your bucket LW? it's simply lovely....like the black wrapping down under the snout...superb. i'll definately be using this idea when mine gets here

batting comes in various thicknesses...not quite sure what others use (LSFU, etc.). i opted for soe iron-on fleece which was just under 1/4". it gave me enough "poof" and the iron-on will help it stay in place with repeated washings. if the seems down the front don't look quite thick enough, i can easily double up and have what i need. this allows the "weight" of the bund without adding too much actual weight - hopefully keeping things cooler. but as i said, still in the process of buidling it...so i may need to try it and troop in it to see how it holds up, feels, keeps me warm or cool, etc.

the duck cloth is a heavy cotton fabric. there are two layers of duck cloth with some batting between. the batting (stuff they put in quilts to make them fluffy) will be what makes the puffyness when you put the seems in the front to make the rows and the arch in the codpiece. you'll need to cut three pieces for the main part of the cummerbund (two duck and one batting) and three pieces for the codpiece (two duck and one batting). the two ducks are put together and the batting is put on top. then sew three sides together (bottom and sides) then flip it inside out. now the batting is sandwiched in the middle. sew up the fourth side. do the codpiece first as it will need to be sandwiched in there as well if you want to avoid a visible top seem. it may sound complicated if you're not a sewer, but it actually makes sense when you see it. i'll be taking pics as i build mine...so if you want to wait, you can see my build. should be done by the weekend...lots of tests to grade this week...a little sewing here and there.

@scarcasm - hilarous @cyberscout - already have the natural cotton strapping...i hear you about the E6000 to connect the pieces...though i thought rivets were stronger and permissable...though i like the gluing idea. thanks

i'm about to start work on my belt. i've seen several pics here that show the three SC belt sections connected with two rivets, and the whole thing attached to the belt-webbing with one rivet. is it lancer acceptable to have two white rivets holding the sections together?

curious how you guys get away with carrying these things in public? do police just assume they are fake since you're in costume? do you get permits? when i did civil war reenactments we carried live weapons and needed "passes" verifying the ammo was not live (just blanks) and that we havd been trained, blah, blah, blah...but that was before 9/11. or do you have to do that orange tip thing?

got an email from KS and he said that they are beginning to ship out the orders. mine is shipping this week (fingers crossed). i'm excited to see how it looks as they said it is from the newly improved master forms... we'll see how it all goes!

try this: http://wallofshemp.freeservers.com/501st/scout/LT_cummerbund_Pattern.jpg

i'm not sure that the paint will hold up more than a troop or two...

i was hoping to make the NYCC my first troop...but i'm beginning to think that's not going to happen only two weeks away

hope it goes well. i ordered the kit as well...and hoping i can make it work ...i'm still waiting for my KS. they said 4 weeks...i'm ending my 5th week...

i may put in a baste stitch - making it easier to just take out if it's a hassle.

looks great...but clearly the LW is a quality product...super helpful

i can't wait to get ahold of an LW! i'm wondering about the lens. it seems larger and more "open" than other buckets...and yours seems to have sharper corners at the top temple area. did it come that way or have you altered the lens frame?

i'm considering fans as well...NYC summers can be disgustingly hot. i'm concerned about the noise. how loud are these fans? i know they are tiny, but in a small space, it could still make it more difficult to hear. how has it been for any of you that have the fans?

This has to be one of the coolest things yet. Always wanted to get something "printed" into 3D. Thanks Leo!

i just got my TPE blaster kit and trimmed it down, sanded, etc. i'm trying to figure out if i'll apoxy it down or use real screws... as for the holster, i've seen some that have foam inside, others with velcro, and still others with a white strap (not canon). i will be putting a black strap inside the boot as diana and andry do. i may also put a second layer of vinyl on the right inside of the boot. this will also give it some support.

Ok...so i made my first set of pouches. i used the buckram again and they are holding their shape pretty well. the buckram is on the back, bottom, and two sides. the front is just frabic so it has some give. the back will keep a shape when rubbing/folding agains the moving cummerbund and chest plate. first i ironed on the buckram. you can see how it will keep its shape...and still has a lot of mobility. next i created a strip (3" x 6") that will hold the velcro that attaches to the chest plate, keeping the pouches in place. the cover flap will be sewn in front of that. then i started sewing the sides and bottom. and finally sewed on the cover flap. i had to remove it and shorten it about a 1/4", but it turned out great. now i have to get the velcro and stitch those on so they will stay closed. the one on the left is a little deflated, making the cover flap look too large, but when i put some soft foam inside it should be just right. i'm pretty happy with how they turned out...

question: how are the top of the flaps typically attached? in most pics, i see what looks like the flap attached in the back of the pouch and it is simply folded over the top. however, the blu ray pics seem to show that the sides on the "top" of the pouch are top stitched. adding the flaps to my pouches this weekend. which should i go for? sewn together on the sides (harder to get into) or the fold over version (easier to get into)?

here are some pics of the tea and coffee method. these are on the straight jacket i built for my Batman: Mad Hatter costume. this is the jacket opened up here is a little closer...the tea stains are made using a tea bag an blotting it, allowing the tea to spread out and soak in. once dry, you can layer it in stage unitl getting the desired look as you drag the same tea bags, let them "dry out" and they will start to fall apart, creating this dirt appearance that is much nicer to control (and easier to clean up) than fuller's earth finally, here is a shot of the sweat stains...again, layered tea - and without the smell of real sweat hope it helps

Count me in on a greeblie order

hi... i'm not sure if anyone can get clearer caps, but i just snapped some pics on my iphone. here are a couple things i heard about on the boards (so snapped them) and a couple questions: it looks like they simply put black tights on the dummy. this looks like a "softer" version of the TK neckwear...but i don't see it in any ROTJ screen caps. here are the greeblies on the TD...anyone know what it is? i saw someone post a pic of adm. akbar's rank pips...same thing in black? multiple straps on the knee pads? the left has three, the right has two....just holding it together? and of course, it's been said, the holster is on the left leg...????

tea and instant coffee make great stains for the "wet dirt" look. looks a lot like the water stains that sometimes appear on the tiles in a drop ceiling...

so i've started the soft parts...got into the groove by sewing the pouches. there are two versions here. the one in the front has buckram to help stiffen it and hold the shape...the one in the back is fabric only. i think i'll remake the second one and put in the buckram. i tried the flap, and didn't allow for seem allowence...ended up being 1/2 inch short in the width. try that again another day. next weekend is the bund! any feedback is welcomed.

so i spent most of the day at the Jim Henson exhibit at Museum of Moving Image...but when i got home, i put the trim on my boots. i used painter's tape to hold them in place till tomorrow (nice long drying time). also started sewing my pouches....those pics are in the soft armor section... love any and all feedback