Project: Crichton Costume

[NeoAngelus]

Hey all-

I've never done anything like this before, but in time for Halloween, I intend to transform myself into one Mr. John Crichton.

A friend of mine and I have begum work on crafting a pulse pistol. We're making it out of wood at first, and then we'll attempt to make a mold with plaster, and cast with resin.

As for the holster, finding a pair of leather pants at a thirft store should provide the material necessary.

And the PK vest, just altering a leather vest found at the same thrift store, using leather or pleather bought at a fabric store should work out.

Now, the duster could be an issue, but I'm thinking I could alter a trenchcoat that I have, but maybe finding another one elsewhere would be best, as I may need to use my trenchcoat in the future.

I intend on updating here with the progress of the project. I'm not much of a woodworker, but fortunately one of my friends is. Also, I'm not much of a seamstress(or whatever the masculine tense of the word is), but my ex-gf is. Thank God for staaying friends. I plan to take pictures every step of the way.

At any rate, if anyone has any tips or pointers, I'm all ears!

[Zutulu]

Also, I'm not much of a seamstress(or whatever the masculine tense of the word is), but my ex-gf is.
;) 'tailor'

Good luck with the costume! Sounds like it's going pretty well.

[NeoAngelus]

Originally posted by Zutulu
;) 'tailor'.

Riiiiiight.

See, that's what I get for writing late at night. I forget words. Thanks!

-n/a

[VodalianMage]

Hey NeoAngelus!

You've got the right idea going. :idea: Remember that anything & everything can be used for a costume. Being a costumer by education & trade (I got my degree in college in theatre costuming & make-up, & have been working on touring shows for the last 12 + years), I've learned to look at everything with different eyes. In other words - what can I make this piece of fabric or knick-knack into. Most of the time when I'm with friends & I tell them what I'm seeing or thinking, the reply, "I never woulda thought of that. Cool." So don't be limited to what the items usual function is. Be creative!

And... don't forget to think of what kind of detail you want to achieve - if it's something to pass close-up photo scrutiny, then more details. If it's something to wear for a costume contest at a con, that's another kind of detail & then there's the hall costume/walk around kinda thing. If it'[s a one shot deal, or something you want to use every so often just to walk around in, or use every so often that requires more strenuous use.

And by all means I HIGHLY HIGHLY encourage enlisting help :help: from friends who may be able to help you in any aspect - whether doing the sewing, prop work, or whatever. You'd be surprised how helpful folks can be & want to help in a team/single effort. It's really wonderful for bringing like minds together & pooling the creative energy together, too. :multi: :olympic:

For me.... what I've sort of 'coined;' as a phrase for a male seamstress.... a Seamster (kinda like a Teamster but for sewing). When I think of a 'tailor' proper, I think more of someone who tailors & fits suits. For me, a seamstress is someone who does all sorts of sewing - alterations, tailoring, creating, etc. But that's just me. (Gotta have fun w/it, right?)

The duster idea is good - you can get a trench coat at a 2nd hand store (whether it's beige or black) & alter it to what you need (like dying it if it's not black, etc). I don't know how it might work (for stiffness or surface look - if it makes it look like the leather or it might be too stiff) but you might try spray painting (w/enamel? to make a leather like sheen?) the coat when you're finished. The 2nd hand store is your friend! :clap: It's AMAZING what you can find. I made a pair of boots from a leather jacket one time. The jacket had the leather side out, the boots, I used the suede side. For the boots, you might be able to find something similar, & cover them over with a 'spat' (shoe cover like in the early 1900's) that has the detail you want. You are only limited to your imagination (& your friend's as well). Don't be afraid to brainstorm w/them. Sometimes it helps to get another view or way of thinking to help you out. :rainbow:

Can't wait to hear about the progress! Go for it & let us know how things are going. :charge: Pictures! we want pictures! :paparazzi:

Good Luck!

[NeoAngelus]

Originally posted by VodalianMage
And... don't forget to think of what kind of detail you want to achieve - if it's something to pass close-up photo scrutiny, then more details. If it's something to wear for a costume contest at a con, that's another kind of detail & then there's the hall costume/walk around kinda thing. If it'[s a one shot deal, or something you want to use every so often just to walk around in, or use every so often that requires more strenuous use.

Well, I want to get as high detail as possible, even though I'll probably only wear it once or twice this year. And any time I go to a convention, which this year, so far, has been a total of Zee-ro. Down from 2 last year. But the year's not done.

The duster idea is good - you can get a trench coat at a 2nd hand store (whether it's beige or black) & alter it to what you need (like dying it if it's not black, etc). I don't know how it might work (for stiffness or surface look - if it makes it look like the leather or it might be too stiff) but you might try spray painting (w/enamel? to make a leather like sheen?) the coat when you're finished. The 2nd hand store is your friend!

Well, from what I saw on the show, at least in Season 3, only the shoulder to mid-chest level and sleeves were leather-like. The rest of the duster was softer fabric. But I really like the idea of using enamel spray paint. I think I'll test that on a similar fabric, and see how that works out.

I'm trying to work out a day of the week for and my friend and I to work on the pulse pistol. Just one day a week, and we could have it done in a month. Building, molding, casting, et al.

I also just discovered a rather popular thrift store. I knew of the place, but never actually knew what kind of a store it was. I'll be hitting that place in my travels, for certain!

Pictures will be taken, worry not. Thanks for the encouragement and ideas!

-n/a

[AnnieBW]

Look at the costuming links on Karlsweb. He's got the patterns for the Crichton vest and coat there. Good luck!

- Annie