Around the MWG

Spotlight is on our NEW GARRISON CHARITY LIASON, Phyllis Schulte, aka TI/TK-1951! Phyllis is known for her skill with a needle and thread as can be seen by her incredible Rebel costumes. She's a multiple recipient of TotM and with good reason. You'd be hard-pressed to find a MWG member that is as caring and dedicated as Phyllis.





I know you have a TK as far as imperial costumes are concerned, but I am fairly certain you prefer your rebel costumes. I can think of a bunch that you have (the Hoth trooper is my favorite), but can you do me a favor and list all of those incredible rebel costumes you have, and just briefly tell us the biggest challenge you had with each one?

Jedi - 5 different tunic sets
Rebel Fleet Trooper
Yavin Tech gray version
Yavin Tech tan version
Hoth Trench Trooper
Hoth Hangar Trooper
Hoth Tech
Endor Rebel Commando
X-Wing Pilot
Smuggler

For the Imperial side of things I just have TK and ID.


The Hoth Trench Trooper was far and above the most difficult costume I have done. There were no tutorials, little reference material, dozens of pieces and you had to make EVERYTHING from scratch.

Out of those, which is YOUR favorite and why?

Jedi remains my favorite because Jedi simply do kick serious butt and in a way, they are like me and in tune to nature and all living things around them.


What got you into costuming with the Rebel Legion and the 501st, and how long have you been a member of both?

Again, it has all to do with Jedi. I have been a SW fan since the beginning (I was 26 years old when "A New Hope" came out..and I was in awe) but it was not until Episode One when Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi Wan Kenobi stepped on to the screen and showed us what Jedi in their prime could actually do that I found that I just HAD to have a Jedi costume. I had never sewn before or had a sewing machine so I sewed my first Jedi costume by hand with no idea of what I was doing. When attempting to make my costume better I found my first costume group which was "The Jedi Assembly". I joined them in 2002 when they started. I found out about the 501st and the Rebel Legion at Celebration II in Indianapolis. I was blown away by all of costumes. Like a doofus, I entered the Costume Contest at C2 with my really crummy (at the time) Jedi costume and I happened to meet a certain Imperial Officer and her daughter Quincy. That Imperial Officer was, of course, Kathy Van B. Her Officer looked so spiffy that I said...man...I have GOT to have me one of those. I joined the 501st with my Officer in 2004. I have been a member of the Rebel Legion since Aug. 2002.

What has been your most memorable event and why?
Most memorable - "Max's Wish". It is still hard to believe that Max is gone and also was a testament on what we can accomplish as a group.
Close second is the Camp Quality event.
Each and every event, however, is always memorable for me and I feel really lucky to have been able to do so many.

Tell us something about yourself that most people may not know? (hobbies, etc...)

Most everyone knows already that I am a volunteer restoration tech for the FPDWC and have been actively restoring about 300 acres for nearly 20 years. To that end I am a licensed Wildfire Fighter, Chainsaw certified, Pesticide Operator and Applicator, and butterfly monitor.

As an avid home gardener I preserve a lot of fruit and vegetables from my garden..I even ferment and put up my own sauerkraut.

I am also a gear head and though I can't afford it anymore, I used to race and show my 1964 GTO regularly in the 1970's. I still have the GTO - but sadly-it is not running right now.

Any plans for any new costumes in the near future, Rebel or otherwise?

5 Costumes ago I said I was not making anymore costumes....lol...so who knows..
I have had my eye on the Naboo Pilot. But really next is the Hoth Snowspeeder Pilot which is a couple items that are added to my X-Wing Pilot to make it a Snowspeeder Pilot.

What is your favorite part about being a part of the 501st/Rebel Legion?

I think that it is the fact that we can make a charitable impact doing something we actually love doing. Again, events like Max's, Isaac's, Camp Quality and the T-Ratts game spring to mind. It is also the reaction of "Star Wars Fans". SW fans are so incredible and always soooooo happy to see us.

Anything else that you wanted to add about yourself?

No...not really. I am already a "blabbermouth" on the boards.
(She's not...)