Padme Amidala Padme Dark Senate Dress

..up...because I want to see pics!

 

I feel like adding in my two cents (or three, or four!) since I'm making an Elizabethan gown at the moment.

It looks like the dress is made of several different pieces:
- The underskirt (gold)
- The bodice (gold)
- The overskirt (dark blue velvet)
- A short "overbodice" or jacket with sleeves (dark blue velvet)
- Undersleeves (purple shiny stuff)
- Shawl on the back, sewed onto the jacket beneath the collar (lighter purple and black)

I'm using Margo Anderson's Historical Patterns, so that's who I'm referencing- and her patterns are *accurate*.

The bodice is a doublet-style bodice: high neck, and in this case it closes in back (probably with a zipper for Natalie's sake, though it would have been laced shut, historically). The bodice is most likely sleeveless, to ease bulk.

The underskirt is probably (for economy's sake) a forepart of the gold fabric, with the rest of the skirt being black or dark blue plain fabric. The forepart would need to be *extremely* stiff; I'm flatlining the forepart for my dress with bull denim. Heck, flatline it with cardboard if it'll keep the thing stiff! This underskirt, by the way, is probably cartridge pleated to provide fullness.

The overskirt is also likely cartridge pleated, and stitched to a waistband (which would be reinforced with belt stiffener). In this case, the raw edges of the front part of the overskirt are folded under and back, to create a flat space for embroidery (this flat space is also likely flatlined or interfaced). Embroidery on velvet? That's why I'm not couture-quality, yet. (Yet!)

The "overbodice" looks as if it is not attached to the bodice, overskirt, and underskirt, except possibly at the waist. To cover up the fact that the overskirt and this piece aren't one piece of continuous fabric, "wings" would be stitched onto the overbodice- there's piping emerging from the shadows of Padme's arm, and that's likely the "wing" bottom. The jacket sleeves would have been tie-on, in period, and they might be here (and the purpose of the shawl may be to cover that up). Sleeves would tie on using lacing threaded through eyelets, or, if you're in a hurry, grommets.

Undersleeves- Opera gloves with the hands cut off? I have NO idea!

Shawl- The seamstress took two pieces of fabric and sewed one end of each onto the jacket/overbodice behind the collar, then frayed the other ends (like a scarf). Then, she tied them together at the small of Padme's back, possibly stitching the tied-together part to the dress. The rest, she let hang free. From over here the fabric itself looks like batik, but I'm probably wrong!

Christine

 

Mara_Jade - did you finish your gown? This thread has been very quiet - but I was just looking for costume hints to post on my page for this costume since I have nothing and I was curious! I hope you did! I'd love to see pictures of it!

FragilityFemme and Ferd - I liked some of your insights on the costume and I'd like to post them..

Maggie

 

Uppity up...

 

Okay I'll post it here in response to LadyNaberrie's post:

The deleted Senate Gown is on my list of future projects - $$ pending.

I bought this Vogue pattern for use (with modifications) for the velvet overcoat part:

[image=http://sistersola.com/Extras/boards/Vogue2714-coatdress.jpg]

That's Vogue 2714

The front closure section would have to be cut away, and the collar modified a bit, but the overall shape and length of the coat is really good, and the sleeves are at a pretty good start too.

The McCall's 4028 pattern could be useful for the underdress, the mustard taffeta section.

 

Thank you SisterSola! My mom and I are tackling this dress this summer in anticipation for Celebration III!! This is my first major costuming project. I have a picture of my Mara Jade costume in my profile...but thanks

 

That's great, LadyNaberrie! I've yet to see anyone in this costume.

 

as soon as I get it finished I will post pictures!

 

Anyone find any good fabrics for this dress???

 

I haven't started looking for fabrics on this one yet.

 

Cool factoid Obi-Anne, thanks! But ugh - having to wear velvet gloves to make the thing over months and months and it gets cut from the movie!!!! Those poor costumers must hate it when that happens!

 

Ooooooh! Obi Anne, I hope you can find some pictures of the dress that was at JediCon! I'd LOVE to see it.

Also, I think it's cute that JL knew that much about the dress... heeheehee.

 

On the lower sleeves, how about a lycra product?

 

Obi-Ann, that's so interesting! Mind if I add that factoid to my page on the costume? And wow - the fan who made it did a really nice job!! The hair looks great too!

Maggie

 

Edit: Ok, I JUST realized, a full day later, that this post landed in the wrong thread.


I have a wishful-thinking type theory that MoM will continue to circle the globe over and over for years to come. It's always a successful installation wherever it goes, so surely there's a long list of museums willing to host it.

It would be wonderful for them to tour back through the states (and maybe come a little closer to where I live this time so I don't have to drive 12 hours to see it...) with some Amidala gowns, as there were none when I saw it in Houston 3 years ago.

 

That fan's costume is great - she did an awesome job!

 

Done - thanks!

 

I concur, surly. I saw it in two separate cities and neither time were any Amidala gowns on display. Yerg.

The fan who made this costume did a fantastic job with her fabric choices! Looks great.

 

Unlocked by request and bumping.

 

Anyone knows who the person who did the Dark Senate Dress here in this photo from CIII?

http://www.fansview.com/2005/starwars/0422a0099.jpg

 

Did anyone see The Daily Show tonight? They added a shot of Padme in this dress to the Iranian Senate. I giggled like a madwoman.

 

Well after taking a good half a year break from sewing, I've decided to reenter the world of costumes with a bang I chose to do this one, mainly because I've not seen too many people with one, and it's Elizabethanish and I did a ton of Elizabethan gowns so I know that area pretty well.

Currently I'm working on the pattern for the base gown And I've got the beading pattern ready too, just need to wait for it to arrive in the mail!

I'll keep you all updated.