My Purple Bounty Hunter for the Price Conscious (Budget Zam Thread)

[Cressie]

Intro:

Hey guys! I'm new to the TDH boards. I'm Cressie, a Dragon-Con veteran and recent fellow Zammer. I'm a recovering Padme addict- in other words I need something more challenging than sewing senatorial and I want to try my hands at armor! So I thought Zam would be the perfect costume to get me out of my Padme addiction- Plus I really want a good costume challenge this summer! And after reading most of the threads, it looks like I really have my work cut out for me.

I've been dying to do this costume for several years. She's the sexiest bounty hunter in the galaxy. BUT one problem. I have time to devote to Zam all summer long, but not the money. I'm in law school right now and I can't spend several grand on a costume, but would still like a good replica in time for DragonCon. I'm pretty crafty with sewing (8 Padme/Leia costumes and counting), leather (Mustafar Padme) and powertools (I'm a country girl), so I'm pretty certain I can do the work.

So here is the master plan after a lot of research and reading the wonderful posts on this forum:

• All hard leather parts will be made in glorious white vinyl. Why? Because I found a 12 X 5 ft roll of it at Big Lots for 10 bucks! It has great texture and it's pretty think and hard like kitchen floor linoleum- so it might be used for the shin guards and skirt only.

• The soft leather parts will be made from walmart pleather for 2.99/yd.

• Chest armor will be made out of Sintra or yard sale sign (Thanks ZamIAm!)

• Greebles will most likely be made out of Bend and Flex Sculpty from Hobby Lobby left over from my Slave Leia. I had great luck with sculpting, painting and the durability of it. You can bounce it on concrete!

• Shoes are men's hiking boots from Walmart

• Shin guards are pleather covered vinyl.

• Bodysuit will be a modified Zentai purple bodysuit from ebay, with a soft foam interfacing to give it the thick look of neoprene. I have yet to receive the suit, so this is still in the works.

• Helment: I've really bounced around with the helmet. I do believe this is outside my skill level, so I will most likely need a kit. But, i'm not giving up that easy. I'm at least going to attempt my version of it. It might even be fiberglass covered paper mache' hehe

Anymore ideas for a budget Zam? I feel like Ms. Cheap from the sunday newspaper!

[Cressie]

While I'm waiting for my Lycra bodysuit from e-bay, I decided to work on the skirt, which is my favorite Zam part visually.

I used my 10 dollar vinyl and 3 different colors of purple spray paint for painting this test swatch (I also cut up an old belt for the ribbon). It seems too shiny, so I'm thinking about spraying a clear Matte finish on it.

[Cressie]

Boot find at Walmart. They are called Journey in brown by Earth Spirit in the Men's boot section. They were $30 and extremely comfortable. I wore them around all day today (yup, I have no sense of fashion).

Here is a pic of them with my shin guard:

[Cressie]

And tonight i had my first experience with Sintra. I used a newspaper to create a pattern for the chest armor, thanks to my Dressing a Galaxy Book and my new best friend, My 12 inch Zam Doll. I had no idea she had blond hair under the helmet, i always thought it was dark. Shows what i know!

I used my pattern to cut 1/8in Sintra with a sharp box cutter and sanded the edges. Tomorrow I use the dremel to cut out the letters and heat it up to shape. Wish me luck!

[azheat01]

Sounds like you have a good plan and idea, I can't wait to see how it turns out!

[JDFett]

I love this stuff...Im a huge fan of alternate methods of costuming and budget concepts...will be a treat watching your progress...looks like your off to a great start

[FANGS]

Just a couple of pointers from someone who's been using sintra for awhile....and has screwed it up many times....haha. Remember that sintra gives off toxic fumes when heated so be sure to be in a well ventilated area. If you're using the boiling water method, don't use a pot you plan on ever using for food again. Who knows what kind of chemicals from the sintra leach in to the pot. I know it definitely discolors some metals. If you use a heat gun, be really careful. You'll be able to see the plastic start to break down so heat on the side that won't be seen. And....when you sand the edge of sintra it gets a funny texture that becomes more obvious when you paint it. Not a huge deal but thought I'd warn you. Good luck with all of this!

[Cressie]

Thanks for the tips BFett333,

I hadn't even thought about the pan yet, but I have a large metal wash tub that I use on the stove for dying fabrics, so i'll just use that.

And I was wondering why the edges aren't ultra smooth, I thought it was the type of sandpaper. Thanks! I would have been sanding all day long!

[MaulMaus]

Well Bless-my-heart Cressie! Isn't that what Tennesseean's say? Welcome to The Dented Helmet and the Zam Forums! Happy to have you on our side... You aren't too far from where my best friend lives - I'll have to arrange a bounty on her so you can get her into costuming!

Sounds like you've got a plan! I also have to say I'm impressed with what you've done so far - it really looks great! Please keep us posted on your progress! We love pics of that!

And I'm looking forward to meeting you at Dragon*Con! I'm thinking we need to get all of us Zam's together and get a group picture!

[JDFett]

for sure! then we can really see the lighting reek havok on all our colors purple!

[Cressie]

Thanks MaulMaus! And that's exactly how we say it in TN.

Yes yes, I'm all for a Zam D*con photoshoot. My boyfriend is an Atlanta area photographer and lives just seconds from the convention- We might be able to sweet talk him into doing it.

I hope to find the hose and connectors at our local Tractor Supply store- i've seen the black connectors, just not the hose. Good ole' Tennessee farm products!

[MaulMaus]

We might be able to sweet talk him into doing it.

Start working on him!

Well... if you find that hose (1" diameter) Give a holler! A lot of us are still looking for some good hose. Not a lot of farming or tractor supply places in Phoenix... Used to be believe it or not... not any more!

[Cressie]

The hose hunt:
I've seen the hose before. It looks very similar to the one on my grandma's Electrolux vacuum from the 60's. The ribs are perfect, but the diameter is larger than 1in.

Has anyone tried ribbed pond hose? The ones for custom outdoor ponds and fountains? I found a website that sells them, but looks like they don't ship to the US. It looks close, so I might have to go to garden stores instead of farm supply.

[sl/tk8456]

Well if that hose is suitable and you're stuck elsewhere, give me a holler and I'll buy it/send it out to you

[Langsuir666]

We have loads of different bits of hose at work - i looked at it all today, hunting in all the little stores and none is suitable

[Langsuir666]

Oooh i found this but its 4 inch - maybe something similar?

http://www.amazon.com/PSI-Woodworkin...310797-7188633

This is 1 inch but not sure the ribs are far enough apart
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pond-corruga.../dp/B000NXQXAU

Maybe this but im not sure on sizes in mm and i gotta get back to work! lol
http://www.ralco-tubings.co.uk/hoses...g-item-53.html

[MaulMaus]

I don't think either of those would work. The first the ribs aren't far enough apart the second just doesn't look right.

1" hose would be 25mm.

I'm still thinking its some kinda scuba hose... but I've not found anything yet either.

[sl/tk8456]

The stuff we've used is 25mm in diameter.
I've no idea when these guys quote the 'bore' ifit's thr diamater or the circumference?
someone fancy doing a bit of maths?

[sl/tk8456]

Found it!!!

http://www.ralco-tubings.co.uk/hoses...-item-209.html
25mm internal diameter

[JDFett]

i like the look of that...whats the quantity you need to buy? maybe we could all pool together...get enough for those who want it and have it sent to one person who can cut it up to length(plus a few inches on each hose for connection options) and have it sent out?

the hose im using right now is from a respirator machine in a hospital...looks pretty good but the ribs i think are still a tad close...



not sure if the other hose john posted is any more open coiled than what i got or not, hard to tell in the pictures

[Zam I Am]

Beads - christmas beads - spray painted gun metal, but I think Ace hardware may have em?

[Cressie]

Thanks Zam I Am- i wouldn't have thought of that! We have lots of Ace stores here.
I'm off to Savannah, GA for my birthday this weekend. But as always, i'll have an eye out for Zam parts. I'm going to look for the hose again over the weekend. I wish some of the websites we found had better pictures. I'd feel much better about getting up an order.

[MaulMaus]

Yep... know what you mean.

Happy Birthday in any case!

[JDFett]

cressie,

what material did you use for the shins? and i gotta say...the fashion statment of the one zam shoe and the one white flat is smashing

I bet you could make a decent helmet starting with your basic hard hat with some easy mods with a dremel and some detailing

[Cressie]

Thanks! I always try to make a statement in shin guards! hehe

and thanks for the birthday wish!

The shin guards are made from 1/4 inch kitchen linoleum (but the tag on the roll from Big Lots calls it Vinyl) then i covered them with brown pleather fabric from walmart after i stitched the top edge. They are pretty strong and very comfy. I also had no trouble putting the snaps through the pleather and vinyl. i'm prolly going to strengthen the back of them with fiberglass or goop so they won't lose their shape. But i'm really happy with them.

I just got my bodysuit. I don't know how the color is going to be till i hold it up to a picture in Dressing a Galaxy, but the shine is perfect. It will still need to be altered for the correct seem placement, but $20 ($10 bodysuit and $10 shipping) is a steal for pattern to go by and lots of thick lyrca!

One problem- i think this Zentai body suit is some sort of fetish wear or something?? It came with a complete face hood and a crotch zipper! LOL It will be modified! Just a heads up for anyone who might go this route!

here's part of the suit:

I'm using the built in camera on my macbook and it doesn't take good pics- sorry

[JDFett]

[Melli Offee]

***
I decided to go the budget route with my Zam, as well. I ended up fashioning pretty much my entire costume after the 12-inch doll, and I liked the fact that I could examine the details up close and rotate it in my hand. It's a bit more simplistic, and I used the vinyl and pvc also. I don't think I spent more than $200 on the entire costume.

So, it's not a "screen acurate" version of Zam, but I'm happy with it. I've really enjoyed making it...and especially wearing it to my group's events. =)

Also, I really get a kick out of this site. I've gathered a lot of useful information from this forum, and I like watching the progress of all of the different Zams. All of your costumes look spectacular! And good luck, Cressie, on your budget Zam. Can't wait to see the finished product.
***

[MandoMan]

I never really wandered into this Zam section of the forum before, but seeing as how it's a budget costuming thread, I clicked immediatly. I love seeing budget costumes come together, and seeing most or all of it gathered/scratchbuilt from other resources other than ready-made kits.

You're making great progress so far! Very nice to see everything coming together. I obviously don't know much of anything about Zam, but that purple suit looks good to me, plus for $20, who can complain?

I'll definatly be watching this thread!

-Chris

[ZamBamThankYouMaam]

WOW. :thumbup You have some awesome ideas for a Zam newbie like me. Mind if I borrow a few? I'm just starting the SERIOUS research, and every little thing helps. So far, I am SO happy that I joined this forum. I've been doing Star Trek stuff for me and my husband for years, and I'm finding the Star Wars people to be much more forth-coming on the how-to stuff. I'm getting excited to start my own!

[Cressie]

Yes yes- Borrow and share any and all ideas- I think my costume is more of a community costume because I'm pretty new at this too. Plus, some of these materials are kinda "trial and error". I also don't know how this is going to hold up walking around Dragon-con. I might have a roll of duct tape hidden under the cape for emergencies.

The SW community rocks! Online and at events and conventions they are some of the sweetest people ever. Not to mention highly intelligent (it takes a lot of creativity to pull off these costumes).

Another idea i just remembered. A wonderful couple at Dragon-Con last year (i forgot your names -i'm sorry) did a panel on budget costumes and they made this great kid-version of Zam. These are the materials they used (if i can remember them all):
- Chest Armor- Plastic automobile floor mats
- Helmet: A child's firefighter helmet shaped with GOOP (they said they let it dry till it's soft and scuptable)
-Earcover pieces: a child's oval-shaped walkie-talkie mounted with GOOP glue.
-Armatures: old eye-glass frames

That's all that i can remember- but if the couple is on this forum I'd love to ask you some questions.

[MaulMaus]

I've been doing Star Trek stuff for me and my husband for years

Ohhh.... .....Star Trek eh??

Welcome ZamBamThankYouMaam to TDH! There's a LOT of information on these threads to read and digest! I'm still working to organize them and weed out the "bad" information (i.e. broken links, etc.). But, I think you'll find everything you could possibly want to know about Zam and then some! (There's also a search function for those elusive parts that aren't readily apparent ). And feel free to ask questions! We've all been newbies at this and all of us are still learning!

Oh... and don't tell anyone... but I like Star Trek too!

Don't worry Cressie... You bring the duct tape, I'll bring the glue!

[Cressie]

I got home and placed the new suit to the DAG book and it's pretty far off, but that's to be expected from the price. It needs to be more red-gray and less purple. Has anyone dyed 100% lycra before? I believe you have to have an very hot acid-dye bath?

Here is the comparison:

[MaulMaus]

Nope, never dyed lycra... Did you check out the information on the Dharma Trading Company Site?

http://www.dharmatrading.com/home.html

They have lots of info there as well as the materials to do the job.

[JDFett]

i know jamie and i thought about dying the material we got from stretchhouse at one point...to get it a tad more purpleish-red...we tried everything and even let is sit in superhot water for like a day...it did nothing at all...strange...if you do find a way to get the dye to take let us know...we sould like to get a bit more redish hue to the suit

[Cressie]

Thanks JD.... Looks like I might be ordering some. This budget Zam is starting to look not so budget :/

I found a 1in hose FREE! It was hidden in the closet from an old Shark vaccum. The ribs are alittle too close, but it'll do.

Today I finished punching holes in the vinyl with a soldering gun. I did alittle over 210 squares just to be safe. I also sculpted the hose connecters.

I found the parts for the blaster at Wal-mart tonight. A water gun and a kid's plastic flute! They will be bonded together and painted for a total of $5 The plastic flute is PERFECT for the end of the gun.

Will post pics tomorrow after skirt square painting- yee haw!

[Cressie]

I received the neoprene from Strechhouse and i can't wait to start my muslin model! Yippee! I also got a $2 discount per yard, just for asking if they had it on sale! I would highly recommend this company- Thanks JDFett for the find!

I'm lacing up the skirt right now, which is taking forever! I found a bodkin (a long needle with a large eye to insert elastic into casings-I'd never heard of one before) to help with the lacing. I was walking around my favorite quilt store and thought it would be perfect to help my poor tired fingers.

Here is a peak at my skirt during painting and all of the spray can colors used. Surprisingly, after extensive testing, it looks great and the paint doesn't crack. But I’m still going to seal them with a clear coat spray just in case.

[MaulMaus]

Hey... that looks pretty good!

Yeah... the lacing does take forever. I think it took me 5 days on-off to get the thing done! I still have to try it on with the boots and cummerbund to check for the right length though... as I added an extra row that I may or may not need.

[GCNgamer128]

You're doing a great job!!

[JDFett]

looking great cressie!

heck...leave the muslin at the door and just go for it! LOL thats what i did...I figured...with my luck the muslin one would come out awesome and then i wouldve just wasted time..heheh

[MaulMaus]

I can't sew without a muslin... I've never had a pattern come out the way I wanted and fit me the way I wanted the first time without a number of alterations.

Case in point: The pants pattern I was going to use for the Zam pants.. no way! And no way could I have fixed them if I had used the Zam fabric! I would've been up a creek without a paddle. Off to find something for Plan B... *sighs*

[JDFett]

basacally with Jamies we sewed the saddle section into two halves first....then sewed the two halves together...after that I put it up to Jamie and pinned it where it should go...when i slid it off her leg, I then simply used a straight edge to "connect the dots" a tad inside the pins...the sewed the straight stitch on the inside of the leg...repeated for other leg...sewed the two together...then made a quick crotch adjustment so it fit her right and wallah...all done...

it is important to make sure the saddle seams match up inside the thigh and to use the stitch that looks like this " !Z! " that will keep everything tight and make your seams look right when the fabric stretches

[MaulMaus]

I'm going to make a pattern off a pair of casual pants that I have and like the fit of...then add the saddle part to it.

Zig-Zag stitch...

[Cressie]

Good idea, i've done that before but usually just for PJ and lounge pants (i guess that's essentially what Zam's are). I think i'm going to look around the house for a pattern I might have lying around. I keep looking at the pictures and it seems to me that the saddle part is actually apliqued on the front (sewing over the hem of the saddle section) tacked down through the crouch seam? That would make it 2 layers of neoprene? Is that right?

[Cressie]

I have 1 more week before classes/work start back and I'm determined to finish Zam or at least come close. Pants are almost done, crop top done, skirt only 7 more rows, vest needs fasterners, cumberbun done and helmet needs brim. So I have to finish that and scuplt greebles and lower armor. AGGGGGHH!!

I have turned my parent's living room into a Zam sweat shop (they have extra room and power tools!) They are about to disown me over Zam. See picture:


Trust me I know where everything is!

[GCNgamer128]

That's looking great!!!

[ItsThatGuy]

Looks like Zam blew up all over your room!

YOU CAN DO IT!

[MaulMaus]

C'mon Cressie! You can get it finished! We believe in you!

That top looks great... and the 1/2 skirt looks terrific too... hard to pick out anything else though! Your parents must have the patience of saints though...

Can't wait to see the whole project completed... and maybe a pic of the living room cleaned up!

[JDFett]

all i can say is...WOW!!!!

this stuff is looking great for zam on a budget you win the prize...a girl after my own heart...less money doesnt always mean a bad costume! great work so far!!!

[Cressie]

I made the gauntlets out of layers of craft foam. It was suprizingly easy to press out detail. For durability i'm backing each one with a thin coat of bondo. They are resting on spray paint cans!


I also scuplted each greeble by hand- fun fun!


Now the paint!

[mdoug18217]

What book is that laying in the middle of the living room floor?

Thanks,
Michael

I have 1 more week before classes/work start back and I'm determined to finish Zam or at least come close. Pants are almost done, crop top done, skirt only 7 more rows, vest needs fasterners, cumberbun done and helmet needs brim. So I have to finish that and scuplt greebles and lower armor. AGGGGGHH!!

I have turned my parent's living room into a Zam sweat shop (they have extra room and power tools!) They are about to disown me over Zam. See picture:


Trust me I know where everything is!

[JDFett]

looks like the dressing the galaxy book

[Cressie]

Yup, it's Dressing A Galaxy. It's the SW costumer's bible. A very handy reference. I got it from Amazon for about $30 bucks. It's a must have!

[mdoug18217]

Does it discuss Queen Amidala's red throne room gown in the book?

Thanks,
Michael

[JDFett]

i beleive it does have that gown in it...to what extent im not really sure..havnt look at that...been in the zam page since i bought it

[mdoug18217]

Well I ordered the book. Thanks Cressie and JD. I just recently started on the Amidala red throne room costume, so that's why I was asking if that costume was in the book. Every little bit of info helps.

Michael

[Cressie]

Yippee!!!! So, every part is finished! I just need to put it all together!!! And just alittle over budget. My helmet is kinda wacky, but it was my first attempt and i'm ok with it. This next week i'll be testing it to make sure nothing falls off during D-con! I just picked up some purple duct tape at Walmart. I'm so ready!

[MaulMaus]

Allright!!! Congratulations Cressie!!!

Looking forward to seeing the costume and meeting you at DC!

[jodo]

So THATS what heaven looks like.

[Scott Kaufmann]

I have to hand it to you Zammers, all the work that you do and all the equipment that is involved. Your doing some superb work so far Cressie!

[Cressie]

Dragon-Con was wonderful as usual! It was great meeting all of the Zammer's on TDH! I learned so much about other techniques and it has fueled my desire to upgrade! I also got to meet some of the original Zam's, ZamIam, Holly and MaulMaus. Just a great time period!

My costume is done, but in need of repair after Dcon. It took a beating in the parade on Saturday (toe guards and hoses mainly).

I was a little over my original budget (because the neoprene was about $100), but in total my Zam was approx. $250. Not bad for a Budget Zam in 8 months.
Here is one picture, more to come later:


I am very satisfied with my gun, which cost about 2 bucks. It's a toy watergun that resembled the barrel of Zam's gun with a plastic claranet attached to the end and painted with buff n' rub and black kylon spray paint.

The gauntlets were made using craft foam, glue and buff n' rub and the greebles were bend and flex Scupley backed w/ Sintra. Now the upgrading begins.

[JDFett]

great job cressie...it was nice to meet you in person....only saw you at the parade but it was nice to talk with you! jamie was also glad to say hello to you as well...wish i wasnt marching as maul...wouldve liked to see you jamie and holly zamming it up!

[Cressie]

Hey JD and Jamie! I didn't forget about you! Thanks! We Zammers couldn't make this costume possible without each other. It was wonderful meeting you before the parade. And a BIG congratulations on the costume contest/Best of Show win!

[Zam I Am]

Cressie, we had so much fun! I think that is the fastest built and least inexpensive zam costume ever! If we had a TDH contest, you'd definitely win! AND it looks great! Here's some pics of us, and, if you want me to give your pics of you to your new garrison, lmk!

[Cressie]

Thanks for the pics ZamIam! I just submitted my pics for my 501st membership! yippee! Thanks again for all of your help

[JDFett]

Hey JD and Jamie! I didn't forget about you! Thanks! We Zammers couldn't make this costume possible without each other. It was wonderful meeting you before the parade. And a BIG congratulations on the costume contest/Best of Show win!

thanks...she was in total shock when they called her name for that. to beat out someone of thomas' costuming caliber was quite a feat! A great ego boost for the zam community...when one of us win...we all win!!!

[Kay_Dee]

Congrats to JDFett and Jamie for your win at the MOTF costume contest. I'm so glad I got to see her costume up close! Nice work!

Cressie - your 'budget' zam turned out really well! I'm sorry I didn't get to see it in person, I think the BSG group was lined up across the street from 501st. If I'd been thinking I would have run over quickly to look for you.

[MaulMaus]

Cressie - It was so nice to finally meet you! Congrats on your costume too! You did such a fantastic job on it! You definitely deserve some sort of prize for fastest/cheapest/cutest Zam out there... Good luck on your upgrades (You know you're gonna do them! ) and looking forward to seeing you again at a future con!