Star Wars Costume Making
Almost any costume retailer has in stock, or can easily order, Star Wars costumes. But some crafty fans would much rather make their own. Pros and home fashioners alike copy the wardrobes of their favorite Star Wars characters and wear their creations with pride. Some fans even make their own props (like lightsabers) to go with the costumes. If you choose to make a Star Wars costume yourself, you'll have no shortage of ideas, tips and inspiration from which to draw.
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History
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Fans have been making Star Wars costumes since the first film (Episode IV: A New Hope) premiered in 1977, as noted in Will Brooker's 2002 book "Using The Force" (see Reference 3). In those early years of the film series, fans had only the movies to refer to for costume features. More recently, though, Websites dedicated to Star Wars costumes and how to make them, such as padawansguide.com, have sprung up with much more information and specifics of costumes.
Significance
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As with any garment making, creating Star Wars costumes is a tangible way to express yourself. But which character you decide to emulate--even which one of that character's outfits you've chosen--can, in certain circumstances, tip off other fans to your feelings about the films. For instance, if you're female and choose to make and wear a Boba Fett (a male character) costume, some fans may wonder if you support the Campaign for a Female Boba Fett (see Resource 2). Or, if you choose a character from the Expanded Universe (see Reference 2), that could be a sign that you're familiar with more of the Star Wars world than what's in the movies.
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Types
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According to padawansguide.com, the main types of costumes are Jedis, the Dark side characters and Padme Amidala clothing. The site also lists categories of miscellaneous costumes (such as Naboo mourners from Episode III) and original trilogy costumes (including several Princess Leia outfits).
Another distinction is how "professional" you want your Star Wars costume to look. Some fans make costumes that only need to serve as a Halloween outfit, while others try to copy the designs in the movies down to the last detail. Either type is fine as long as you're happy with the outcome.
Methods
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Many Star Wars costumes will require sewing, especially if you want the finished costume to have a more polished feel. But it is possible to cobble already existing garments together into some of the less elaborate outfits, like Jedi robes or Han Solo's Episode IV duds.
Considerations
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Before you begin, you'll need to make sure you have enough time to devote to creating the costume. Be sure to budget extra time in case you make a major goof and have to re-do some of it.
Skill is another consideration. If you're a beginner at sewing, for instance, you'll want to avoid Queen Amidala's complicated royal garb.
Materials are possibly the most important thing to think about. Make sure you'll be able to get what you need (stormtroopers' suits are more plastic than fabric, for instance), that you have a place to buy it (whether online or brick-and-mortar) and that you can afford it.
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