Even with my shock trooper build, I have been thinking of other improvements I want to make to my FEM7 armor. I don't have a timeline to work on these yet, especially because I am in the midst of my shock trooper build, but I think this is the best place to post these ideas (especially because others can chime in with ideas well)!
In my post about my experience about PopCon, I came up with these improvements I still need to address:
Armor Bite: The bottom edge of my thigh armor kept rubbing on the outer sides of my knees, and hours and hours of this occurring certainly made me feel it by the end of the con. I need to trim the bottom edges to alleviate this problem. Also, now that I know much more about return edges, I may just completely trim away the return edges on this section of the armor, especially given that the bottoms of the thighs are much less visible than other areas where return edges maintain the look of the armor.
Shoulder Strap: The shoulder strap armor did not want to stay put at all, as can be seen in the photos I posted from my photoshoot. I think I should glue the front of the shoulder strap armor to the appropriate place of chest armor, as is the case with the approvable armors. I also need to remake the elastic straps in this area, as the snaps used to connect the arm armor strapping have pulled almost fully through the elastic due to the tension from moving my arms armor.
I have also thought of other issues to address, as well as new additions to the costume:
Helmet: I didn't think a helmet would be that essential, especially because most photos I have seen of folks wearing FEM7 armor show them without helmets, I did get feedback at the con (from people who really like my armor) that a helmet would really add to the "amazingness" of the costume. On top of the amazingness factor, the practical benefit is I could wear the helmet if I do not want to worry so much about makeup (or if I am attending a smaller con where I don't have a hotel room to use to apply my makeup).
Fortunately, Imperial Surplus sells a helmet that was designed to go with the kit...but I really like the Legacy Fem helmet more (even though the FEM7 kit is clearly inspired by First Order armor). I wonder if I could make the Legacy Fem helmet work with the FEM7 armor and not look out of place...
Interior Cover Strips: Now that I know more about the stress put on the glued seams/joints of lower leg armor, due to needing the armor to open up and allow me to put my lower leg through, I will be adding interior cover strips to the appropriate joints. I haven't had issues with the joint now, but continual wear over time will take its toll.
Paint: I had much more paint transfer than I ever thought I would...or wanted... The black paint from the belt made super visible marks on the white armor, so I want to find some way to prevent the black paint from transferring to the white armor (maybe some heavy duty clear coat?). Also, I am going to repaint the armor to cover over the paint transfer. I think I will go for a glossier finish for the armor as well.
Alright, I should end this as this post is much longer than I thought it would be. Even though I have completed the build, I really want to keep making improvements to this armor! I don't really have a timeline for these improvements as the shock trooper build is taking priority right now, but I am excited about doing more with my FEM7 armor!