Sewing Pattern for Darth Vader Costume
From LoveToKnow Costumes
The Internet is the best place to find a sewing pattern for a Darth Vader costume. Whether you modify a pattern or use a design made specifically for this purpose, you’ll have a great costume and the added satisfaction of having created it yourself.
About Darth Vader
One of the most popular movie villains of all time, Darth Vader is the anti-hero of the Star Wars movies. Millions of viewers watched with rapt attention as Anakin Skywalker transitioned from a naïve child to a ruthless evil commander. Eventually, the good part of his nature won out, but not before he’d had a chance to show the world what being the bad guy is all about.
Dressing up as Darth Vader
Darth Vader’s black mechanical suit has inspired thousands of great costumes. The suit serves a double purpose by providing both life support and armor, and it is one of the most memorable and elaborate movie costumes ever created.
For many, buying a Darth Vader costume will suffice. There are dozens of great choices available on the Internet and in costume stores. However, if you want a truly unique, high-quality, and affordable outfit, you may need to make your own Star Wars costume.
Should You Make Your Own Darth Vader Costume?
There are several things to consider when you decide whether to make your own Darth Vader outfit. Ask yourself the following questions before you undertake this project:
- How much time do you have? It can take several days to make a costume from scratch. If you need your costume for an event the next night, sewing a cape may not be an option for you. On the other hand, if you have some time, you might be better off making your own costume.
- What is your budget? Making your own costume is a great way to save money. You’ll have to pay something for materials, but homemade costumes are almost always more affordable than purchased outfits.
- How important is quality? When you buy a Darth Vader costume, you have to pay a lot for quality. In general, the costumes are made of lightweight polyester and plastic and may not have the weight and drama of Darth Vader’s flowing cape. When you make your own costume, you can user high quality materials.
Finding An Official Sewing Pattern for Darth Vader Costumes
When you make your own Darth Vader costume, you can really only create part of the outfit yourself. Due to the mechanical nature of the costume, some of the components will have to be purchased. However, you can dramatically reduce the cost and increase the quality of your outfit by making your own cape and suit.
Unfortunately, all official Star Wars costume patterns are currently out of print. This means that in order to make your own Darth Vader costume, you’ll need to get a pattern on eBay or use an existing pattern that isn’t officially for a Darth Vader Costume.
Official Patterns
Even though the official sewing pattern for a Darth Vader costume is no longer being produced, you may have luck finding one if you know the pattern brands and numbers.
- McCall’s pattern number 7772 is a Star Wars costume pattern for kids’ sizes. The pattern was made in 1981, but it is still available on online auction sites. There are designs for several Star Wars characters, including Darth Vader.
- Butterick’s pattern number 5186 is an official Star Wars pattern that was created in 1997. The pattern is for adult sizes, but there is a child-sized counterpart. Since this is a very popular out-of-print pattern, it’s wise to start search for it early.
- Simplicity pattern number 4426 is also discontinued, but you’ll find many online. The pattern was printed in 2005 and has instructions for making a variety of kids’ Star Wars costumes.
Modifying an Existing Pattern
If you’re having trouble finding the discontinued Star Wars patterns, you can also modify an existing pattern to make a Darth Vader costume. One of the best options is Simplicity pattern number 5840, which is a great cape pattern. This pattern is for adult sizes, and you’ll need to include proper accessories to give the costume an authentic appearance.
Don’t Forget the Accessories
After you’ve decided whether you want to make your outfit and found a great sewing pattern for a Darth Vader costume, you’ll need to make sure you get some accessories. At minimum, a complete Darth Vader outfit includes a mask, gloves, and a light saber. You’ll find an impressive selection of accessories at most toy stores, costume stores, and Halloween stores. Here are a few places to look:
Sewing your own Darth Vader costume is a great way to express both personality and creativity at your next costume party or movie event. Have fun, and may the force be with you!
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This page has been accessed 403 times. This page was last modified 14:49, 29 September 2009.
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