Easy Science Fiction Costumes

Halloween is fast approaching. Our family doesn't celebrate Halloween for religious reasons and I know all you SciFi types are open-minded enough to respect that.

We do have a huge Fall Festival/Carnival type thing to attend. It's a Halloween alternative. My family is going with a Star Wars theme this year. Heroic Husband will be Han Solo. Elder Daughter, a.k.a. 'Kimber, Jr.' is going as Luke Skywalker, Younger Daughter is Princess Leia, and Son is Wicket the Ewok.
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Being a Science Fiction genius, I'm sure you want to go as your favorite character, but you don't want to wear one of those cheapie kid costumes from Wal-Mart. Maybe you have no sewing skills or are only a Beginner. This blog's for you. I'll use Star Trek and Star Wars, since they're the most well-known Science Fiction universes going.

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No Sewing Required

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STAR WARS
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Anakin Skywalker in Phantom Menace
All you need are some boots, tan pants, brown or off-white T-shirt, and a karate top. There are many thrift shops around the country operated by charities like the Salvation Army. Value Village and Bishop's Attic are popular here in Alaska. When kids grow out of their karate uniforms, they end up in these thrift shops. Buy one and dye it tan. Fabric dye can be bought in any Wal-Mart or craft store, usually under the brand name RIT. Fabric paint can easily be bought cheap from those places too.

Beru Lars in Attack of the Clones
Same as Anakin, except you'll need a tan or brown skirt instead of pants.

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Luke in New Hope

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Same as Anakin, but no t-shirt. Leave the karate top white. Get a man's belt and attack cool leather-like things and a toy lightsaber.

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Han Solo in New Hope

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Black pants, boots, white knit shirt (a Henley or a thermal underwear shirt), and a black vest. I had five black vests to choose from when I bought my husband's black vest at a thrift shop for $5. Attach a toy blaster and you're good for go.

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Ewok from Return of the Jedi

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I converted a lion costume I bought at the thrift shop for my son. I cut a piece of fake leather to make the head covering and tied it close with a shoelace. Brown face paint was bought at Wal-Mart for about a dollar.

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Leia on the Endor Strike Team.
Gray paints and boots. Tan shirt. You can get camoflage fabric at Wal-Mart or any fabric/craft store to make the Poncho. Cut out about a yard or two. Cut a hole in the middle for your head.

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Star Trek

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The original series male is really the only no-sew uniform.

You'll need black pants, boots, and t-shirt. Get a long sleeve knit shirt and remove the collar. Glue it under so the edges don't show. The black t-shirt collar should show. If you can't find the correct collar, find a white or very light colored shirt instead and dye it. Paint the Star Trek emblem on fabric with fabric paints and glue to the shirt.

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BEGINNER SEWING SKILLS

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Padme parade gown from Phantom Menace.

This one only looks scary to sew. It's only a white sheath dress with a scoop neckline and a cape. Overlay stiff interfacing with fabric and glue on sequins for the front tabard. Cut out tulle or very lightweight cotton in petal shapes and glue or sew onto the cape. You'll need a friend to help with the hair.

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Padme's Wedding Dress from Attack of the Clones

You could convert a real wedding dress bought at a thrift shop or sew the dress and overlay with lace. You only need the basic shape, which is a V-neck dress with princess seams..

Padme's Nightgown

Padme's Green Gown

This is a basic A-line dress, V-neck, with a hood attached at the collar. Easy.

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Leia in New Hope
There are patterns for this one, but you don't need one. Lay out a large sheet of white paper and have a friend trace around your body. Then cut out the basic dress shape, like this. Sew up the sides, finish the sleeve, neck, and hem edges, and attach a hood. This is what I did for Younger Daughter.

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Leia on Bespin in Empire Strikes Back.

This is just a sheath dress with a wide belt (you can cover a belt with fabric or paint it) over leggings and boots and with a gray, sleeveless coat.

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Luke in his Flightsuit.

This is the one Kimber, Jr. and I made for her. She painted a hockey helmut (plenty of those in Alaska!) and a toy breastplate from a kid's medieval knight dress-up costume. I dyed a white shirt and pants orange. We got a belt and attached a toy lightsaber.

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Luke in Return of the Jedi.
Just a long sleeved black shirt, pants, and boots. For the Jedi vest, you can sew one easily from a pattern or get a karate top from the thrift store, cut off the sleeves, and dye it black. Find a black man's belt and attach a toy lightsaber. The cloak is easy. Just a basic cape with a hood. There's a pattern if you want one and it'll work for Prequel Jedi too.

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Star Trek

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Original series female uniform.

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This is just an A-line dress cut short. Black collar. Paint the Star Trek logo on fabric and glue or sew on. Black boots and shorts.

Next Gen, DS9, Voyager, and Enterprise. There are patterns for these which you can buy off eBay, but it might be too late. The Enterprise uniform was just a navy blue jumpsuit. If you can't find one, belt together a long sleeve shirt and pants. Dye navy blue if needs be.

After all that, I must confess that I'm going as a Fantasy genre heroine, Lady Eowyn from LORD OF THE RINGS.

Have fun!

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P.S. Here's a mega site for costume creation inspired by the movies- http://www.costumersguide.com/sf.shtml