Royal Guard Project

[Dwootan]

I've begun work on a Royal Guard. This costume is for my wife, CascadePD, and will be her first costume.

For those of you that don't know there are 3 styles: AOTC, ROTS, and ROTJ. They all have the helmet, the force pike, red cloaks, etc. However, this project will be for the AOTC version. The biggest difference is the cloak. The AOTC cloak has arm slits and the front cloak overlaps the back.

The inner robe is Burgundy premier velvet. It is very soft and very expensive. Currently, we just need to add the sleeves and that portion will be 98 % completed. The outer cloak is a Red premier velvet; very soft and very expensive. My wife stands 5' 9", so we purchased 4 yards of each color. The outer cloak should be lined in the same material as the inner rode or a similar color material. The gloves and sash will be made from the Burgundy premier velvet.

Here’s the goal:



I’ll be posting pictures this weekend of the current progress.

[Terry19d]

Royal Guards look quite regal when done up right. Looking forward to your progress, Dave!

On a slightly off-topic note, are the Chancellor Guards lumped in with TR's, or are they in a seperate costume class (and are they even an approved costume)? I really like how they look, as well.

[Rallyral]

There are also Kir Kanos and Crimson Empire in the CRL.

[Dwootan]

... are the Chancellor Guards lumped in with TR's, or are they in a seperate costume class (and are they even an approved costume)?

Only the crimson robes are accepted into the 501st. I am thinking about making a Senate Guard for myself. However, I'll have to see how this TR turns out.

Ral, That Kir Kanos is awesome!

[Dwootan]

We have almost completed the Inner Robe. Mainly, the finishing touches are needed. Here it is:



For the robe, I actually had an old priest robe lying around. It was used for the pattern for the main part of the robe. We added a few inches to the transferred pattern and sewed the front and the back together.



The sleeves were made to the length of my wife’s arm. We overlapped her arm and then measured what was needed for the wrist and shoulder areas. We measured double the length on our material and ribbed it in half. We cut off the remaining at an angle, sewed the meeting points, and we had a sleeve.



The gloves and sash will be from the same material. We should have the sash completed shortly. The gloves, hopefully, will be finished this week.

[kbfett]

Cool signature!

[Dwootan]

Cool signature!

Thanks!!!

[Dwootan]

We finally got the Don Post helmet.

There are a couple of required modifications. First mod, the visor needs to be replaced. We found a red one on the internet and hope to have it very soon. A red visor was used in the movies, black was mainly on the toys, etc. However, both are acceptable. Second mod, the helmet needs to be painted to match the outer cloak. It looks like we will be purchasing paint and testing for the correct color match.

Here is the 1996 Don Post helmet:

[Dwootan]

We're still working on this costume. We're taking it slow, because we're pending the new visor to arrive. However, I'm starting to miss the kitchen table.

My wife has repainted the helmet to match the outer robe. These photos don't do it justice:





The sash for the inner robe is nearly finished, just need to add the Velcro closure. The red velvet has been test fitted for the outer robe. Right now, it's two yards for the front and two yards for the back. You can see the material in this photo with the sash:



In regards to the Force Pike, we have our first draft:



We followed the Sovereign Protectors' prequel guide, of course some parts had to be modified due to availability. The main pole is actually a hiking pole from Wal-Mart. The grips and the piece that transition the upper grip to the pole need to be worked on. I plan on turning a transition piece and we purchased smaller tubing for the grips.

[Dwootan]

We ran into an issue with the outer robe. Mainly to get the correct look, we need another two yards. This will create that curved in look at the lower part of the back robe beneath the front robe. Currently, we're looking at six yards of the red velvet for the outside of the outer robe and six yards to line the inside of the outer robe.

Still waiting on that visor, too.

[Dwootan]

Okay, we needed an additional two yards to finish the back of the outer robe. Here's what we did. Each new set of two yards were cut diagonally to make "fins" and those fins were sewn onto the back. One on the left and one on the right. We had initially purchased four yards of red velvet and cut it into two yards each. Those initial pieces make up the front and the majority of the back.

Here's the right fin on the material needed for the left fin:



The neck ring for the back outer robe was pleated, which completed the cape look.



The front part of the outer robe was hooked to the back of the outer robe. It was hooked diagonally from mid shoulder level. When the two pieces were joined they made the necessary arm look we were wanting.



Our red visor has not shown yet. So, we decided to make a temporary visor in black limo tint that was left over from my TC and AR build. Here's the bucket:



Here’s the completed inner robe with sash, gloves, and red boots:



Laura made her first troop last night at the Topeka High After Prom Event. We found that we need a few modifications such as a ventilation system.

I'll post a full length photo later today.

[Dwootan]

I had to take a break on this one, but I'm back now. I've added the burgundy material to the inside of the outer robe's front section. I had to removed the pleating to add the burgundy to the back section. Once that is lined, it will meet the requirements for approval. Hopefully it will be done this weekend.

Oh and if you buy an additional two yards to make something look right, you also need to purchase two additional yards for the lining. Joann's Fabric must love me by now; they are starting to know me by name.

I'm also still trying to figure out that cooling system for the helmet. Stay tuned...

[kbfett]

Looks better all the time!

[Dwootan]

We've finally finished the TR build (minus the cooling issue). Here are some tips for those of you that might attempt this project:

1. Make sure you have a good sewing machine. We got a new one and it made the difference.

2. Some fabric is folded when it is purchased. So what might be 4 yards of velvet might be 8 yards of another material. Found that one out after I cut the material.

3. Don't forget to have fun with it.

Here is the finished outfit:

The action shot:

The inner robe with matching outer robe lining and the red boots:

The full length with bucket:


Now what can I start working on???

[TK-1161 Curt]

That looks really nice! Great Job!