jen0farc

So my armor came yesterday! Yay! My goal was really to finish up all the soft parts before starting any armor work but actually it arrived at a good time because it allowed me to get a good idea of how tall the cummerbund should be. I taped the chest and back armor together, made sure it was placed correctly up around my neck and marked the bottom, then measured the space between the bottom and my belly button and got a whopping seven inches. Yep, I'm a little short for a scout trooper. (Sorry I didn't take photos of this process since my hands were a little full holding armor and chalk) So I made my bund nine inches, and incorporated an idea I read about on another thread of integrating a hidden separating zipper to help line up the velcro every time --- necessary for someone like me who sometimes has a changing room all to myself and may not always have someone to help me get dressed. Working on finishing the pouches next and hope once it cools off a little tonight I'll get it all on and post a photo of all the soft parts together.

Ahhhh, got it. Yes this blade seems like just the thing! Thanks, Jim!

OK question about the boot cuts. Every thread I've read mentions "cutting" them with an exacto knife. This is not working for me at all, and I've already driven the blade into my thumb once -- an experience I'd rather not repeat. I can't get the angle to make a shallow cut without risking further injury. These are the Texas Steers which everyone says has a soft sole. Can you Dremel them out? What is the safe and precise way to do this?

Thanks Jim! And yes Kelly, it's definitely tricky indoors to get great lighting, I should try more for some daylight photos. It's hard when I do most of my work at night! I agree about trimming the flap, but since I just checked my tracking number and saw that my armor arrives TOMORROW (yay!!!!) I figured I'd put the pants aside for a moment to knock out my vest so I'd have that ready to go so I can have everything I need to start fitting the armor. I followed the T-shirt tutorial and I think it turned out pretty well. It fits over my flight suit top but I took a photo over a blue shirt to make it more visible. The sleeves are just basted in place so if I have to shorten them to fit the armor I can. And in fact looking at these photos the sleeves are clearly bunching in the back and need to come in underneath the arms a bit for a better fit. How about the length, do they look about long enough?

Pattern locked in, I'm pretty happy with the result!: Thanks everyone for your kind comments. The neck of my flight suit top is the same fabric as the rest of it so maybe the appearance of ribbing is just a lighting trick? Next I made the cod and the mudflap. I'm pretty happy with how the cod turned out --- but on my 1st try it's looking to me like my mudflap is too big: both too wide and too long. It should be trimmed some, yes?

Kevin this is very helpful! I used this guide when I drafted my next rear patch, I also finished my flight suit top, I made it with some princess seams to give it a lady-friendly fit --- I figure you'll never see them underneath the armor anyway.

Thanks Peter! Haha actually I made an earlier draft and thought "mmm those patches don't come up high enough." So maybe my original was better?

LOOK at this beautiful pile of materials!! I spent my vacation researching and devouring the boards and the moment I returned I headed out with my shopping list and think I bought everything I needed for the soft parts! I've sewed many costumes and am excited I'll be able to use my skills on so much of the biker outfit. I love going for the most accurate version of any costume component but right off the bat I've decided not to make the flight suit to Lancer standards. This was not an easy decision and I thought about it a LOT and the plain truth is: I'm a woman who drinks a ton of water and needs bathroom breaks. And if there is a way to build a costume that doesn't force me to take every single piece of armor off every time I need a rest stop? Then for practical purposes I need to build it that way. Hence, a 2-piece suit. C'est la vie. But I figure I'll Lancerize (nearly) every other component, so then down the line all I'll need to do is whip up a second suit for that approval if I decide I want it. And keep the 2-piece for longer troops, etc. So: here we go! I want to control and customize the fit of the suit so building it from scratch just made more sense and will frankly take way less time for me than trying to modify a man's coverall. I also liked getting to choose a slightly less heavy cotton blend bottomweight twill with a little bit of stretch for comfort. The pants are a simple 2-piece pants pattern with an elastic waist. I tapered the leg to keep the pants tight against my calf so it will stay in the boots. I drafted a riding patch pattern in muslin and pinned it to the pants. It wasn't easy to find a reference photo for the back of the patches so I'm not sure if I have it correct back there, or if it even matters since the riding flap will cover much of it. Any feedback on the patch before I cut the suede and sew it?

Thanks all! I just realized one of the guys who casts blasters is right in my Garrison, just ordered through him!

Ah ok makes sense. Will look around a bit more. You're not being a hard case at all, this is very helpful for a noob like me, thank you! Just curious, is there even any such thing as a Lancer 3D print? Or are all the ones currently available with the correct scope, etc., are either rubber or resin? My other RL blasters are all prints and I personally prefer a lighter prop but I know the heavier feel is more realistic.

Got it, I figured this was a no-go for Lancer, but for something light to start out trooping with would it be ok? Would it fit in the holster, etc? I guess I was imagining eventually down the line like many I'd read about here I'd have a couple blasters: a light one for more active trooping and the Lancer "showpiece" for the bigger glitzier LFL events.

Hey everyone, I just ordered my armor! Huzzah!! So I want to start getting everything else I need in order while I wait for the big brown box to arrive. Is this blaster on Etsy ok? : https://www.etsy.com/listing/237482480/3d-printed-biker-scout-trooper-blaster The fact is snaps together really appeals to me since I live in an urban area and I just like the idea of something that pops apart in case I encounter anyone is looking for a reason to get worked up about a fake gun. I know maybe that sounds extreme but ... times we live in, etc. If this one doesn't work any other 3D print suggestions? I definitely want to go with the lightest possible option to start with. Thanks for your help and I can't wait to get started on everything!

So fascinating to see the original gloves and your mod looks fantastic!

Thanks everyone! It's great fun already reading through all the information here ... so many good resources

This is helpful, thanks!

Hey everyone, after considering a bunch of different armors I think I want to become a biker! That action figure and the "crashable" speeder bike were my favorites a a kid, plus I'm excited to be able to sew some of the soft parts myself. Looking forward to starting my research and planning learning more from all of you