Padme Amidala Costume - Purple Senate Bodice

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PURPLE BODICE

PADME'S SENATE DRESS COSTUME
Star Wars Attack of the Clones Costume

My bodice front (above)

compared to the dress worn in the movie below (photo by Diane)

Attached sleeves w/o embroidery - having issues with puckering on front center seam to work out.

*Update as of June 2, 2005 - I redrafted the sleeves using the actual acetate fabric as muslin rather than cotton muslin. Most of the puckering issues seem to be worked out (although the shiny nature of the fabric is very unforgiving). I have one more sleeve panel to embroider (4 total sleeve panels require embroidery) before I can assemble my final sleeves.

Fitting the back of the bodice smoothly was out of my range of capability. To make matters more challenging, I'm long waisted compared to my manaquin by about 2" and this causes some major headaches in trying to fit things. If this had to fit the mannaquin smoothly I think I could have worked that out - but I needed it to fit ME and there was not an extra set of hand around to help re-pin my back seams while the bodice was on me. If only the manaquins were adjustable vertically!

* Additional thoughts as of June 2, 2005 - I think some puckering problems were also due to 1) an old sewing machine that had tension problems that were magnified by this kind of fabric. 2) I didn't use a walking foot when I flatlined my acetate with cotton. 3) If I haven't mentioned it already, cheap satin acetate fabric is dreadful stuff to work with and I suggest everyone stay away from it.

Most of the problems will just be covered by the coat. I don't know if I'll ever have the energy to rip apart my bodice and redo it.

outer half of sleeve embroidery

PATTERN USED: Simplicity 8881 - heavily modified and altered. The sleeves were drafted by me.

FABRIC: Satin Acetate, cotton broad cloth (backing) and polyester lining

NOTES: (a final set of notes will be written upon completion of the bodice and sleeves)