Solo Bespin Jacket
- Thread starter Dave Ward
- Start date
SirRogue
New Member
There always does seem to be that question of going for actual costume accuracy or screen accuracy for color and texture, eh?
Since costuming tends to be part of the same art as show business, namely, making your audience see what you want them to see, I tend to lean towards screen accuracy, or making my costume appear in person as did on the screen (rather than going for 100% production accuracy, but having it look weird without the filters of camera and film post-production).
An interesting discussion on the fabrics and colors; I look forward to seeing how everyone's individual options turn out!
Since costuming tends to be part of the same art as show business, namely, making your audience see what you want them to see, I tend to lean towards screen accuracy, or making my costume appear in person as did on the screen (rather than going for 100% production accuracy, but having it look weird without the filters of camera and film post-production).
An interesting discussion on the fabrics and colors; I look forward to seeing how everyone's individual options turn out!
Risu
Master Member
That's cool. I still have times when I lean that way myself, but as I've gotten more interested in the craft of sewing and tailoring/fashion I've started to lean more towards replicating what existed instead of how it looked on screen. In the case of this jacket though, if I wear the costume to a con probably every single person will ask why my jacket is grey.
Mitch LaRue
Well-Known Member
Man, I can't visit this website for even 5 minutes without learning something new and valuable...
*Sigh*
Ford, Ford, Ford... What IS it with you?
That Hoth parka; is it navy blue or dark brown?
That Bespin jacket; is IT navy blue or charcoal grey?
That Seaplane fedora; is it sable brown or granite grey?
Seems nothing is what it seems.
(Lookin' forward to seeing how your projects progress, by the way, fellas!)
*Sigh*
Ford, Ford, Ford... What IS it with you?
That Hoth parka; is it navy blue or dark brown?
That Bespin jacket; is IT navy blue or charcoal grey?
That Seaplane fedora; is it sable brown or granite grey?
Seems nothing is what it seems.
(Lookin' forward to seeing how your projects progress, by the way, fellas!)
Risu
Master Member
I got home tonight to find my fabric waiting. It's a little more plasticky than I had hoped, being 50% poly, but I think it's a pretty good color. At first I thought it was way too grey, but I've been looking at it for a while now and I can see the blue in it. Once I see it in daylight tomorrow I'll hopefully be able to form a better opinion and take some pics.
The last photo gives it almost a navy look, so your photos should come out looking pretty darned good. In person, who knows, but you may have a winner.
Risu
Master Member
Oh, and in case anybody else is interested, this is the fabric I got:
Pewter Grey Gabardine - Discount Fabrics
And they apparently put it on sale for $3.50 a yard, so it's dirt cheap. Get it while it lasts.
Pewter Grey Gabardine - Discount Fabrics
And they apparently put it on sale for $3.50 a yard, so it's dirt cheap. Get it while it lasts.
Mitch LaRue
Well-Known Member
Wow!
As far as lighting goes, that fabric really knows how to jump through hoops and do a few tricks!
Impressive!
As far as lighting goes, that fabric really knows how to jump through hoops and do a few tricks!
Impressive!
Yeah, the same stitching is on the sleeves of Luke's Bespin jacket.
Risu
Master Member
I finally got around to checking out the movie in HD again. I only watched the Hoth section so far, but I've noticed a couple differences between the pattern and the original.
1. The back seam on the arm is set in the wrong place. The seam on the original comes out almost right at the yoke seam on the back. The one on the pattern is distinctly lower. That's a really complicated alteration to make. It looks to me like the yoke seams are in approximately the right place, but could maybe be made 1/4" to 1/2" lower. That still leaves the seam on the sleeve about 1" too far in to meet in the correct place. The sleeve pocket may also have to be moved slightly to keep everything positioned correctly.
2. The top pocket flaps are not set into the front yoke seam, they're folded over and topstitched exactly the same as the bottom flaps.
Also, based on how the jacket was wrinkling, I'm inclined to say it was a wool blend, not 100%, but I can't say that for sure.
1. The back seam on the arm is set in the wrong place. The seam on the original comes out almost right at the yoke seam on the back. The one on the pattern is distinctly lower. That's a really complicated alteration to make. It looks to me like the yoke seams are in approximately the right place, but could maybe be made 1/4" to 1/2" lower. That still leaves the seam on the sleeve about 1" too far in to meet in the correct place. The sleeve pocket may also have to be moved slightly to keep everything positioned correctly.
2. The top pocket flaps are not set into the front yoke seam, they're folded over and topstitched exactly the same as the bottom flaps.
Also, based on how the jacket was wrinkling, I'm inclined to say it was a wool blend, not 100%, but I can't say that for sure.
Gatekeeper
Sr Member
There are some interesting on-set photos in "The Making of Empire Strikes Back", where Ford is wearing the jacket. The grey hue is quite evident in them - very grey indeed. Also, Lando's cape seems to have been considerably less blue as well...
