Hello!

Post by **Ralimn** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:15 pm

Hey all! My name is Andrew Carver and I'm currently a 20 year old college student from Milwaukee, WI. I'm looking into creating/assembling/buying/whatever an Imperial Officer uniform. A few years ago I found out about the 501st when I wanted a Stormtrooper armor set (and fell in love with the organization!). I recently went to an Anime Convention and that rekindled my interest. I looked into it and I feel getting an Officer uniform is more realistic for a college student, haha.

I've already heavily researched the uniform (looking at gray), and hope to get an idea for some of the smaller parts like the badge and belt, etc. I'm looking at a Fleet Admiral rank

With all that said, any help in getting this project completed would be absolutely fantastic.

Cheers!

Post by **Marvinrobot** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:46 pm

Welcome to the fight! So are you any good with a sewing machine? Actually, one of, if not the premire seamstress in the Legion is in our Garrison. She is a wealth of knowledge and truly the Armani of Imperial Officer uniforms. I'll let her introduce herself. Meanwhile look around here and help us get to know you. If you have not yet been to the detachment site for imperial officers please visit

http://www.imperialofficer.com/forum/

They are the source guide on 501st imperial offier standards. Also look at the events page and see if their are any events coming near you and join us for some good ole fashion Imperial fun!

Post by **JediRacer8** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:54 pm

Welcome, and I got your email

I'll reply back tomorrow when I have a bit more time. We have a good number of troopers in the Milwaukee area. I'll forward you some info on local upcoming events and gatherings you can come to.

The link to the Imperial Officer Corps detachment that Wally posted is your best place to start. There is a wealth of knowledge there. Register on the boards there and then feel free to post away with any questions you have. That's what the detachment is there for.

Post by **Ralimn** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:58 pm

I've actually been SCOURING that forum for the past day! It's amazing to see the wealth of knowledge. Edit: And no, I'm TERRIBLE with a sewing machine. Give a computer and I can build it. Give me cloth and I can't sew. lol

I went to a local tailor today, but she no longer does custom work

And I cant wait to hear from you

Post by **Dirty Scout** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 12:53 am

Welcome and good luck. If you have a fabric store locally, some of the tailors and seamstresses that do costuming will leave their business cards at the store. You can ask there to find a tailor or seamstress.

It's nice to have a tailor to take care of some your work with uniforms.

Post by **Ralimn** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 1:10 am

Would this strictly be a locally owned fabric store, or would a place like Joann Fabrics do this?

Post by **TK0585** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 6:25 am

somebody might want to chime in on the $ vs $ on the two,materials the commission to make in IO vs a biker scout or Stormtrooper.

as for Armor Antins Biker kits are under $200 with a few upgrades and lid $500 altogether,that's off the top of my head though.

Post by **TB 0101** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 9:22 am

Scout armor complete with bucket, soft parts, boots, gun, and hard armor runs around $700 for all the proper parts, sometimes more depending on how specific you get.

IO could potentially cost several hundred as well, depending on your seamstress. There's a HUGE thread in the armory our former CO put up about creating your own IO. I bumped it for ease of finding...it had fallen back to page 3.

Right now, the absolute cheapest uniform is IC (imperial crew).

Post by **Ralimn** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 9:42 am

IC to me (no offense to anyone who has the costume) wont do it. Biker Scout would actually be interesting, and I know of a replica website where I can probably get an adult biker helmet for $70 (last time i checked). IO would be nice to have as well for formality. I suppose I cant escape the cost... thats what "Hey dad can I borrow money" is for

I suppose my next question would be: what would be a better decision? Going for a Stormtrooper or Biker Trooper, or pursing a IO uniform? Which would be, I suppose, easier to complete? Cost, as long as it stays around $500 as much as possible, would be ideal. I know I'll end up satisfying myself somehow

Post by **TB 0101** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 9:45 am

If you can get an inexpensive scout bucket that's wearable and looks good, that'll cut the cost down considerably.

Personally, I'd go with the scout

but I believe the TK may be cheaper overall-it comes in a kit w/ the bucket already, so all you'd really need is the boots and black undersuit.

IC is a good soft costume for people who don't have or want to spend a great deal of money, or who may have a hard time getting around in armor.

The TK is probably your best bet.

Post by **Ralimn** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:16 am

Wait, so I can buy the TK armor somewhere and it includes everything I need? Hmmm... I'll definitely look into that then.

Post by **TB 0101** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 12:22 pm

Yeah, there's a kit a lot of the guys use-it doesn't have the boots or undersuit, but it does have all the velcro, and small stuff included-stuff you don't know you need until it's in front of you.
Check out the TK detachment. They have just about every bit of info you could need or want.

Post by **Ralimn** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 12:24 pm

Sounds good, thank you. I'm currently hitting some validation issues for my account there, but it looks like I can view everything otherwise.

Post by **TB 0101** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 12:28 pm

I'm not a member of the detachment, so I can't help you out on their forums, but if the delay in validation goes for several days, send the webmaster an email. It's a very busy site with a ton of members...sometimes those things get lost in the shuffle.
You could always try telling them "the MWG sent me over for assistance."
ya never know.

Post by **TK 4813** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 12:32 pm

Ralimn wrote:Wait, so I can buy the TK armor somewhere and it includes everything I need? Hmmm... I'll definitely look into that then.

Pretty much everything except the boots, blaster, sometimes the holster, and the under suit. I use under armour myself. Kinda pricey, but it gets the job done.

Contact Mike Washko TK 895 here on the forum. He may still be able to point you in the right direction as far as getting a TK goes. Most TK's use the hasbro blaster with a few mods to make it look more movie accurate. You can get that on ebay or a local store if your lucky and they still have them on the shelves. Boots you can get from a few places www.caboots.com is one. That what I have, they are nice but they stink to high heaven when you first take them out of the box. There are real leather boots too but I'm forgetting where you get them at the moment.

And as far as the college student comment goes, Im in the same boat you are but I do have 2 approved costumes (TK and Scout) and working on two more on the side. (Tusken and Commander Bly) Good use of my last two student loans.

Good luck and I hope that helps.

Post by **Ralimn** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 12:43 pm

Haha, gotta love student loans!

Ok, so I'm no longer going for Officer because lets face it, Stormtrooper is excellent.

So all I need to do is check sources and find the right place to grab the kit?

Post by **TK 4813** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 12:47 pm

Yup. Either TK 895 can point you in the right direction or some one (probably the armor chief if they have one) on the TK Detachment Forums.

Post by **TK 4813** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 12:56 pm

Once you get your armor Im sure we can get a member or two to help you assemble it properly.

Post by **o331marine** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 1:47 pm

trust me when i say this one bossman. im in iraq and ive gotten plenty of help. i plan on doing both tie and tk. and its awesome. all the help and the wealth of knowledge is here. all ya have to do is ask. and also welcome aboard.

Post by **Ralimn** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 8:39 pm

I'm currently looking into the full FX set that Deckard sells. Everyone raves about it, and it seems to be fantastic quality despite being a hefty $635 (stupid oil prices...)