LTCAlex

Okay, so I don't have any pictures because my friend hasn't sent them yet, but I did a test suit up and holy crap it was like the costume was melting off me. I also had a hell of a time trying to space the pouches because I'm a TIIIINY trooper and there is limited stomach-space "real estate" for them. Also my knee plates were sitting loose and so were some arm plates as well. And my backpack slid over somehow! Yuck. I've since filled up my pouches so hopefully they'll sit more upright now and put foam in my knee/arm plates so they won't fall over. The proper clips for my t-det haven't arrived yet but the pre-convention submission deadline is tomorrow so I'll fake it for approval pics and let the GML know that the clips will be arriving before the convention (hopefully). I also put a spot of glue on the top backpack holder so it won't move so much anymore. Will also add some velcro on the cummerbund to pin the pockets in place so they don't go over the lines. I'm gonna try pics again a bit later when there's someone to take them for me and I should get those pics right away. Will post them here after they're taken before I send them in. Will admit I feel like a walking disaster in these pics BUT this was valuable in showing me how to fix things I HOPE. Please don't judge too harshly!! [Edit: friend sent pics! I mean, it's not TOO bad, but I'm sure my "real estate" problem is incredibly obvious. I'm hoping my fixes will work.]

Firstly I'd like to thank everyone who's offered advice and shared what they've done. You guys are all amazing and I deeply value it. Secondly, my Garrison-mate Christina took pity on me and invited me over for a two-person armour party to see what we could sort out. The list of what we did is: - trimming/sanding/attaching boot holster, still needs some finishing but mostly there - figuring out/sizing belt - finishing sanding all the arm/knee plates and attaching second straps to the knee plates - finishing the thermal detonator (only need to acquire/attach clips) - trimming/sanding backpack for an infinitely better fit to backplate What remains: - finishing/attaching backpack - finish cleaning up boot holster to make it nicer - fitting/attaching/rigging front/back/shoulder plates - attaching crotch thingy to cummerbund - attaching pouches to front plate - TAKING SUBMISSION PICS ☺️☺️😊

I don't know if I'm just stupid or something but I'm having trouble making the belt work. I've been following the linked-above video tutorial to the letter but the belt keeps twisting around because the slots on the boxes force it horizontal and then the clips naturally turn around so they're not facing front. Am I missing something? I've tried it on, I've twisted the belt about inside the box (which seemed my best option, but the tutorial doesn't mention that or show it), but I feel like some big stupid idiot.

Sold! Sorry, been busy all day, but will give it a watch! Thanks so much. 💗

Can you strap both the top AND the bottom? Because if so I'mma do that I think. Here's the current picture, and yes, there was some reconstructive surgery done on this side of the backpack. If I can't sand it away to some medium of acceptable it's gonna become a blaster mark. I'm close but the amount of backing and forthing I'm doing on this is irritating. But if needs must... Also, I added straps to several arm plates and the knee plates. In the process of painting greebles to add to bicep plates and adding the top straps to the knee ones.

Does the bottom curve of the backpack have to meet up with the back plate or can it float a bit? I'm really having trouble fitting it to get it close but if I don't have to do that I won't. I don't care about Lancer approval right now I just want basic. If I want to upgrade later I'll worry about that later.

No worries! I'm just trying hard to make this costume work before the pre-convention submission deadline so I've got a timer going in my head, heh. It's playing with my anxiety. I do, and I've measured it against the blaster! I will probably put the blaster in while the glue dries so it all works.

So I got impatient waiting for an answer so I just...did it. Note that it's just fitted, not properly attached, and I glued the little strip on the edge of the sticky-out part and am waiting for the glue to cure before I attach. After I attach I'll trim the back part to match. Still trimming/sanding to do, etc. of course. Would do more but this is after a full day's work so my battery's empty.

Hey! Another trimming thing. I roughly trimmed the smaller part of the holster to approximate shape and size but my anxiety is making me panic a little. I took some pictures, including both sides of it and a size reference, and was wondering what you all think. Yay, nay?

If I've learned anything from sewing it's measure six times cut once so I thought I'd ask here on some trimming before I do it. Specifically, the belt pouches. I traced out a couple of rough arches and was wondering if these would work? I measured roughly against my thighs so they're an eye measurement but they look okay to me? I also have a Scout Trooper doll that I've been using as a guideline and the arches roughly match that too. Advice? Thanks in advance!

Various stages of dremel trimming/sanding, supplemented with also hand sanding. In progress! Aiming to hopefully finish before Aug. 12, as that is the date for submission for pre-Fan Expo approval. Pray for Mojo. Not pictured (because I'm tired right now) is that my chest/back armour has also been trimmed/sanded with preliminary strapping measured and ready to go. I finally did get my armour party and it helped IMMENSELY. I promise I'll get more pictures in the future. Or at least try to. 🤷‍♀️

So, whoa! Some updates. 1. Armour arrived! Yay! I don't have a pic of it all but 2. Friend came over to armour party with me and 3. Brought my boots! Here's some pictures. Please note that yes, my trimming is super rough, but I've been working/sick/exhausted/job hunting, so take yer pick. I'm going at my own pace. Garrison-armour party still hasn't materialized but friend has promised to come back because he's also working on a Scout, so we're Scouting ourselves up together! Also using the dremel is scary and loud and I hate it. I will do 'finer' finishing by hand probably. And yes, I did notice the little boot thingies are slightly coming off, but friend's promised to bring shoe glue to fix that down the line. I tried the boots on while wearing costume flightsuit and they fit, so that's more important at the moment.

Update! Thanks to a wonderful Garrison-mate I will be inheriting a pair of Crowprops boots that do not fit him. As for the armour, still waiting for it to arrive. I've messaged the maker several times and I dunno, I guess there's delays or whatever? 🤷‍♀️But anyway Garrison-mate should be coming over next week with boots for me to try for fit. And holy crap I never did upload a pic of cummerbund. My apologies.

Oooh just took a look and thank you!! That all looks very valuable and I will implement. OK! I will take a pic and post shortly. Sorry I haven't responded until now, life's been a little bit hectic.

So I fiddled around a bit with the soft goods and found out the flightsuit actually works just fine, I just can't wear a t-shirt like I usually do with my TIE Pilot. Fair enough. I haven't figured out how my cummerbund works but I think to make everything work properly I'll need to get my armour, so looks like I'm waiting for that. I'm worried about strapping, too, but that seems like something I'll have to figure out as I go.

Look what just arrived in perfect condition and fits like a glove! Woohoo!! 😁

Met with Garrison mate today at Obi-Wan marathon event thing. Have been promised armour party sometime soon.

Great news! No pics, but will try to take them soonish. I'm so excited though! Acquired soft goods today and two things: 1. It's almost a perfect fit! Almost too perfect, but will need to a) get front zipper fixed of flightsuit and b) sew on some of the velcro patches on the cummerbund. 2. He threw in a blaster so I don't have to acquire one myself.

I'm really sorry for my lack of updates/action everyone. I've been actively job hunting and my anxiety/depression has been pretty vicious. I'm also still waiting for an armour party, because right now I don't have the energy to endlessly fiddle with everything until it's 100% (or even 95%). That said I'm looking at training myself into a new industry which will hopefully turn out to be fruitful for me so once all the dust settles things will hopefully get back on track.

I can promise from the start that this will be a bit of a slow build, mostly because I'm already working on a shoretrooper and it's temporarily paused until a) my current life insanity calms down and b) I can attend an armour party because I desperately need help, but the stars have aligned to make myself a ROTJ scout as well, so thought I'd detail it here too. 🤷‍♀️ That said, I will do a list now. Helmet: WTF, fully assembled off the main 501st forum, currently shipping Flightsuit, Vest, Cummberbund/Pockets, Gloves: Fellow Garrison member selling his, don't know maker, will be picking up shortly Armour: WTF, commissioned, will be waiting 8-10 wks for it to arrive Boots: Will wait for wallet to recharge and then buy Crowprops Blaster: Will figure out some way to acquire one

Trimming my backplate and stupid question - does it sit flush on my back or is it supposed to have a lip to it? Ugh I feel so stupid. Ehehehe.

Oy! She's still alive?! Yup. Still working on this? Yup...technically! Made connections at the first con I've trooped in three years with a fellow Garrison member who's an approved Shore - wonderful guy - and he offered to print and send me some shoulder strap brackets and better sized/more accurate handplates! Plus he sent me a (future) mini-me! What a wonderful guy. What am I waiting for? An armour party or someone I can bribe to come help me I guess. Been battling anxiety and depression since my last job let me go when the contract expired. Got a potential interview coming so hoping things will get better from here but...yeah! This is 100% still in my mind. All the time. Every day. Glaring at me like my unfinished clone trooper and custom Mandalorian. Why haven't you finished me Alex...

Sorry I haven't been updating a lot lately. When work's not been draining me dry of energy I've been fighting a lot of anxiety and depression and that's a pretty knockout combination. I do plan on attempting to fit my chest/back plates and doing whatever sanding is left hopefully soon though. Seeing this one through to the end come hell or high water. I wanna march those beaches dangit.

So my Garrison had our X-Mas get together and I managed to elicit a promise for an armour party soon in the new year from one of our members as well as a promise of help, so that's reassuring. He's also the one that's printing me my blaster. I thought he already had but he said he was waiting because he wanted to coordinate with me on weathering so. Eh. 🤷‍♀️ Not like I'm in a rush with this thing anyway. But yes, HOPEFULLY there will be armour partying soon and potentially progress. We shall see.

Hey! Would you be able to send them to this thread please? I don't even know where to start with the rigging and will definitely need help. Thank you.