Darth Maul costume resources?

Howdy,

I recently did a search in this forum for darth maul resources, but I was surprised to come up with no info. Was wondering if anyone here could possibly lead me to a thread or website that might have some pattern information to start a Darth Maul project. Thanks for any help.

Mike C.

 

Have you tried Obi-Wan's Jedi Academy for help?

 

Anakin:

Yeah...i was there. It's good for some general info, but some of the links look busted and I was looking for more detailed stuff...IE, patterns or the like. I'll have the fudge the lightsaber somehow but that I can live with.

Mike C.

 

Oh, yeah...sorry, but that's the only place I've found regarding Maul's costume.

 

Anakin:

S'cool dude. Don't sweat it. I'll sort something out as best I can.

Mike C.

 

I made a Maul costume for a friend of mine last year. I did both research at Obi-Wan's Jedi Academy and at Kropserkel--they have done a Maul costume and have great pics on all the pieces recreated for it (you might want to try to contact them)--and The Padawan's Guide--there are some very good pics there, as well.

But in terms of patterns, you really won't find anything specific. My advice is to find basic patterns at your fabric store or online that closely match each component and that you can alter when necessary. That was what I did for each component, although at times I was forced to create a pattern or two from scratch. The cloak alone was a combination of the basic Jedi hood, with Elizabethan sleeve styles, a yoke from scratch and yards of hand-pleated fabric attached from the bust down. Needless to say, it was a challenge, even with my years of experience.

If you have little experience with sewing, find someone near you who has such experience, and can help you. Or comb your phone book for tailors/seamstresses in your area who may be able to put you on the right path or whom you can hire to make the costume.

This probably doesn't help much, but having made this costume before, it's the best I can give you.

 

Leia: Definite lack of experience is a problem for me. As I look more and more into it, I just think it's beyond my capacity at the moment. Maybe I can do something else.

Thanks.

Mike C.

 

Oh, I hate it when someone says that, , but it's certainly understandable.

I wish you the best in your search for the perfect costume experience, and if you ever have any questions, please do not hesitate to post.

 

Leia:

Sorry to disappoint. I'll keep looking into it. This was a long term project anyway. I'll see if my mother can help...she used to be a top notch seamstress...maybe we can use the 12" Darth Maul figure I have as a possible guide.

Thanks for the help.

Mike C.

 

You're very welcome. I hope you get a chance to attempt it (and the dolls are a great help for detail!).

Good luck!

 

and yards of hand-pleated fabric attached from the bust down

I doubt that the pleats start from the bust down. ? Most pictures I see of Maul, and the figures shows it as from the "Shoulder Down". If I'm not mistaken, Sithvixen told me hers (a "replica" of the actual) also started from the shoulder down.

The pleats, which were individually sewed, can be made permanent by sewing on the very end of it (the "line" going downwards). I suspect, this might be what they meant as "individually sewed"; the pleats are made as per normal than its ends (on both Right & Wrong sides) sewed to force the pleats to be permanent; instead of the seamstress sewing 192+ strips to create the 96 pleats. Weird that I discovered this on the pleats of one of my store bought Baju Kurung skirt.

 

Forget to add.

The 12" Doll is an okay guide for the Maul costume. It lack lots of stuffs like the lower sleeves of the outer shirt but the basic shape is there. (My Maul had stop wearing it anyway).

What I did when I have my Sith Garb done (which is a spin off of Maul, except that I reverse the sleeves design of the shirts, and modified the Robe pattern to be less tidious to sew later etc) is to combine all the infos I gotten from the OB1 site, Kropserkel site, SithVixen's pictures, Darth ?? site, Forums threads, the Pepsi Statue (there's one on display in the showcase of a collectors' shop here), action & posable figures, bubble bath container (the full body one from UK) and sewing books to come to the final design of my costume. It's kinda tedious but I find it very worthwhile (or I'm just being crazy! ).

Good luck!

 

I doubt that the pleats start from the bust down. Most pictures I see of Maul, and the figures shows it as from the "Shoulder Down". If I'm not mistaken, Sithvixen told me hers (a "replica" of the actual) also started from the shoulder down.


From all the research I did (books, pics, sites, figures, etc.), I was certain there was a yoke that covered the shoulders and ended just under the arm. It was the most obvious solution, as there had to be a strong base for the hood and sleeves to attach to and to carry the heavy pleating. If you mean that the pleating began at the top shoulder seam, there would be no support for the sleeve and hood, and the cloak would have no body to it--it would fall all over the place.

Yes, starting the pleating at the bust is a bit low, but this costume was made for a woman, and to start the pleating above the bust is very unflattering, spreading the pleating outward. So I started it from just under the bust point down, to allow the pleating to remain lying flat when not in motion. For a man, I would start the pleating immediately under the arm instead.

In short, after so much study, a yoke was very necessary to the shape of this garment and to hold the weight. And no sewing was needed for the pleats themselves--a hot iron and lots of time and space worked for me. When attached to the yoke, the pleats maintained their shape beautifully.

 

Oh...so many ideas, so little ability. I'll have to shanghai someone to help out.

Mike C.