Padme Amadala Battle Arena EP2 Costume ?

Ladyghost4459 (Denise Cowles)

Does anyone know that the name of the kind of fabric used for Padme's white battle arena costume? I do not think it is just a Spandex, because that is too light and not just a jersey or knit because it is too fine textured, but heavier than just a knit. It appears to be very much like the kind of material they use for professional football player pants or baseball uniforms, but I am not sure what name it markets under. The stuff I have seen at Joann's rally doesn't quite do it for me. I am trying to do an online search for a supplier, but need the right name of the fabric to order it. Any help would be appreciated...a link to a possible supplier even more so.

Mieal Deneb (Rachel Orange) · Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 9:39 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't say it was football player pants material because those are generally shiny whereas Padme's outfit is more matte. I no idea about supplier, sorry.
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Mosi () · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 2:18 am Post subject:

If you know Clothears (Alison) from the UK, she makes an incredible top/bottoms, which is what my wife wears. I do know that it's two way stretch, off white, thick viscose lycra. I'm sure she gets hers in the EU.

Shoot me a PM if you want her details/email, maybe she can help point you in the right direction.

Also, I make most of the accessories for this costume, so feel free to ask Qs.

neimhaille () · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 2:47 am Post subject:

The bottoms are a mechanical stretch twill, probably cotton rich. Not all stretchy fabrics are knitted, some are woven and this is a good example of one.

The top is a double knit, not sure of exactly which but I have a length of Ponte di Roma which shows the same distinct squarish knit pattern:
http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/us/en/zara-us-W2011-s/122013/446570/PONTE+DI+ROMA+TROUSERS
If you look at these pants you can see the very clear knit.
http://spandexworld.com/c3/catalog/product/7002
It's hard to see the knit pattern here unfortunately.

Ladyghost4459 (Denise Cowles) · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 3:58 am Post subject:

Thanks. That second site is sending me a sample. The pants definitely look to have quite a bit of stretch as well and a similar fabric as the top but maybe a little heavier. The sport pants I was talking about are flat matte finish, not shinny, but my memory is from a time a bit farther back so perhaps the more recent ones are shinny in finish. In any case if the fabric from Spandex World fabrics is right I will be very happy. I always seem to get clients who want the Battle arena costume....one of my least favorite of all the beautiful costumes that Padme wore in the 3 different movies...

neimhaille () · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 7:45 am Post subject:

The pants are definitely a stretch twill Smile

http://public.fotki.com/kait/star_wars/fidm_-_dressing_a/20naboo22.html
If you download the full sized image you can see the wales clearly Smile

it also shows the really clearly heavy textured knit of the top fabric too Smile

I had heaps of fun patterning this one ages ago, sold my test piece and I bought the ponte di roma to test my pattern again with a fancy new double needle Wink

Actually I'd really love to make this with a cover stitch machine but what can you do Wink

I don't see many people link to this collection of photos but there are some really good photos of many costumes in there Smile

I hope the sample turns out well! I was lucky to be able to handle my fabric in person Smile

I think I know the kinds of sports pants you mean Smile

I'm sure I've seen somehting similar in a museum, I know the old rugby jersey's were made of matte fabric too. Now they are thinner and shinier.

Ladyghost4459 (Denise Cowles) · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 5:43 pm Post subject:

Wow thanks so much neimhaille. Excellent collection of photos. Now to find some stretch Twill...
Trisha Biggar didn't make it easy for us did she.
Rolling Eyes

neimhaille () · Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 12:26 am Post subject:

lol! No

I have heaps of stretch twill for patterning but it is not of an appropriate texture or colour. I came across some in white with a definite cotton mix but I think I passed it on as it is not in my (overflowing) stash pile Wink

)

I have found premade pants in the same fabric many times which is great for making over for yourself but not for commissions.

Good luck in the hunt!

Ladyghost4459 (Denise Cowles) · Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 6:09 am Post subject:

I found a great white called papyrus and it is so close to right on. Got the top material in a Ponte de Roma which has a really tight smooth weave and the stretch twill, both in a very close matching papyrus. I am ready to do this now. Still looking for a textured fabric for the wrap and I think a white vintage bedspread is going to be the ticket. Just gotta check the stash I have. Every time I see a fabric that looks like one of the costumes I do, I buy it and stash it for future use...that is if I have the money at the time....I have had to pass up some perfect fabrics when I was short funded and have regretted not getting them. Ah but that is the rub when one is recreating another's design.

Elith Dupar () · Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 11:00 am Post subject:

I used a thick cotton stretch, and it works beautifully!

kathgruben () · Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 10:04 pm Post subject:

Hello Ladies,

I am presently working on this costume myself and am having trouble figuring out the seam across the bust.

Would any of you be willing to share some construction tips for this?

I have read through neimhaille's thread and looked closely over her pictures like this one:

And I'm trying to figure out how to put the top and bottom pieces of this front part together.

Kath

Ladyghost4459 (Denise Cowles) · Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 6:47 pm Post subject:

This is what I did with the commercial pattern.
I also made a gusset for the underarm section
like it shows in the reference photos.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.358564834173922.91720.151290624901345&type=1&l=2f4c23b5a3

kathgruben () · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 1:54 am Post subject:

Thanks Denise, that helps.

I've sewn several costumes with varying degrees of difficulty, but I gotta say these corners are tricky! So much so that I started to think that sewing a finished bottom panel to the top portion would be easier. I did try this with one of my mockups, but it didn't look quite right. I kept looking for tips on sewing corners and finally found a link with some clear instructions on sewing an inset corner that helped me and others might helpful too:
http://www.burdastyle.com/techniques/sew-corners-right-angles-pointed-seams

Ladyghost4459 (Denise Cowles) · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 4:10 am Post subject:

Thanks KatG. That was a good little piece of info too.

Edakin (Edward Hendershot) · Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2016 11:38 pm Post subject:

Hi all..

My wife is looking to do this costume. Now neither of us sew. That's why I had my Jedi tunics done for me. I was wondering if maybe someone could do this one for the wife. This would be her 1st costume.

Thanks Edakin
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