Pyrates

Now I know the stitching here looks um... not good lol - but once it gets attached it will be barely noticeable and is meant as reinforcement. It's my first build so its more about the learning and perfecting the process.

Using 1/4" heat bond tape I made quick work of securing the fabric for stitching.

So with the bib portioned stiched and hemmed I worked on this till 1am last night to "git'r'done. First I made another paper template with a hole and the split for the remainder of the zipper length from the seal and tested on my head. The paper tore just a little when I put it on so I knew I was in business as the fabric will work around my ears much easier. I then pinned the template and cut out the neck portion again allowing making allowances for stitching and hemming.

Here's the link to that thread I was referring to earlier: So who here wears their armor like, every halloween? http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/index.php?/topic/33603-So-who-here-wears-their-armor-like%2C-every-halloween%3F

Hi there! Most of the articles I've read here on drinking "regular fluids" usually requires the de-bucket or the use of a Camel Pack. However when it comes to alcohol your in a whole different situation and honestly can't/ wouldn't recommend doing it. I am, by no means trying to be a party pooper but honestly wouldn't recommend drinking too much whilst in uniform as your safety is involved. Here are my reasons why: 1) Ever drank alcohol in a hot tub? - the heat from the armor makes you sweat dehydrating you, the alcohol even more so creating heat fatigue and one heck of headache. 2. Don't break the seal - going to the bathroom frequently could become frustrating and requires more coordination the more you drink. 3. Rough housing - people who have had a few drinks start to think your armor is real. Vern TK 2392 Bondservnt wrote a thread on here about a trooper getting clocked at a bar while wearing his helmet with a not so pretty outcome. Again, I just want everyone to be safe and enjoy themselves responsibly, so if I may, I would like to recommend a few suggestions: 1. Keep the bucket off and only put it on for pictures. This serves a few purposes - help reduce over heating and that there is human being in the armor. 2. Prior to party eat lots to help keep you fueled and absorb some of the fun you will be drinking. 3. Hydrate - for every alcoholic drink you have drink one 500ml bottle of water. 4. When people start to stagger/slur - go take your armor off and get into something more comfortable and enjoy yourself sweat free and happy knowing you don't have to take your armor off "gooned" and that your armor is safe from vomit, breakage, and other accidents. Cheers mate, have a stellar time, and if you follow the guidelines you should be able to manage a happy buzz with minimal chance for incidents. Happy holidays and be safe fellow trooper!

Great work and attention to details!

Mint edition! Excellent work

I do too good sir - and concur it is part of the trooper image but no doubt obviously frustrating to not have that image for the new movie or for troops. A different perspective for you, if I may, is to look at this as a show of compassion during the Holiday Season. This way you have two hands available for high fives, fist pumps, hugs, and the occasional ladies that like to hug a trooper from both sides. Stay positive mate - it's only temporary. With calm minds we will be holding those beauty's again soon enough and with all the new movies coming up troops and demand will increase with more opportunities to carry.

Next will be to cut out the neck seal area so that they can be sewn together - Happy weekend mates!

With the upper portion of the seal prepped it was time to move to the bib portion. I quickly PM'd Skullflare to check whether the bib portion was to be circular or more like a man bib to help cover the suspenders that will help hold up my black thigh support belt. Man bib it was, so I quickly measured the space between my shoulders approximately where the suspenders would be (11-3/4") and then spaced and pinned material. Next I ironed out edges and stitched them together. Once that was complete I used heat hemming tape to secure the loose material beyond my stitching (which prevents the material from fraying)

I only hand stitched the zipper in the channels of the ribs so it won't have a line of stitching down the sides of the zipper

Time to prep a dressy zipper by hand stitching the zipper to one side of the neck seal

Now, I think that would pass for general 501st entry but I'm going Centurion so I wanted to take it a step further and double the ribs with a second round of stitched lines. Presto Troopo!

With practice done it was time to affix the foam to the material and get to work.

I pulled out my old sewing machine, iron, measuring tape (tailors tape) and some jacket lining material and prepped the material and equipment. I measured around the base of my neck (18") and created a paper template then tried it on my neck. It fit snugly with just enough space for ventilation so I fixed the template with pins and cut out the material leaving extra material to allow for seam stitching later. I highly recommend getting familiar with your sewing machine prior and practice stitching straight lines on a scrap piece of material that you are using (rule of thumb - go slow and steady this allows more control feeding the material)

While exploring a liquidation store 3 weeks ago I came across some baby safety guard foam and thought it would work great for my neck seal as well as allow more comfortable movement and not feel like I was wearing a neck brace.

Very cool, I'm going to enjoy watching this happen!

Many, many thanks Steve!

Right then, time for that list - here we go: AP Helmet - Received AP Armor - Received AP Gloves & Rubber Hand Guards - Received AP TD clips - Received AP E-11 Holster - Received Helmet Kit (Includes welders lens, fasteners, Frown Mesh, S-trim, and brow trim) - Trooperbay (And a few little bonus treats) - Received TK Boots - Received E-11 Blaster - QuestDesignCanada - Mrs.Clause - Received 2pc. Compression Suit - Received - Amazon ( and a back ups from Everlast at Walmart ) Neck Seal - Received - Trooperbay Canvas Belt - Received - Trooperbay TD Tube - 2" Grey Conduit Pipe - Acquired Black Suspenders - located at Lowes Black Waist Belt to support Thigh Armor - located at Lowes Bubble Lenses - Received - http://www.ebay.ca/ulk/itm/121829272395 Hero Ears - ATA - Received - oober thanks Supertrooper Heavy-Duty Snaps - Fabricland - Acquired Industrial Velcro Black & White - located at Home Depot, Michaels, Walmart - Acquired Gasket Glue for anchoring Rubber Hand Guards - located at Princess Auto - Acquired Sealing Iron for pushing in teeth to make Hero frown - located at Action Hobby - Acquired E-6000 - available at Home Depot/ Walmart, Michaels - Acquired ECHO's Fan System - To be ordered Aker & iComm - To be ordered External Audio System - Ukswrath's Audio Thread - To be ordered Black Plastic Dip - Home Depot (Paints)- Acquired 1" black strapping - Fabricland - Acquired 1/4" Elastic - Fabricland - Acquired Black Elastic - Fabricland - Acquired White Elastic - Fabricland - Acquired Grey, White, Black Testors Paint - Michaels - Acquired French Blue #14 Humbrol Paint - Modeland - Acquired Novus Plastic Polish - Harley Davidson - To be acquired - cheers to Dan for this recommendation