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[Rhysal]

Alrighty, I have some things to share as I've officially started my build!

I've started with the flight suit, which I decided to make from scrubs, for comfort and ease of getting into and out of on my own. I was hoping for a light grey flight suit, but was unable to find scrubs in the color or price range I was looking for. I did however find white ones on clearance at Walmart, so I bought them figuring I could dye them.

This was my first time dying anything significant, and it went pretty well! I didn't even make any messes

Before


In the dye bath (with plastic around to protect my countertop just in case)


And after!

To be honest, in some lights they look kind of purple, but I think they'll be okay overall depending on what colors I put against them. I'm hoping I don't have to redye or start over with something else 

Time to start sleeves! I don't really like the look of sewing long sleeves to the short scrub sleeves, so I removed them entirely and cut new sleeves from an extra pair of scrub pants. I used a long sleeve shirt that I think fits fairly well as a template.




Tada!


For pants I basically did the same thing, used a pair of pants as a guide. I went a little wider than these however as they fit fairly snug.


Then tried them on to be sure before cutting, hehe. Don't mind my horrible lighting.


I don't have any decent in-process pics of that but you get the idea. They're pants.

Here is the suit so far, and I do have a few comments about it.
- sleeves need to be hemmed and maybe taken in a bit yet, I just am not quite sure where to end them in relation to gloves and gauntlets/vambraces
- same for legs, they need to be hemmed but i'm not sure where just yet. Once they are hemmed, I'm sure the bunching at knees and ankles will be taken care of
- I will likely sew down the hip pockets, but I wonder if I can keep the leg pockets? I probably won't use them, but I don't think they're interfere with armour or flap open. I just think the fabric might be discoloured a bit underneath from the dye and it would be less noticeable to leave them on. I can sew them shut if necessary
- Shirt will fit more snugly once a vest and belts are worn. Honestly if I take either of these pieces in any more I won't be able to get out of them ^^'



So, that's where I'm at! I'm happy with the progress so far, and of course will welcome feedback 
(I may need to edit this if the images are wonky. I'm new at this!)

[Cavian_Morloc]

Oritsir...! You're sewing your entire softsuit yourself? I applaud you, vod, for having the patience I don't think I will ever have- I just ordered a military flight suit online. Very good work on what you've gotten done so far!

[Havelock]

Very nice!

[Kris Jasra]

Very nice. I made one of my flighsuits myself and it's actually a little looser than that and it still pulls at the seams when I kneel down, so don't try to make a skin tight suit with non stretch material

Correct on the pockets, sew up the hip pockets or remove them. The leg pockets can remain, though I do suggest using them if you don't have thigh armour and put tools and such in them to add to your character.

[Rhysal]

Oritsir...! You're sewing your entire softsuit yourself? I applaud you, vod, for having the patience I don't think I will ever have- I just ordered a military flight suit online. Very good work on what you've gotten done so far!

Thank you much, vod, but I actually started with some scrubs that I purchased and have altered them from there ^^' I am forcing myself to be patient with this build though, as I often rush things and am not happy with the end result. Right now I only have basic sewing skills but I think they should do the trick!
I am going to attempt to make a vest as well, in an effort to save some funds. If it is a total failure, I might have to do some shopping online for one!

Very nice!

Thank you! 

Very nice. I made one of my flighsuits myself and it's actually a little looser than that and it still pulls at the seams when I kneel down, so don't try to make a skin tight suit with non stretch material

Correct on the pockets, sew up the hip pockets or remove them. The leg pockets can remain, though I do suggest using them if you don't have thigh armour and put tools and such in them to add to your character.

Thank you for the input vod, very good to know re: pockets! I wasn't sure if I could use them for tools etc, so I'll see what I can come up with.

And regarding tightness, I tested them out the other day (how it must have looked, squatting and kneeling all over the place) and I can kneel fine in them but squatting becomes a bit restricted... But I thought it might be in the end with armour anyways? I was mostly concerned about it looking bunched up once knees or other legs plates were attached/strapped on so I wanted to go for as slim a fit as possible.

I will have to continue my work soon, this build is on my mind a lot at work during the day!

[Kris Jasra]

I made sure I could do pretty much any movement in my softs and then in my armour before making anything. The looks I get from some of my clanmates when I sit myself down crosslegged on the floor is priceless and well worth the time spent testing.

Using scrubs or any other non stretchy material you will end up with some wrinkling and bunching on both arms and legs once armour is strapped on - it's when the bunching is enough that it's hanging over the armour that you know you have some sewing to do. If you want to remove that entirely and have it look skin tight you have to use something with elastane or variants thereof in it so that it stretches with your body movements rather than ripping. Trying to go skin tight with non stretch material will severely limit mobility unless you want to hear things ripping. It's why the CRLs merely state (to paraphrase): 'well tailored and not ultra baggy', as that covers different materials and how much you have to leave to allow for movement in each one.

[Kryamla Redalur]

I don’t have anything to add that Kris hasn’t but just wanted to say this is looking great so far

[Rhysal]

So it's been a while, and I haven't had much time to work on anything but hoping I can get some done this weekend. I ended up finding another pair of scrubs on sale in a color that I liked a better, so now I have to make myself another flight suit... but I think I will like it much better! Then continue tackling the vest. I think I'm close with the pattern so I just have to keep plugging along with it.

I also picked up a pair of boots second hand that I hope can work, I want to try making spats like these so I can cover up the zipper & buckles, and remove them if necessary. https://mandalorianmercs.org/forum/index.php?topic=136273.msg1759692#msg1759692

I will need to find some insoles for them too as they could use a bit more support. But I have another pair of boots that I use for a costume, and putting insoles in them helped quite a bit. I could spend a whole day in them at a con, so I'm optimistic for these ones! 

[Rhysal]

Long time no update!

I made a flight suit V.2, as I found some scrubs on sale in a better color. So, a chance to make it a little better fitting!

I pinned the pants and did all kinds of squats and stuff to make sure I had a wide range of motion


Also, some not great photos taken with a timer, but hopefully it gives an idea of how it all fits and looks. Sorry for bad quality on the second one, it resized poorly...


Sleeves and legs need to be hemmed yet.

Top was made the same way as before, sleeves were removed and longer sleeves added from a second pair of pants. It's a little tough to get out of, so I might add a zipper in the front, just for ease of getting out of it ^^'



I also got a lot done on a vest!

Patterning:


I used a pattern/system of measuring the body at different points and drawing out a pattern. It needed some adjustment for the female form, but it was a good base to start out with. I also decided to do a princess seam because, again, female form...

Trial run with some scrap fabric:


Added interfacing to the middle panel for some extra strength


I had some excess fabric at the upper chest (as I'm not terribly experienced with pattern making and sewing) so I figured adding darts would be the easiest way to deal with it. It should be covered up by the collar plate 



And this is where we're at so far! I think the fit and length is good, the bottom is pretty much at my belly button. I do need to take it in a bit at the armpits, it's a little wide and baggy there, and then add shoulders and a neck seal. Hoping to tackle that in the next few weeks.



Bonus:
I might dye this fabric and do some spats around these boots. I also plan to make shins that will probably attach to these with velcro

[osukaru]

I like many such advances in your boots. looks great
Keep on showing your progress.

Regards
Oscar 

[Rhysal]

Long, long time, no update. I've been working on parts here and there, and am starting to see things come together. Sort of.

I tried on what I have so far, and it was hard to get a good shot of everything, bit this gives an idea of how it's going



Still need to hem the vest, add shoulders and neck seal, and I might add buckles on the side rather than velcro. It's tough to do it up currently.

I've started attaching the fabric strips to the boot covers, we'll see how they turn out. I also started making a belt pouch but am unhappy with it so I'll have to redo it. Girth belt is looking okay, I hope it stays together!

I bought a dark blue skirt at the thrift store that I want to turn into a kama of sorts. Can it be asymmetrical? I have seen a lot of even ones and just wonder if I can make one that is longer on one side.

Honestly I'm trying not to be discouraged, some of the fabric stuff is difficult and time consuming and I haven't been that happy with some of the outcomes

[Kris Jasra]

Kamas can indeed be asymmetrical.

And don't worry, that's all better than my first attempts many years ago...

[KaylinSilverfurr]

Oya Rhysal!

Yes, the Soft Parts portion of a build can be the most cumbersome for sure. But you got this. Soft Parts are foundational items, and its important that they fit not only because of looks, but also as functionality.

In terms of your neck seal; are you planning to make it a permanent attachment? I have a neck seal that I was able to swipe from the Alor'ad, and it has both snaps and velcro, and sits just under the neckline of the vest. Its a little easier to get off and on, as well as keep clean after trooping. It might be an option to consider, and I'm more than happy to let you see mine to make a pattern after if you need.

~Kaylin
(Shauna)

Edit: Damn autocorrect.

[GardenGeek]

Your soft parts are looking great, I really like the grey you chose!  I recommend a separate neck seal if you’re already having a tough time getting the top of your fligh suit on and off

[Rhysal]

Thanks all, this is nice to hear and quite reassuring and encouraging to be honest!

I'm making the neck seal as a separate piece, I have the rectangular piece already and need to add a closure (probably velcro) and the larger piece that sits on my chest/under the vest.