Padme Amidala Padme Dark Senate Dress

You're right about that pattern, kay-dee! It's got just the right shape for the underpinning AND the velvet skirt! Thanks!

Regards,
M.

 

Hi sorry I'm new so I don't know if this has been said before but I think that the symbol on the Senate Dress looks a lot like the black symbol printed on to Breha Organa's scarf at the end of ROTS, it's just been flipped.

[image=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v722/carlottasatoad/breha.jpg]

Just me?

 

whoa, that does look very similar...

 

Just curious but have someone actually MADE this costume? I think it's very beautiful one and would love to see it made by someone.

Marmida

 

Not just you.
I noticed that too and made a point of really looking at both symbols when I saw the costumes at FIDM. I wonder if it was a random thing or done on purpose to provide a visual tie in between Leia's two moms. Although, considering the Padmé costume is one that was cut from the film it may have just been coincidental. Either way, I think it's neat.

Marmida, I have seen a picture of someone who made this costume. I think she wore it to a con in Germany, maybe...? There might be a picture of her at ThePadawan'sGuide.com in the section for this dress.

 

Thanks Obi-Dawn! That was a nice pic of a nice costume!

*sigh* I would like to do the gown someday in real size... Now I'm working with doll-version. I have the bobice and skirt done minus the embroidery. Today I'm gonna do the embroidery and start the patterns for the coat. The collar looks scary to do...

About the symbol: Maybe the costumerstaff liked the symbol and just put it on Breha's gown. Once I get fond to some figure I usually use it again and again until I get bored with it. Don't know about filmmaking then...

Marmida

 

Unlocked and bumped!

 

Woohoo! Thanks

I started this gown the day after Dragon*Con, it's main appeal besides being friggin gorgeous is that it's rarely been done before. I'm probably about 45% done at this point.

I designed my own undergarments for funsies, probably fancier than need-be, but it was fun. Here's the chemise I designed.

[image=http://www.rebelshaven.com/images/costumes/cutsenate/csschemise005.jpg] [image=http://www.rebelshaven.com/images/costumes/cutsenate/csschemise006.jpg]

I made it with Elizabethan influence like the dress, and I put in the pleating to control it under the corset. I know in the real gown they might have built the structure into the bodice, but I opted to do a separate corset because I don't trust just a zipper closure under that kind of strain (plus the added benefit of re-using the corset for historical purposes)

[image=http://www.rebelshaven.com/images/costumes/cutsenate/corset002.jpg]

Next is the hoopskirt for structure. There are 4 rings of hoopsteel on the bottom 1/3 of the skirt and a bustle cage in the top third. I felt that there needed to be a light bustle with the shape of the back as opposed to a perfectly conical skirt as was traditional Elizabethan. I quilted the front panel so it would be as smooth as possible, and put ruffles on the back for loft, to hide the hoops, and will hopefully be cooler temp-wise.

[image=http://www.rebelshaven.com/images/costumes/cutsenate/padmeundergarb.jpg] [image=http://www.rebelshaven.com/images/costumes/cutsenate/hoopskirt005.jpg]

And I'm pretty close to done with the under-dress (sans beading). I wanted the front as smooth as possible, so I wonderundered it to duck-cloth. Based on some of the reference pics on Padawan's Guide, I can tell the chevron beading is on top of something, so I put yellow soutache on the chevrons and beaded over it, and put a loop of 3 beads every 1/2 inch. I got these hexagonal beads from FireMountainGems called gunmetal purple, and the 'watered silk' fabric I got in the JoAnn's home dec section.

With the front, I put tabs on the bodice from just below bust point down, sort of an insert at the seam so I can stitch in the eyelets and have them have a place to hook into. I have some more hand-work on this, I have to attach it to the skirt and put in a closure. So I'm doing that and dye-testing for my silk velvet *whew!*

[image=http://www.rebelshaven.com/images/costumes/cutsenate/undergown01.jpg]

 

That looks great so far!!!

And I'm gonna have to pick your brain on that hoopskirt if I do tackle the Red Gown, since that's gonna have to be a hand-built one...

 

I read through this entire thread on the RL forums the other day, and I had to pick my jaw back up off the floor. The detail work here is amazing! And inspiring, too... I've got my eye on making the other purple Senate gown, and will even have the silk for the gown soon (hooray for having friends to fabric shop for you in India). I'm probably not going to be quite as fancy with my underpinnings, but you've definitely inspired me to pay attention to the details. Absolutely gorgeous!

 

Thanks, Commander! Being fussy about details is awful fun, and you get a better product in the end.

Sure, Miana! I will say the hoop skirt was definetly an interesting part of the process and took quite a bit of patience.

Here's where I'm at right now. I just need to find a suitable zipper for the underdress, but I've started draping the overdress.

[image=http://www.rebelshaven.com/images/costumes/cutsenate/dress001.jpg]

[image=http://www.rebelshaven.com/images/costumes/cutsenate/dress002.jpg]

[image=http://www.rebelshaven.com/images/costumes/cutsenate/dress003.jpg]

 

Awesome as always, Ver.

 

I can't wait to see the hair tests too.

 

I've started a costuming blog I update more often than I come here if anyone was interested: http://rebelshaven.blogspot.com/

I finished the forehead jewelry and am making good progress on the dress and hairpiece. I have to have it done by the end of the month *eep!*

[image=http://www.rebelshaven.com/images/costumes/cutsenate/headjewel001.jpg]

 

That's looking awesome! Can't wait to see the final product!

 

Here it is! Done...ish... I had to rush to finish it for D*Con so the beading is hastily applied and the shawl is only temporary. I have some fixes to make that I'll worry about later

[image=http://www.rebelshaven.com/images/costumes/cutsenate/padmecsswm001.jpg]

[image=http://www.rebelshaven.com/images/costumes/cutsenate/padmecsswm002.jpg]

 

It looks fantastic!!

 

Nothing that the Rebel Legion's "Costumer of The Year" couldn't fix.