Jaiden Turrn

Well, it just goes to show that LFL wants to get in on the costuming craze. So, rather than follow the well-established costuming standards that got the 501st into the good graces of King George, they sub out the project to hack-whacks in China and still expect there to be a gullible market out there that will buy that dung. David.

I've been doing costuming now for a little over a year. Mind you, my first costume is a custom Mandalorian. I've "trooped" as that character several times and everyone's always responded with a WOW or something like that. And, yes, compared to the TK set, what I've made isn't that expensive, but the kudos I've heard already make me really excited about my next costume. Personally, I don't really care what people think about me. Whether I'm in costume or not, it really doesn't matter. An interesting story on that...I was having a discussion with a former coworker of mine about our hobbies. He's all into cars...buying, selling, modifying...he was even the vice president of the local car club. When he was saying not-so-positive things about my costuming, I simply reminded him that while he spends tons of money on a car he'll have for a few months, I spend tons of money on a costume I'll have for a few years or more. And, you can't take a car into a cancer ward, can you? Plus, I've had some success with making helmets, and it's something I'm still doing now. The first thing out of some people's mouths when I tell them I make helmets is "Star Wars geek stuff, right?" But when I tell them how much helmets sell for, they change their tune quickly. In the end, my philosophy is that this is all about fun - both for us and for the people we entertain. I love it and don't expect to quit for quite some time. David.

I don't post here often, and in my intro post, I said that I'm working primarily on a Dengar costume which uses pieces here and there from several sets of armor. I recently picked up a TS chest and I've been working on the greeblies for that. I've already been offered help from several people who have a piece here and a piece there for sale, and I've been in touch with several armor makers to see what I'm into for the other pieces I need. Unfortunately at the moment, I really can't afford their prices. It's nothing against them; I've been unemployed for a while and just don't have the extra cash right now. But, I was able to throw together a pretty decent vac-form table last week and the test pieces I made of different things give me hope that I can make my own pieces for Dengar (and, someday, move up to a bigger table to possibly offer pieces to other costumers. But that will be a while...). However, here's where I need help - if anyone is willing to give it. Considering that Alan Sinclare over at TDH (as Wizard of Flight) has done some amazing work for the Boba and Jango armor patterns, has anyone done patterns for the TK and TD armor? If I'm going to do this, I would really like to get it right on the first try so I don't spend time making the wrong size molds. I read that the standard trooper armor measurements are based on someone around 5'11", 150 pounds. I'm a little shorter and a lot heavier, so I know mine would have to be modified a little. So, how about it? Are there any patterns that can be shared, or measurements of the pieces that I could get access to? Thanks, guys! David. EDIT: DOH! Never mind. I completely forgot I had some already. I don't even remember where I got them. Never mind! David.