Behind the Seams with Katie: Crafting Custom Costumes for OuterRim Creative
Hello, everyone! Welcome to Katie's Korner, the blog where I take you behind the scenes of my creative process at OuterRim Creatives. My name is Katie, and I am part of a talented three-person team dedicated to designing, developing, and fabricating custom patterns for cosplay, theater, and various other arenas. Our mission is simple: tailored costumes, limitless possibilities.
At OuterRim Creatives, we pride ourselves on our ability to meet the unique needs of our clients, providing them with bespoke costumes that are custom-fitted and meticulously crafted. Today, I wanted to share a bit about my current project and give you a glimpse into my workspace and creative journey.
Current Project: Mandalorian Boba Fett Costume
I am currently contracted to create a Mandalorian Boba Fett costume for a client. This project involves designing and fabricating both the undershirt and the flak vest that Boba Fett wears beneath his armor. The client has larger dimensions than a standard size, which makes this project particularly interesting. It's a perfect opportunity to showcase our ability to tailor costumes to fit each client's specific measurements, ensuring a perfect fit that they might not find elsewhere.
This project has been a bit challenging, but in the best way possible. Having previously made a Mandalorian-inspired costume for myself, I initially thought I could use a similar pattern. However, I quickly realized I needed to start from scratch to accommodate the unique requirements of this costume. It has been a fantastic learning experience, pushing me to refine my skills and creativity.
The Creative Process
To give you a better idea of the materials and techniques I use, let me share some insights. For my own Bo-Katan costume, I used a high-quality fabric for the flak vest, which featured leatherwork and snap closures for attaching armor pieces. The pattern was based on detailed references from the 501st Legion's costume gallery, a fantastic resource for Star Wars costumes. Their breakdown of both armor and soft fabric elements ensures that our costumes meet professional standards and client expectations.
For this Boba Fett project, I am using a similar fabric for the flak vest but utilizing the opposite side of the material to match the client's color requirements. The client has been incredibly responsive, providing detailed measurements and feedback, which has been invaluable in ensuring the final product meets his expectations.
One unique request from the client was to use raw silk for the base shirt, diverging from the typical poly blend of silks and wools seen in the movies. This unexpected choice has added an interesting twist to the project, allowing me to experiment with different textures and patterns to achieve the desired look.
Progress and Challenges
So far, I have finished attaching the sleeves to the undershirt, ensuring a smooth lining with no visible seams. The fabric's thickness required some hand-sewing for a clean finish, but the results are worth the extra effort. Next, I will attach the sides and add a zipper down the back, making sure it aligns perfectly with the client's measurements.
The final steps will involve attaching Velcro to the front and back pieces, reinforcing the hold while maintaining a seamless appearance. It's these small details that ensure our costumes are not only visually stunning but also durable and comfortable for our clients.
Upcoming Projects
I hope this gives you a better understanding of what goes into creating a custom costume at OuterRim Creatives. Stay tuned for more updates, as my next project will be a Jedi outfit for an eight-year-old boy—another exciting challenge that I can't wait to tackle.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. If you have any custom costume needs, don't hesitate to reach out. At OuterRim Creatives, we're all about turning your vision into reality, one stitch at a time.
Talk to you soon!
Katie
