For over a decade I have wanted to join the Rebel Legion - a Star Wars costuming group that volunteers and does charitable work. To join, you'd make a high quality costume that meets the Legion's basic standards for that character. Standards are determined based on research into screen-worn costumes, still images, and official artwork, and focused on creating high quality replica costumes.
I always wanted to start with a Princess Leia costume, like her white senatorial gown from Episode IV. I did so much research, occasionally hunted down and bookmarked fabrics and materials, but never committed to starting. A lot of that hesitation was based on personal hang ups with my weight and body - basically, I was successfully losing weight and didn't want to make a costume only to have to remake it when I hit my goal. Then the pandemic started and social/public events were solidly off the table for a few years.
Fast forward to a few weeks ago when I attended an event where the local 501st Garrison was in attendance. The 501st Legion, the "Bad Guys Doing Good," is an Imperial costuming group also focused on high quality costumes, charity, and community events. Locally, the 501st Garrison Excelsior and Rebel Legion Echo Base often attend the same events, sometimes joining their numbers to account for how spread out members are geographically through this part of our state. In the past I'd picked up business cards and talked to members of both groups about joining up when we crossed paths at local events, but this time I decided I really meant it - so I found the 501st display to learn more about local members, craft nights, and the social element of the group.
As 100% Rebel Scum, I never thought I'd be making a costume to join the Empire. But due to material availability I'm starting with an Imperial Bridge Crew costume - it's a relatively simple build, compared to costumes with armor, and has components that can be used across multiple costumes.
The IBC costume for basic approval consists of a black flight suit, jackboots, a belt, and a black Imperial hat. Other components can be included depending on which original trilogy film you want to represent - ESB bridge crew have headsets, ROTJ bridge crew have compads. The 501st costume standards for these characters can be found here.
To build my costume I have decided to modify an existing set of black coveralls rather than sew a whole set from scratch - I priced it out and fabric plus notions would cost more than two sets of coveralls, plus work time. Why two sets? Because fabric matching! To modify the collar, make the extra pockets and data stick sleeves, and the other necessary details on the flight suit I'll need fabric that matches in color and weight, and it's easier to buy two sets of coveralls than try to hunt down matching fabric from an online vendor (RIP JoAnn, though you wouldn't have had what I needed anyway... you rarely did.) Red Kap is a commonly recommended brand, though other brands work just as well.
This method of modifying an existing set of coveralls using fabric harvested from a second is a common way of making these flight suits - you'll also see it recommended for Rebel Legion costumes, like the orange X Wing Pilot jumpsuit. Years ago I decided that someday I'd make an X Wing Pilot costume for myself and was already planning to go this route, and once orange coveralls go on sale* I'll be picking those up too!
Right now I am reading lots of forum posts, familiarizing myself with the costume standards, and asking for some patterning help from existing RL/501st members to make sure I include every pocket and seam correctly. Everyone answering my questions has been friendly and helpful. And it's nice to have a project, especially since it feels too early to start on Celebration cosplay (more on that later).
I'll be updating here on my build once I start - so far I have the coveralls and boots, with the shoulder patches on order.
* Red Kap coveralls jumped in price 30% overnight, between me adding them to my Amazon cart then deciding to pull the trigger and buy them the next morning. They haven't dropped in price yet, which is a big reason I decided to focus on the Imperial Bridge Crew costume as a start.
