Looking to do some sewing on my small scale Vader in the future - his inner and outer capes to be exact - and are in desperate needs of patterns. So, if anyone got a template or a drawing showing how the capes should look when cutting them from the fabric, prior to sewing them together I would be most appreciative.

I have a general idea of how to make capes... but would like to get this as Vader accurate as possible, as I'm gonna try re-creating both an ANH & ESB version... unless they are the same.

Cheers.

KL posted this pattern years ago on his site...

http://www.oohyeahzone.com/collection/c ... vader.html


Not entirely accurate but a good starting point. There are many intricate details to the capeset depending on the version and film. ANH/ESB/ROTJ are all different from each other. The capes are even different in the same film depending on who had sewn it...the patterns and workmanship were pretty sloppy. Therefore you had missed and/or uneven seams and hems for example.

Suffice to say tho that on a scaled figure you would not be able to incorporate these small details so KL's pattern would probably work. One thing that I would add for accuracy that could be scaled is the yoke on the back of the cape. Also, just use 4 wedges of fabric...

Nice. Exactly what I needed...

Though, sorry to be a n00b, but what is a yoke? You got a picture example showing what it looks like?

yeah KevVader sums it up nicely.

Depending on how big your mini vader is going to be will determin the design you can use. And of course will the avaliability of the fabric width. For example to make a cape to suit me, being 6'4 in costume using 60 inch wide fabric, i used six panels using the triangular pattern to make a 3/4 cape. To do the same in 45 inch wide fabric i would of needed to make 8 triangular pieces.

As to the movie cape sets i have seen pictures of a cape made with four triangular panels, but getting fabric in widths more than 60 inch is goint to be hard as it is not very desirable now a days.

NHM...this strip of fabric is the yoke...ties together the wedges. Typically is found on shirts, the back piece along the shoulders.

Pic is of an actual cape, BTW...

Sweet. Thanks for clearing that up, KevVader.

The scale is 1:6 - my favorite scale.

i've recently decided that i'm in the market to upgrade my cape and robe, and i'm wondering if a consensus has been reached on what material the screen used (ROTJ if specific) robe and cape were made of. i'm not asking what can be passed off for it... i'm wondering what the actual material was. it looks very wool-like to me, but i can't be sure...

This was also asked over at the SLD, so I will post the same answer here.

There's actually three types of wool which were used in the films.

ROTS: crepe, 60" poly-wool blend (tested this by flame)
ANH/ROTJ: even weave, medium thread count, 72" wide (ANH) or 60" wide (ROTJ) 100% wool
ESB: 2/2 twill weave, medium thread count, 60" wide 100% wool

This should give you an idea of the weave types:



If you are curious about what variations are out there for fabric weaves, most of the traditional ones are given here: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14600/14 ... 4600-h.htm

WOAW... that's some serious info right there. Thanks for that.

Any idea of the lining as well? Some say it is satin and some say it's not... but traditionally capes were lined with silk... though, since this is a movie costume... traditions may go out the window.

The lining in all cases was polyester, not silk.

Satin merely refers to the type of weave, and different satins have different lustres depending on the weave and thread type. The super shiny bridal type satins were not used. The material is of moderate lustre, half-way between what you see in a polyester lining and a true bright satin. Even within the screen-used cloaks there is variation. The lining used for ESB cloaks came from at least two separate dye lots so there is subtle differences in how it looks.

Maia

Great info there Maia!

I had no idea the lining was polyester.

As always the Lady Vader knows her stuff!

Wow, cha-ching.

Thanks for the contribution, greatly appreciated.

Very interesting..Thanks for sharing

That is great info....if it's accurate. I'm just wondering what this detailed info is based on?

This imo is a valuable thread, so I'm making it a sticky topic for the time being.

Cheers.