My not-so-budget Jack Sparrow build

[mizestang]

Yea, the cuff and the shaft are separate pieces. I sewed up the back of all the pieces and also made a line of stitch around the hem of the cuff and the edge of the upper. Tooling leather is a natural undyed leather that you can buy in any thickness. You can get it at Tandy leather factory. A word of advice though, I've been a professional leather worker for over a year with years of leather working experience before that and this project has been HARD for me. I'd say one of the hardest things I've ever attempted. I don't know why the general opinion of boot modding is "oh yea, it's pretty easy." It's not. The exaggerated shape of my base boots didn't help, I'm sure.

The upper pattern is just by eye. It took a lot of guess work to figure that one out, and it took effort to make it line up properly while gluing it down just because the leather has to stretch to such a huge degree to get around the sides. From now on I'll just buy leather and boot soles and make the damn things from scratch, it'll be a heck of a lot easier.

Now I know why your work is so good! I wondered why you were so good at leather work. hehe.

Well, I'm not sure how I can do, but I'm giving it a try. Here's a few pics of where I started and where I am at now.

 

[Risu]

Looks like a good start. Most of the reason this project is giving me so much grief is because I wanted these things to not only look like suede boots, but to look as close to the caboots as possible, which meant I couldn't do the separate heel, toe, and shaft pieces.

 

[TheNickFox]

Most of the reason this project is giving me so much grief is because I wanted these things to not only look like suede boots, but to look as close to the caboots as possible, which meant I couldn't do the separate heel, toe, and shaft pieces.

Well, you succeeded! The boots look fantastic. Forget "close enough" I'd say those things are "too close for comfort."

Awesome job. Can't wait to see them with the rest of the costume.

And thanks for posting the templates. I've been thinking of tackling the boots for a while, and those templates will be a big help if I do.

-Nick

 

[Risu]

It's actually a good thing I took those photos, because I just cut a corner by trimming the cuff pattern to make the "interfacing" pattern. The second boot is well on its way to being finished. I learned a lot about the best order in which to glue down segments of the upper. (the leather weld just wasn't working, had to use the barge because it holds instantly on contact after its 15 minute dry time, hence the several hours for the one piece) Now that I know what not to do, gluing the second upper down is taking less time. I may finish yet.

 

[Risu]

Ran out of Barge, have to wait until Ace Hardware opens at 8 to go get more so I can finish the boot. Hopefully that'll give it enough time to dry that it won't fall apart while I'm walking around tonight.

Also, button holes are HARD. They're not so bad once you get a good procedure figured out, but the machine keeps jamming up and the zig zag stitch keeps turning out all lumpy and uneven. My machine isn't the best ever, but this is just ridiculous. Two of the ones I've done so far look decent enough, but the third was terrible.

At any rate, 3 more and I can attach the flaps and pocket buttons, then do the bulk of the work putting all the pieces together. Worst case scenario, I sew the buttons on in the car and leave the closure button holes for another day, but that's only if I run out of time. I'm feeling pretty good about things right now.

 

[mizestang]

Looks like a good start. Most of the reason this project is giving me so much grief is because I wanted these things to not only look like suede boots, but to look as close to the caboots as possible, which meant I couldn't do the separate heel, toe, and shaft pieces.

Thanks. I had no idea how to do a 1 piece, so thats why I followed Sith's deal. I searched the internet forever to try and find a pattern for a 1 piece.
So when I finish the boots, would it be feasible to bring them in to a shoe repair person to sew them up? What would something like that cost?

 

[Risu]

If you do it the way I did, you have to sew the pieces up the back before you glue them together. You can bring them to a shoe repair place and they probably won't charge too much to just sew a few pieces of leather, since they have machines for it.

 

[mizestang]

Cool! Thanks for the help. Going to try doing the shafts this weekend.

 

[Risu]

Well, I'm very proud to finally be posting this picture:

Before I head out the door I'm going to dirty them up with a bit of black and brown shoe polish, same as I did the breeches. Also made some progress on the waistcoat:

Getting very close now. The pockets ended up lower than I wanted them, I've seen other waistcoats that are the same way and didn't like the look of it, but it's too late now.

 

[BRRogers]

Dude, if you run out of time on the buttons use button pins.

May not make it look perfect, but the buttons will be 'on'

 

[Risu]

Dang, I wish I had known about those. I ended up not being able to get the buttons or button holes on the waistcoat, and the cinchers in the back may need to be redone later, but I got it to a wearable state in time. A friend of mine that went with me made my beard braids while I was finishing the waistcoat, and she didn't go off of any photo reference, so they ended up a little long, but still looked pretty good all things considered. It was a REALLY fun and surprisingly comfortable costume to wear.

Also, I ran into a few people including Capt. Jack Savvy with his incredibly impressive wig.

 

[Risu]

As an addendum, I really want to thank Shylaah for all her help. If it weren't for all the tips she gave me I wouldn't have gotten anywhere.

Also, I was unsurprised by the other Jacks I encountered in the park. Jack Savvy and the others that I saw with him were all perfectly polite and friendly, but the others I bumped into really did fit the rude and snobbish stereotype I had been warned by others to expect. I don't know if they're on this forum, but come on guys, don't be like that. Feel free to talk about the flaws in my costume after I leave, but don't be a total ***hole and make fun of a guy you don't even know to his face. Despite those couple of guys, it was still a great time.

I'll keep updating this thread periodically as I finish up the costume. I'll be starting on the hat soon and the waistcoat will be done once I get the nerve to sit down for a few hours and finish it. A Zizzle pistol and Disguise sword are also on their way to me, which I'll be repainting and making a real leather scabbard and handle for.

 

[pinder91]

Really well done, man!

 

[WarMachine]

Sweet. This ended up looking really cool. Great work

My friend was as Disneyland on Friday night too. She said that they set some of the park up like Tron. Sounded pretty cool.

Sucks about the idiots though. I can't help but feel like there are elitists with any kind of costuming these days. I mean seriously, who stands there and blatantly criticizes a costume right in front of the persons face? Some people are just born jerks.

 

[mizestang]

Risu, how did you get the bell to flare out like that? I don't want it to "hug" the boot.

 

[mizestang]

Another question for you. Do you think I could use a western style boot shaft and glue over that, or could I use just a stiffer piece of leather for the inner liner and glue to that.

 

[Risu]

The stiffer liner piece would work just fine as well. I got the bell to flare out just by the shape of the pattern (different curve from the shaft piece) and by interfacing it with a second layer of leather to make it more rigid.

Thanks for the compliments guys. I didn't see the Tron section of the park, that sounds cool. I did see a cute girl in a tron costume, though. Oh, and I saw a tenth Doctor and Rose, complimented him on his costume, but didn't get a chance to get a picture. If you're reading this, what kind of suit did you have? It looked more legit than any of the current offerings, although I only caught a glimpse.

 

[The-Clayster]

If I had the experience you had with leather I would try my hand at the boots, as I found some today that were perfect for Jack's. Oh well, such is life. Great job man, the whole thing looks great!

 

[Elvenguard13]

Dude seriously check out ALL the links I posted. Costume base is easily the biggest beginners mistake you can make. When it comes to Jack unless you're making the stuff yourself you have to shell out the $$$.

I would try to get a refund - their stuff is 100% garbage. Everything is wrong. I'm telling you man - the best thing you can possibly do is check out KTTC and sign up. You'll save yourself A LOT of bloody headaches in the long run ! When if comes to Jack you are wasting your time with the RPF. The resources and guidance you seek is on KTTC.


To quote Jack:

It shall all have to be redone! All of it ! And let this be a lesson to the lot of you !


God speed

Moony

Uh oh.......:confused


I just ordered the three belt buckle set from them on ebay..... I haven't paid for them yet though. Will I be able to cancel my order?

What about the Empire world buckles?

 

[pinder91]

What about the Empire world buckles?

Why not just get the ACME buckles and be done with it?

Here's a current listing of what Richard has for sale:
acme brand items - Get great deals on Clothing, Shoes Accessories, Entertainment Memorabilia items on eBay.com!