How to sew a Jedi Knight costume - Episode 3 (outer tunic)

In previous episodes, we introduced Star Wars costuming organizations and a guide on how to sew an inner tunic for a Jedi Knight costume. Now, let's take a look at the outer tunic.

How to do it?

The trick is that the outer tunic is sewn exactly the same way as the inner one. With three minor differences – it's longer, and the 5 cm hem angle on the outer tunic must be a bit steeper so the inner tunic's hem stands out. Plus, we'll add sleeves.

Now, you need to go back to the measurements we prepared in the first episode and use that information to adjust the inner tunic pattern on the parchment paper. My friend chose an outer tunic length of 96 cm. So, what I do is tape another piece of parchment paper to the inner tunic pattern and draw the missing part – extending the pattern. I do the same extension for the back piece pattern. If you have the right tools, you can skip this step and draw the missing piece directly onto the fabric for the outer tunic. As for the neck hem, just fold the original hem a bit more.

This time, we also need to add sleeves to the pattern. Again, you can make the sleeve pattern yourself using an old t-shirt or use a tailor's pattern. However, the sleeve needs a slight adjustment. Jedi have absurdly long and wide sleeves. In my opinion, it's more of a disadvantage in combat, but it looks effective on camera. How to do it?

Trace the sleeve shape onto parchment paper and extend it to the desired length – here it's 70 cm + 1.5 cm for seams. I usually fold it in half to work with just one side. From the end of the sleeve, I draw a straight line about 15-20 cm long (it can be longer, but don't make it look comical). It can be perpendicular to the sleeve length or slightly angled away from the body. Then, I connect the armpit to the newly extended sleeve with another line.

I hope the pictures I've prepared for this part will help you again.

Cutting the fabric and sewing

At this stage, we repeat the cutting and sewing steps from the second part of our sewing series. We will have the following pieces ready:

Back piece 1x

Front piece 2x (mirrored – for the right and left side)

Sleeve 2x

Hem 100x12 cm (or longer – depends on how long you want the hem on the tunic to be)

Use a zigzag stitch to finish the edges so they don't fray as much, and proceed as you did with sewing the inner tunic, including the hem. Then, set in the sleeves. It's a similar principle to sewing the hem. However, if my process pictures don't help you (and I won't be offended – my mom taught me to sew, and the internet), you'll find a ton of videos online that might be easier to understand.

My sleeve-setting technique is purely amateur, just like my sewing. But as long as it looks good, holds together, and serves its purpose, the method you choose really doesn't matter.

Once you set the sleeves, sew the whole piece in the necessary places and attach the hem. And the outer tunic is done.

In the next episode, we'll look at sewing the tabards and the sash. That will conclude our journey regarding the textile parts of the Jedi costume. However, we still have work to do on a proper Jedi Knight belt, so stay with us!

author Eva Lassler

List of episodes:

1. Preparation
   
2. Pattern and sewing
   
3. Outer tunic
   
4. tabards and sash