Padme Amidala Padme's Gold flower outfit

I didn't look. LOL I was too excited. It's about a shade lighter than the picture but if you put it over a yellow color you get the exact color. So I'm planning to buy that and put it over a underskirt of yellow satin.

 

Hey star
Are you talking about the dress fabric or the corset fabric? If it's the dress fabric, does it come with the flower design already on it? You all know that if I ever find the perfect fabric I'll be re-making this whole dress!

 

It looks like it could be both Dress AND corset fabric, depending on how I fold it. Doubled it looks like it's the corset fabric. Leaving it as it is it looks like the dress material. See I'm renovating my prom dress so against my regular boned yellow corset it looked like the same material. My prom dress is made out of a creamy yellow satin looking material. So whoever said something about a stiffer material UNDER the outer fabric was probably right.
Does that make any sense?
I also did the most extensive research on the material including pulling out the Vanity Fair for everyone I saw within the last couple of days and holding the fabric against the picture, holding the piece up into the sun, and actually embroidering about 3 flowers onto the fabric swatch.
And no. ... the material does not have the flower design already on it. I'm planning to embroider that by hand. I figured I have 3 years to do it, so why not make it myself.
Imagine this project, straight from Leia's ANH gown to this intricate thing. lol

 

Have just posted some pics of my version of this dress--take a look if you have the time

Ferdalump Frumps

 

Skaila and Ferdalump, great pics! Very pretty dresses too!

ACK! I just love this dress! I think everyone should make one!

 

Everyone's dresses turned out great so far.
And if everyone made this dress I wouldn't feel as special for having it. I really think it's one of those dresses most costumers will start but never finish. Definitely it's a dress that tests your endurance lol.

I actually bought my material today. In JoAnn's the number is 40362. It is made by Swavelle/Mill Creek and it is called ETC Crash 102 Cedar.

 

OK, I would not be posting this if it were not completely accurate (I am a total stickler for accuracy)!

I was at Meijer's today (very large department store in the midwest) and I saw the PERFECT cape fabric!!!!! It was unbelievable! They sell a table cloth that is called "Antique Rose" or something along those lines. It was an off-white/gold color and it had vines embroidered on it, as well as roses. Here's the kicker: The roses are the exact color and embroidery of the ones on Padme's cape!!! The smallest table cloth available is a round one, that cost about $14.50 (I think).

If you don't know how to embroider, this is the perfect option for you. It would be so easy to modify, and looks exactly like her cape. I am planning on using it for my cape. I just wanted to let you all know about this... Happy sewing!

 

Thanks for the info---I am making one of these dresses (again ) for a small child to wear for Halloween and the less work the better (she's only gonna wear it one night) Question is Where is Meijer's ???
I am a native Floridian and have never heard of them--do they have a website or something?

Thanks sooooo much for the tip!

 

Meijer.com

They are only in like 5 states of the midwest (I live in Ohio). I don't believe you can order online, but I can always buy one and mail it to anyone who is interested. Just let me know. I looked on the website and there are no pictures available, but I would stake my reputation that this is the closest thing you will find to an exact replica.

Plus, if you didn't like it, it's a beautiful table cloth anyways -- almost breaks my heart to cut it! lol

 

A tablecloth? That would rule if it works! How easy! I'll have to check out my local Meijer and see what you're talking about.

 

Mrs_M! It is freakin' ridiculous how close this tablecloth is to the cape! I stopped by Meijer when I was out yesterday and I started laughing outloud in the aisle when I saw it! Even the edging is perfect! I'm not sure how much of it could be used after cutting out the cape shape, but it's totally right on! Who would have thought it? A tablecloth!
The only thing about it is the lightness of color of the fabric. It's 100% poly, so I'm not sure about dying it? The roses are EXACT though! They would even be usable on the corset and headband if you could carefully cut some out.
Major SCORE Mrs_M! Thanks for finding it!

Didn't someone also make this dress in blue? Because there was a version of the same table cloth with blue roses on it. It was gorgeous!

YAY!

 

Who makes the tablecloth?

 

Wow! I've got to echo what Mrs. M and Bawn said. The tablecloth is perfect less the color! I've been putting the cape off, kind of holding out for a better solution than what I originally planned. Now, I'm sold on the tablecloth idea.

Earlier in this thread, Pelegant(?) mentioned using a similar fabric from Hobby Lobby that also needed to be dyed. Her idea was to sort of paint it. I think that's what I'm going to try. I'll play around with it over the summer.

I think I'm also going to sew on my own ribbon roses since the cape has more than the table cloth. Then it will also match my corset and headband.

Thanks for the head's up on this, Mrs. M.

Hope you're all enjoying many viewings of the movie and contemplating your next costume project!

Regards,
M.

 

I am so glad other people agree with me on that tablecloth! I was kind of nervous about posting anything, just because I am such a stickler for accuracy!

I am going to use it for my cape. I am broke right now, thanks to many viewings of AOTC, so I have to hold off a week or so... Anyone pull it out and see the size yet? How big is it? And how much extra fabric is left over after cutting out the cape?

Also, I noticed something in the picnic scene during Thursday night's viewing: Earlier in the thread (page 3 or 4) we discussed how the cape is attached, and I mentioned the idea of it being attached ot the bodice, but not the sleeves. In the scene I noticed a definate gape in between the top of the sleeve and the cape, so I think that idea is probably the best way to attach it after all.

 

Hello! I'm sorry to gate crash your thread it's just I have I have also fallen in love with the very same dress as you all have. I'm sorry to say that I'm not an amazing seamstress as so very many of you here are (well by the look of your costumes I would say so).
Anyway I was just wondering if anyone could give me any tips because I've been thinking about putting together my own, simplified version of the dress so I could just get the over all look of it. There a quiet a few dusty goldy-yellow dresses around in the shops at the moment and I was thinking of adding to one that I like with roses and ribbons. Then I though making some sort of over sized wrap which I could stitch some satin roses and ribbon on to and then I could finally tie some ribbons around my wrists to try and replicate the look. I wouldn't be anywhere near accurate but I think I still might be able to get that pre-Raphaelite look.
Does anyone have any advice?

 

Antigone_Maroon for your wrap/cape, I would definatly recommend getting the table cloth I talked about earlier. It already has the roses and stuff on it -- you would just have to add a few more. You can make it look more authentic without having to use a sewing machine to make your own from scratch. The only thing you would have to do is the edging, after you cut it out. That can be done realatively easily by hand with a needle and thread.

Whatever you end up doing, good luck!

 

Wow thank you so much for you help Mrs_MayimNaar! I'll have to order one of these table clothes. It sounds a lot easier than my way. I think I know the sort that you mean I'm sure I've seen a similar sort thing some where else, I just can't think where.

Also I'm planing to make a wall hanging loosely based on the dress for my best friend's birthday, next Sunday. I plan to use batik to create some sort of enlarged rose and vine design using paint-on fabric dyes and gold marker pen instead of wax on a rectangle of thick plain cotton. Hopefully it won't go too wrong.

Hmm I really can't get enough of this dress, I'm sure it's not healthy.

 

Well, the good news is that Meijer sells the tablecloth for $14.99. The bad news is that Meijer is only located in the midwest. If you need me to pick one up for you and ship it, I would be happy to. PM me to let me know.

As far as a working Pattern to use for transforming the tablecloth, Obi-Dawn has a great pattern that I was planning on making for myself. You wouldn't have to do too much to alter it. PM her and she may be able to help you out.

 

Thanks so much again Mrs_MayimNaar! PMing you now.

 

Antigone_Maroon, I'm a new sewer myself. The way I'm planning on making my gown is by converting my old prom dress. About 3 years ago corset gowns in pastel colors were in style. I lucked out and bought a yellow corset gown by Jessica McClintock (the designer whose pattern is recommended by Mrs_MayimNaar in her tutorial). Scan your local thrift shops for one of her dresses and convert a dress also. Trust me, the style of the dress reminds me of Obi-Dawn's beautiful dress. And all you would have to do is learn to embroider. Fabric stores have great tutorials on how to sew and embroider. Or you can teach yourself like I am and kinda learn as you go buy practicing. You do have 3 years to learn if you want to compete in the costume competition .

 

Thanks StarFromIHJ! As I was flicking through this thread I actually did see the pic of your prom dress and just by looking at it I can definitely see what you mean I'll have a look around for some Jessica McClintock dresses. Luckily there are quite a lot of cosset dresses and tops around in the shops over here at the moment. Hmm I think that a shopping trip is in order.

Well I think three years would be enough but I don't intend to enter the competition. I would love to but I should predict by this time in three years I should be stuck over here in Uni. But you never know.
Actually I would really like to get it done for in about a year from now (or before) so I could wear it to my May Ball.
I did want to go in some sort of Leia ensemble but me and my mum agreed all that white might just be a bad idea with all that food and drink about.

 

Mrs_MayimNaar! That's what sounded so familiar about the table cloth I was just in my bedroom and I caught sight of my velvet scarf from Convent Gardens London. The backing fabric is actually a very similar pattern to that of Padme's cape apart from the colours are all wrong and there isn't any where near enough fabric. So yes I just thought you might be interested.

 

Polyester *does* dye, but it shades a heck of a lot lighter than say silk or cotton.

I managed to dye some duchess satin a beautiful mauve and some lace a maroon in the same dyebath.

I used dylon dyes (I understand Rit works in much the same way).

It is a tad unpredictable, but the good thing is as poly doesn't soak up the dye so quickly, you can over dye until it gets to the right shade.

You probably would be better painting it on, with the roses and all.

Just to show you how well dylon works:
http://recital.tripod.com/costume/poison.htm

The Poison Ivy costume I made was white wet look lycra.. and I was told it would never dye. The photo was a little over exposed, and the scan is rather low res, but you can see how dark the legs of the suit are (not the vinyl leggings ). I was also able to shade the sleeves and body from dark green to lime like the movie costume did.

 

Hello,

I'll be making this dress in the near future (I have another project that I want to finish first) and have really been enjoying the posts here

I have a question for those of you who have already made the dress. How full did you make the skirt? Or, what's the approximate circumference? I'm planning on ordering everything online so I want to get my fabric amounts right the first time (also since I'm dyeing it!). I've already ordered fabric for the corset and cape (2 fabrics for the corset, actually, after finding one that i really liked I found one with embroidery similar to the original fabric. Oops I'm not striving for perfect accuracy, which explains the first purchase of fabric that I just found to be pretty).

Thanks,
Katherine

 

Katheriine- For my version of the skirt I used about 5 yards of fabric (54"w) It was already crinkled fabric and it ended up pretty full--the only thing I would do differntly would be making the skirt a few layers thick, which is a little more accurate, you just have to eliminate some of the fullness at the waistline. Trisha Biggar said this dress is made of 50yds of hand embroidered silk-I think 40 went into the layers of that skirt!!!

Good Luck!!!!