So here's the task:

~ create a Lt Ellis SHADO costume

So here's how it's going.

In addition to the purple wig I acquired off of play.com and the SHADO badges my Dad found, I've found a few things.

I'm now living in Weymouth instead of onsite at Kingston Maurward, having moved early, but still shop in Dorchester which has a large fabric store and a couple of questions asked and I was presented with a range of material and one of the large rolls was spot on!! The fabric looks identical to the material used in the actual uniforms and has the right feel, movement and amount of elasticity. It cost £6.99 for 1m x 2m however I might need to purchase more as I'm now going to create the whole of the top uniform and wear skirt over the top of it, like in the show. My Dad has ample amounts of velcro for the skirt and has offered to help with the stitching which is a blessing.

The store owner informed me that she regularly gets the silver in as it's a popular craft material so I have not worries about running out of material.

The next step is to sketch the design out and get all the measures I require, then to mark out the fabric and begin making. However I don't have the time at the moment, or the spare set of hands.

In addition to the upper uniform and skirt I'm thinking on making the boots out of the material.

From what I've seen of close ups on the boots, they are heeled shoes covered in silver material to create a skin hugging boot. I'm now trawling the local charity shops and the likes for an appropriate pair.  

For the belt, I'm planning on cannibalising another belt. I've found one that has the right level of rigidity required and similar style. I'm planning on using fabric glue to stick the material over the top, then adding the belt decals. However the belt has two layers to it so either I use a filler to equal it out or rip off the upper material.  

Under shirt. I honestly thought this would be a huge issue. Then I sprained my ankle and had to buy pressure bandages...and would you believe it, the one I brought has the exact fabric style of the undershirt! BUT it's the wrong colour, so I bulk buyed and began looking for silver thread/glitter and grey dye...and then I remembered I had a silver/grey top lying about somewhere at home.

So when I traveled up to the West Midlands, guess what I went looking for? You got it! My old revision notes! Oh and that top...and lone and behold, it was perfect!! It had the correct pattern and the silver built in just like the SHADO uniform, however the lines are lateral rather than horizontal, but I'm not complaining. It saves me a fortune in fabric dye.

Oh yeah and I found virtually identical eye make up and little jewels so I can pull of Lt Ellis' makeup and found a professional beautician whose going to teach me how to do it.

So now I have for the costume:

~ Purple wig
~ SHADO badges
~ Silver fabric
~ Donor belt
~ Make Up
~ Silver/grey undershirt
~ Velcro and zippers

Left to find:

~ Donor shoes
~ Silver thread
~ Rectangular mirror/compact/make up box      
 
As for the bandages, well I'll put it this way... at the rate me and my lecture mates get injured on field excursions, i'll soon run out again!!