Ivy - South Texas ESB Chewbacca Build

posnivy1 (Paul Ivy)

I have officially started my ESB Chewbacca build!! Exciting and scary! I have ready almost every Chewbacca build post on the forum and have tons on notes.

I am 5' 9" so I decided I needed 15-18" stilts.

I have purchased stilts via Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GP04QJO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and at the ~18" mark will put me at close to 7.5 feet tall (including mask). So, this is my target. I have started practicing walking in the stilts... Lots more practice required.

I just placed the hair order via ikickshins & Samsbeauty. Samsbeauty had the best price, but only few of the colors in quantity needed. ikickshins had all the colors but was twice the price.

I ordered mask from EvilChimp. ~3 month lead time.

Mesh Suit - I have started building my mesh suit. Utility mesh from Joann's fabric (50% off at memorial day). Pants are sewn with webbing suspenders included.

Feet - carving from 2" insulation attached to stilts
Toes - Currently planning on molding from clay (large human style toes instead of claws) and then create cast from resin

Bandolier - Plan on purchasing from Mel Mattson.

Gloves - Need to find still. I want to avoid rubber. but looks like cloth or leather are both acceptable.

Bowcaster - Plan on 3D printing one.

C-3PO - with ESB version, i want to have the disassembled C3PO in the bag on my back. Plan on 3D printing. Found some files on thingiverse.

I will post pictures as I progress. Any thoughts from experienced Wookiee builders will be greatly appreciated.

Bacca9 () · Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2019 7:38 pm Post subject:

Welcome to the fam and good luck! If you need anything at all, please feel free to shoot me a PM!
_________________
"Let the Wookiee Win!" Dance Chewie

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secureideas () · Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:47 am Post subject:

Sounds awesome. I am looking forward to seeing what you make!

Kevin

posnivy1 (Paul Ivy) · Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 8:06 am Post subject:

Thanks. Anyone have gloves they can recommend?

Pants:
I used a pajama pattern as a starting point

Practicing on Stilts:
I did manage to get to the point walking without support and going through doors.
I am REALLY glad we have high ceilings!!

posnivy1 (Paul Ivy) · Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2019 9:26 am Post subject:

Mesh pants and shirt done

Hair arrived

Built a hackle. Blended the first set.... didn't go well at first. I had too much in my hand at a time.

I have officially started to latch hook. It took about 3 hours to complete this. First one took 15 minutes. At the end i was taking less than a minute.

secureideas () · Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2019 12:14 pm Post subject:

Now the fun begins! Enjoy and good luck.

Kevin

posnivy1 (Paul Ivy) · Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2019 1:57 pm Post subject:

been working on the pants every chance i get. here are some progress photos

posnivy1 (Paul Ivy) · Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2019 1:01 am Post subject:

After a few days working on it, progress seems good. Front is complete and the back is over 25% complete. Hopefully complete the pants in just a few more days.

posnivy1 (Paul Ivy) · Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2019 9:29 am Post subject:

Pants done!! Completed the latch hook part of the pants. It took about 7 days (~40 hours).

I cut each braid into 3 pieces. It took 2 sets of the grey mix and 3 sets of the brown mix.

posnivy1 (Paul Ivy) · Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2019 10:59 pm Post subject:

Shirt is finished, received the bandelier and gloves. Decided to put all that I have together.

posnivy1 (Paul Ivy) · Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:26 am Post subject:

posnivy1 (Paul Ivy) · Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2019 12:49 pm Post subject:

Approved on November 3rd!

Participated in my first troop: November 10th!
I was able to stand and take pictures without issue. Only went in when others of the group needed the break. so GOOD NEWS! Walking... different story. First time down the Wheelchair ramp was an experience (of almost face first down). Up the ramp was not an issue. Make sure you are slightly leaning back as you go down and having a handler helps A LOT!!! Rails are too low to use.

Sound Glove worked great. Freaked people out! It was awesome!

Handlers are a must! While walking from one location to another, a older kid wanted a picture and side swiped my leg as i was stepping. Almost busted it. Also had a family with stroller block our path (in the sun) to get picture. Handler was a MUST especially when you don't want to use English in costume.

Had some technical difficulties with the stilts. The straps across my calves slipped down on one side and caused it to loosen. I installed Velcro (sticky to stilts\sew on strap to prevent it from slipping.

Walked around 30 minutes yesterday without issues. Just need to make sure every strap is extra tight!

Next troop is this weekend.

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