homemade star wars jedi costumes

I realized today that I never shared what I spent much of October sewing–these Star Wars costumes for the family.  I used the Simplicity 5840 pattern for Nic’s and my robes and tunics (and Heather’s white flannel Princess Leia robe, which we decided was a must because of our Colorado cold), and then used the basic understanding of how those are constructed to make robes for Ellie and Will and a tunic for Will.  The adult jedi robes (and Ellie’s Yoda robe) were made from a linen-like material for authenticity, but by the time I got to Will’s robe I realized that fleece was better for warmth (and meant no need for hemming!)

My sister-in-law and brother-in-law came into town the weekend being Halloween, and they made rockin’ Princess Leia and Han Solo costumes (check out the red tape with black [Sharpie] stripes on Erik’s pants and Heather’s perfect Leia belt).  I got to dig out my riding boots from high school (which I knew would come in handy eventually), Nic rented a holster for Han Solo and we made a really good looking group.

Boo at the Zoo has a large showing of Star Wars costume enthusiasts every year as one of the participants, and it made all the sewing well worth it when one of the clone troopers said “You guys look amazing.  Great job.”  Of course, poor Will wanted nothing more than a chintzy store bought costume like all the rest of the kids and cried several times over the humiliation of having a homemade Star Wars jedi costume when he could be something really awesome, like a polyester Transformer.

I told Nic that I’m taking next year off from being a Costume Nazi.  Will can go as whatever he wants from the Halloween store, and Ellie’s costume doesn’t even have to match.  Nic doesn’t say much about this, though, because he knows as well as I do that I’ll probably be back at the serger next October, working on convincing Will that whatever I’m making IS super cool.  😛