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BazookaBaby β Star Trek TOS Uniform
Published: 2009-01-23 05:01:49 +0000 UTC; Views: 5663; Favourites: 18; Downloads: 586
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Description
Uploaded one picture of this a long time ago, just realized I never did my uniform grid deal.This was a commission for Dragon*Con. My friend Amber wanted to dress up from Star Trek, specifically wanted the TOS uniform. Now, I know nothing about Star Trek so the materials were all chosen by Amber. I know the original uniforms from the show were made from velour but the stuff makes me want to gag and it doesn't wear well, so Amber went with a good quality jersey knit.
I followed a pattern that was supposed to be from some Star Trek costuming website. That was an adventure as the instructions were written by someone whose first language wasn't English, and it sounded like they were talking to someone who had never figured out which end of the needle goes into the fabric. It was highly amusing until I realized that the pattern had no size chart, even though there were six graded sizes included. I had to do this kind of half assed measure-each-piece-in-the-same-place thing, then pray I was cutting out the right size.
I got lucky because it fit her fine. I added four inches to the overall length. I think she'd have broken a few decency laws had we left it at the original length.
I also didn't realize that the collar isn't symmetical on the shoulders (one side is wider than the other) so I resewed the thing about 20 times before I yelled something slightly offensive at my machine and Amber's boyfriend clued me in that no, I'd done it right. Fan-bloody-tastic.
Back closes with a zipper and hook and eyes. Patch and rank braids were purchased by Amber's boyfriend.
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Comments: 26
You are a FUN and adventuress costumer! 
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Haha thank you. The girl in the picture is my best friend. That pattern was a challenge. I've been sewing so long that at this point I don't need much help figuring out pattern pieces and how they go together, but this one wasn't at all what I'm used to and the instructions were less than helpful.
Came out wicked short even though I added four inches to the hem. Thank god for dance tights.
And thank you for the compliment! I like making things that aren't done too very often : ) I'm really bad about uploading pictures of my work though. I'll have to get on the ball with that.
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btw, I think that pattern would have been just a shirt if you hadn't added the extra 4 inches
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I wanted to ask a few questions about this if you're still checking your DA account.
Were the arms unusually skinny? Does the underarm of the dress fit tight against her underarm? How'd you manage the front and back pleats?
I'm working on mine now and it suuuuuucks!!! I'm having a lot of issues with stuff not lining up and I have super saggy underarms...I officially hate this costume.
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Hey, I am still checking this account. I've just been so busy for the last several months that it's more of look at other people's pretties.
The pattern I used was from someone on ebay. Amber's ex bought it for her and it was cheaper than the one most people use... I can't remember the name of either the one he got or the one that is more popular. There was no size chart with it, and the instructions were written for someone who didn't speak English fluently. I had to measure Amber about ten times and reference the pieces on the pattern and finally just guessed as to which pattern to use. If anything it was a little baggy but she liked it how it was. The sleeves weren't really an issue as they weren't cut separately from the rest of the dress - there was a seam that ran down the side and continued down the sleeve in one piece.
The pleats were done as an inverted box pleat. The pattern really didn't explain how this was supposed to work so I just kind of winged it. I hand basted it in place and then used an iron on stitch witch type iron-on tape to hold it in place permanently and then remove the basting threads.
I'm sorry for the delay in getting back to you - I hope this is able to help you and feel free to ask any other questions you might have!
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Thanks for the info. We got the pattern from a woman who had access to an original from the show and she made a pattern from that. It came with a size chart so that was nice. My BF has a copy of the older one you're talking about...the "guess your size" pattern.
My biggest problem, I think, was that the bust and waist lines weren't marked on the pattern and b/c I'm kind of a round shape, I wanted to fade the pattern lines in and out for the different sizes. I couldn't do that so I made the largest size I would need, thinking I could take it in. It didn't work as well as I'd hoped and I'm just going to have to give it another shot after the Vegas con if I want to make one for Dragon*Con.
I just recently discovered Stitch Witch (as in today) so I didn't get to use that. There was a roll hiding in my BF's sewing box. Would have been nice though b/c getting those pleats pinned and sewed down was a true pain.
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I told Mike, since he bought the pattern, that next time I'd just draft my own. It'd be quicker and less anger-inducing than the whatever-it-was he got last time. XD
And I totally get where you're coming from on the waist/bust line problem. I have the Patterns of Fashion books by Janet Arnold, and other similar books, that have extant patterns and I love figuring out how they go together... but when it comes to resizing them to fit me (because I don't have a 22 inch waist, even after a corset) it's always a challenge because conventional pattern symbols, such as the bust and waist lines, are not marked. Rounding up and resizing is a bit hit or miss for me. Sometimes it works great, others I have to start over a couple times... I'm impatient and I like to have things done NOW. I like the research and wearing parts a lot more than the sewing so I'm always so tempted to just rush in, but I've learned the hard way to make a mock up out of something cheap, alter it as many times as needed and then using that as the pattern. That's the only sure-fire way of making sure something is going to fit you right the first time you cut it out of your expensive stuff.
Oh man, modern convieniences. Disappearing ink pen, basting spray, glass head pins, stitch which, fabri-tac... the list goes on. Oh and a really good iron. I love the cool little tools and inventions that have come to light and make sewing easier. And I agree. Pleats are the devil, the end.
I'd love to meet you at D*C and see your costumes! I'm really enamored with your work here on Deviant Art and seeing something in person is always even more impressive than pictures online.
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I like the research and wearing parts a lot more than the sewing
Agreed! Although I do enjoy sewing to some extent. It's relaxing and something that not everyone can do...so it's a cool skill to have.
I've decided I'm going to remake my boyfiend's Trek tunic over using the stitch witch stuff. I blind-hemmed the whole thing but b/c this particular tunic was make from a jersey/interlock, all the "blind" stitches made little dimples...as I figured they would. Part of that could be I've not perfected blind hems...but I think it was just the fabric.
Please come say hey if you see me strolling around in costume! Actually, Friday during the day I'll be in my plaid dress and all alone b/c the BF will be taking a licensure exam that day. I wish I had time to make something new for the Victorian stuff...I have an idea for something but I don't know if it will look good. Mind if I bend your ear about it in a private note?
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I like it enough when I'm learning a new skill and it's actually going as planned, or I get to do neat things other than just run the fabric under a needle. Cutting fabric is a bitch no matter what the project is. But I do totally agree that it's pretty awesome being able to do something not everyone can. It always cracks me up when people look at me like I've just said I can fly if I tell them I can sew. I love it.
Friday at the con I'm going to be in my Jane Porter (Disney's Tarzan). At 2:00 we have a big ol' Disney Photoshoot at the Peachtree Courtyard~ After that I don't have much of anything in particular that I'm doing so if you're by yourself and you'd like someone to hang out with, I'm more than happy to oblige! And absolutely, you can send me a note if you'd like! No need to ask : )
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Jane Porter! How cute! I wanted to do that costume...once upon a time. I know of at least one other gal who wants to do a Victorian meet-up and we've tried to get the word out...but we don't have a time yet. I'll try to think about this weekend. :\
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There's a Disney meet up and when I found out about it I wanted to play dress up and there's nothing quite like Disney to make you feel pretty and oh so in touch with your girly-ness. It's not historically accurate Victorian, but it's close. Saturday I'll be in something from the Early 1860's which is Victorian but not what most people think of as Victorian. Sunday is steampunk and that absolutely would not fit in. However, I'd be delighted to attend if only to see everyone else's shinies!
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I think your Jane Porter would be welcomed, if you wanted to get in our picture. I doubt there will be a huge group anyway, so the more the merrier.
That note I was going to send was about a possible peudo-Victorian outfit but we went through the fabric stash today and the rest of my green silk is gone (must'a used it all) so there goes that idea. I could have sworn I had at least 4 yards left...enough to eek out an overskirt, but oh well.
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I have this pattern and have yet to try it. My BF just bought some weird stiff velour stuff to use and I'm like, "You're kidding, right?" because it has no stretch whatsoever. Did you use ribbing for the collar?
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Amber decided she wanted to use a jersey knit, as velour is rather... disgusting... to both of us. it doesn't wear well, looks god awful in photos, and is just generally gross quality and hard to work with in the first place. The collar is made of the same stuff (the knit) but in black. I think we got it at JoAnns, they had it in a myriad of colors.
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Some fans of TOS make a big deal about using velour and/or car headliner material. My BF has a tunic made from the car headliner stuff and they have got to be kidding. There's no way they used that stuff on the show. It doesn't have the same drape and there's no stretch...but hey, if they think they're right, they can wear headliner and I'll wear cotton jersey.
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I know, but it's not "my show" and it's not a historical something or another so my OCD didn't kick in. It was what Amber wanted to buy, and her boyfriend is a huge Star Trek nut, he was ok with it... I really don't know the difference. All I know is that when she found a velour that would work color-wise, it had no give in it at all, and when I touched it I almost gagged.
The Jersey is nice quality fabric. I don't feel bad saying we used it because the garment is well constructed, and it looks good on her. I refuse to take short cuts on a lot of things but that wasn't cheap and in the end it was her choice... besides, if someone wants to give me a hard time, they can use their own time and money to learn to sew and just do it again for me. Otherwise, who cares?
And... really? Headliner? Good grief. I agree with you. If they can do that, then those who use something else are perfectly safe in their choices.
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if someone wants to give me a hard time, they can use their own time and money to learn to sew and just do it again for me
Amen.
And yes...headliner! I swear, those dudes who say that's what was used are smoking something. I found a stretch velour when I was in Cali....I may try that to see how it looks as a Trek dress. Cuz...I really have no other need for 10yrds of red stretch velour.
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Drag queens maybe? Dem girls love their shiny. No, just kidding.
I just don't like the feel of velour. Certain fabrics just make me want to gag if I touch them, cheap velour or lamΓ© being the prime two. There were lots of folks in TOS uniforms at D*C, and maybe a third of them were actually wearing velour or something similar, and most of them I kind of wanted to throttle. If the light doesn't hit you right, oh god. And pictures don't come out right unless you're a size negative thirty and the stars happened to be aligned just right, plus you just won the lottery and the publisher's clearing house sweepstakes. One lady, bless her, made her dress of crushed velvet... and while I'm not a trekkie, I am obsessive about research when I make something... and I know that's not right. In several ways, very not right.
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My favorite is when they make the 'Wrath of Khan' Federation uniforms out of red broadcloth. 
Oh, now I'm just hatin'.
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Hahahaha, wow.
I'm not a trekkie, but even I know that sounds... well, awful.
I think every costumer has their moments when they stick their nose in the air and make comments XD I do. I feel bad (slightly) later, but it's never anything I say to anyone's face. I think in the SCA they call it "thread picking," but they're known for walking up, grabbing your dress, and looking at the hem to see if you hand or machine stitched. God help you if you glued!
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Wow. That's...intense.
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Yay! I think it looks pretty good! I wouldn't have noticed the collar
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Yes but I'm a special breed of OCD.
Thank you!
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