Alien / Nostromo Uniforms

Here comes the avalanche... tutorial on the lacing please!! :)

Cos it looks like you found a suitable loop fabric?
 
right, I am now home so can type this up a bit better.

The original g-4B lacing panel from the suit is as follows (thanks to merliner for the pictures and the measurments)

Panel is 2" across. the tape is 3/8" wide. each loop is 3/8" (ie the same material) and 1/4" of loop. (this means each loop is a total of 1.2" long before being folded over.) The gap between each loop is 3/8".

I got 6m (yes 6m) of ribbon from a haberdashery, 1/2m of grey fabric and a bottle of fabric glue and some dark green thread. The laces came from a cobblers but are a bit of a light green. Can't dye them because they're polyester but they'll do until I find something darker.

Size 8 RAF jacket. Measured 1" down from the top of the sleeve, (that's the top of the patch), the patch is 3" high, so I then measured 3" down, that got me my approximate starting point for the laces panel. From there to the velcro at the base of the sleeve is 22.5" (bear in mind this a size 8, so I expect sleeve length to vary)

I cut out a panel of grey material , 25" x 3", allowing 2" clear at the top of the panel and 1" either side of the laces. The idea being to fold over the sides underneath. The top piece will go under the patch to help keep the whole thing intergrated. Examination of the screencaps of the jackets seem to me that they go under the patch on the arm.

Then it was just a matter of creating the loops, (25 per side), gluing them to the tape,then gluing the whole ribbong of tape and loops to the fabric panel. As you can see in my photo I then laced them up to make sure the laces were long enough.

When you consider it is a 1.8m lace, there wasn't much left at the bottom.

This weekend I am stitching the ribbon to the fabric. Ironing it (the instructions on the glue say it bonds better with heat) then stitching the panel to each arm. (pictures to follow once done)
 
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This thread is amazing, I am working on a Kane costume and this totally puts me in a good place to do that. Thanks folks!!!
 
Any of you guys try the RIT color remover on your Mk3 before you did the dye job? I've washed the thing a few times and let it dry outside in the weather and it's getting nice and frumpy but I want all the info I can get before I dip it in the royal blue.
 
Nope didn't use the rit dye remover. Considering it's a bit iffy on the fabric due to how much waterproof treatment is left in the fabric, I didn't want to make the colour differential even higher. So just dyed it with 3 packs of royal blue.

I was all set to start using a combination of dylon antique grey, denim blue and french lavender in various potion like quantites when I came across this haberdashery in barnsley where I work and they had RIT fabric dye!!!

I bought the only 3 boxes of royal blue they had. When I look at my jacket, I sometimes think it didn't dye because the green does show through on the blue, but when you get up close you can really see how much the colour changed cos the zips, tape and buttons obviously didn't change colour. the main thing is this looks suitably weathered and beat up.

@ jonesythecat.

I know what you mean about the waterproofing etc, but I just didn't want to take the chance on it going funky during the dying process.
 
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Lancer, the waterproofing on these jackets is a joke. Just wash them once and it will go all away. On the tag is also said that if it gets wet it has to be waterproofed again.

I'm also curious to see results with colour stripper before dye. The only thing that doesn't dye are those bloody green zips (because they are nylon and not cotton like the jacket), that's the only downside of dying these jackets. You end up with a blue jacket and green zips (not a bad match but not accurate either!)
 
I used Dylon colour remover. On a green jacket it didn't do anything, on the grey one it took a lot of the colour out. However, the linings on the 2 jackets reacted differently and one went blotchy and orange.

If I were to do it again I would not bother with the colour remover.
 
Kt, I got a grey one and dyed it blue... no colour remover. It became a nice blue. If I were to try it again I would use half the dosage I used (and make it a lighter colour) but perhaps you're right, in any case it's better stay away from colour removers (and green MK3s)


(By the way KT it's all your fault for dragging me into this hobby :lol )
 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/42558691@N02/3998056614

no patches in the mail :( me in my everyday gear, got those trainers from ark, craghopper pants. Still sorting shirt and tshirt.

forgive my screwing my face up, I had the sun right in the eyes :D

a dickies store has opened at the local retail park, but alas, no plain white shirts or pants I can butcher into nostromo copies.

has anyone come up with anything I can order online to do that please. also, can't seem to find a plain, short sleeve, round neck olive green or avacado green t-shirt for love nor money.
 
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/42558691@N02/3998527451

collar piping done. I know, I know, it should be pink, but I'm wanting to wear this out and about and pink wouldn't look right.

This is a polyester piping cord, my theory being that when colour leeches out of the fabric (and it will) and if I went with a more matt finish cord (which would be more accurate, but only available in cotton) then in time, it would change colour. being polyester that shouldn't happen.

ironing on the lettering tomorrow. and machining the lace panels, so all that is then left is to sow the panels and the patches on (once they arrive, gee, thanks royal mail)
 
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the piping? well I had bought a few different types. one was just like this cord but with a flat ribbon attached. the original plan was pick open the collar edges, insert the ribbon and sow it back up, but it really was gonna be a pig to do it that way. so I went with just the cord, stitching it tight to the collar edge. It has lain really really well and looks great up close. it makes a huge difference to the jacket just wearing it plain with the collar like it is now.
 
I've just been through the entire thread and one thing I can't find is any comment on how far down from the collar the nostromo lettering on the back should be?

To me, it looks like the top of the nostromo curve is in line with the arm to shoulder seam.

Edit Merliner just came up with the answer

'4 inches down from collar zip to the top of the "R" letter in NOSTROMO'
 
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/42558691@N02/4001186947

sorry, the overhead light washed out the lettering colour

well that was an interesting experience, not one I care to repeat anytime soon. the finish is 'okay, not super smooth but it bears up 'okay'

just hope the patches arrive in the mail now so I can get this finished.

I know this is preaching heresy, but for my jacket, seeing as I've deviated a bit on the piping, I'm tempted to add white piping to the cuffs as well.
 
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merliner said:
Improvements include, background colour, center star shape, colour band width.
2009_09200005.jpg
Click to expand...
Got mine today, and they're awesome. Thanks very much!
 
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