Klingon Uniform
Construction Guide
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
&
Star Trek: The Search for Spock
Style Uniform
CONSTRUCTION NOTES
One challenge in the uniform's design that 2 yards of silver rope or upholstery cord
Robert Fletcher had difficulty with was the (112 inch in diameter)
The Duty Uniform vest in the films was closure devices. He and his crew chose
made from leather, dyed grey, then buffed snaps and fasteners, but from a practical 1 pair of black electrician's gloves
to a shiny silver for the film; however, point of view they are most unreliable
when dealing with heavy leathers or 1 pair of black trousers (with front crease)
there are numerous fabrics-both natural
and man-made-that can adequately vinyls. I found velcro, sewn to the under-
side of the yoke and the top of the vest, to 1 pair of high boots
substitute for the expensive leather. For
instance a variety of vinyl, leather-look-a- be ideal for joining the top and bottom
1 2 1/2 to 3 inch belt (black vinyl
like fabric. It is easy to work with on most halves of the uniform; and a zipper, hidden
preferred)
sewing machines and holds its shape in the rear, adequate to get the costume on-
startlingly well. There are, of course, many and-off. However, should you wish to use 1 tube of silver Rub & Buff
fine materials, particularly in upholstery snaps and fasteners, use plenty of them to
fabrics and the final decision of choosing keep the uniform sealed. 1 tube of fast drying resin or cement
the right one is ultimately left to the
Various accoutrements should be hand- 2 yards of 2 to 3 inch silver trim
decision (and pocket book) of the
crafted or scratch-built to make the
costumer.
uniform most authentic. Assorted accoutrements and belt buckle
The color of the vest is a shiny silver\grey,
which is tarnished through constant wear PATTERN *Note: Should you wish to line your vest,
purchase a lining that will be suitable for
(as well as lack of care by the Klingons).
This effect can be achieved by using a A Uniform Pattern-median size 38 - has uniform color.
substance called Rub & Buff (sold been provided with this article; and
nationwide in hobby and craft stores): The because of its schematic layout, the size
ratio can be altered up and down for larger
INSTRUCTIONS
substance is applied to the material like an
oil, rubbed in until it dries, then buffed for or smaller sizes. A pattern for the sleeves Step 1 - Once you've obtained your fabrics
the appropriate shine. Rub & Buff comes has also been included; but no pattern for and materials, you are ready to begin.
in silver, gold, bronze, etc., and is very trousers or boots. Measure (or have someone else measure)
easy to use. However, ot is suggested to your waist, chest, shoulders, neck and
work in small sections until you are fully Due to the intricacy of the costumer's arm's length, and transfer those
proficient. design, you may wish to obtain color measurements to the pattern, prior to
photos or consult several magazines on the cutting the materials out. The pattern is a
The shoulder, neck and sleeve trims-which Star Trek films. Please note: This article median size 38-which is your most
should be buffed to a shiny silver-grey-are contains sufficient information to re-create common size medium-and you will need
cut from felt (or equivalent material), sewn the uniform, and you need not be a master to work up and down from that. It is
to the vest, then hardened by a liquid resin. or expert costumer; but you should be suggested that you cut the materials out
(Note: if you have friends that are model familiar with working from patterns and approximately one size larger than
builders, they can show you how to pour have moderate talent. necessary because of the elaborate ribbing.
and harden the resin; otherwise, consult You can always take the extra material
with your local craft store.) The other Remember: the costume is not an easy out; but it's difficult, if not impossible, to
trims-such as on the gloves and uniform- one, but with patience and attention to add.
are surgical tubes dyed black and epoxied detail, you, too, can make it.
into place. (Note: If you are working in leather
Perhaps, the most striking feature of the
MATERIALS (instead of vinyl), you may wish to
purchase a trim that will simulate the
Klingon uniform is the sharp contrast of 3-5 yards of leather or leather-like vinyl ribbing-effect, because multiple layers of
the black undergarments against the silver (neutral color) leather is too thick for most standard
vest, and this can easily be achieved with a sewing machines.)
little patience. Black fake fur is cut from 2 yards of grey lining material (shiny)*
the sleeve pattern and sewn into the sleeve Step 2 - Fold material in half and cu t
holes of the silver vest, while vinyl (or 2 yards of felt (or equivalent material) patterns au t. Pay particular attention to
equivalent material) is sewn to the top of (neutral color) cutting the yoke so that it remains a single
high boots as a boot-extender to cover the unit divided by the fold. (By doing this, it
black duty trousers. Additional black trims 1 yard of black fake fur will save you the step of sewing the yoke
can be added to the boots and pants to halves together.)
3 yards of black trim (1/4 inch to 1/2 inch)
compliment the overall look. (Note: three
parallel trims-originating at the bottom of 2 yards of 1/2 inch silver trim 2 yards of
the vest and ending under the boot- black velcro
extender-are sewn first together, then to
the front crease lines of the trousers.) 1 12 to 15 inch silver zipper
Step 3 - Pin the wrong side of the left front (Note: The resin and felt process is a Step 13 - With right sides together, pin
to the correct side of the right front and difficult one. You may wish to purchase a sleeve to armhole edge of the vest,
stitch the two together along the straight silver trim, instead, and simply sew it to matching the top of the sleeve with the
section with a % to 112 inch, Fold the the yoke.) shoulder. Baste. Then stitch.
right front side up and press with a hot
iron. (Note: Be careful not to melt your Step 7 - Before the resin hardens, sew or Step 14 - Stitch underarm of vest and
vinyl material with an overly hot iron.) glue a stripe of velcro under the front and sleeves, making certain the trims match
back of the yoke. The other half of the up.
Step 4 - Pin zipper to the right and left rear velcro should then be matched to the
panels and sew, leaving a % to Y2 inch lip bottom half of the vest before it is sewn, or Step 15 - Turn 5/8 inch of the cuff's edge
on each side to hide the zipper. (If you are glued, in place. under and hem.
working with snaps and fasteners, hide
them with a slight fold from the right rear Step 8 - Stitch completed back to front at Step 16 - Finish lower edge of vest with a
panel.) the shoulders. 5/8 inch narrow hem.
Step 5 - Ribbing effect-(Ignore this step if Step 9 - Pin wrong sides of sleeve "A" and Step 17 - Apply silver color to the rest of
you are using trim to simulate the ribbing "B" facing outward and stitch along the the vest, rub in completely and buff to the
effect.) Working from the front center straight section with a 1/4 to 1/2 inch appropriate shine.
(rear center, or yoke center) to the corner seam. Fold right sides outward and press
edges, take a nip of material- with hot iron. (Do this for both sleeves.) Step 18 - Pin "skeletal" trim to the back of
approximately 1/4 inches-from the correct the yoke and vest so that it covers any
side, pin in a straight line from the top of Step 10 - Pin silver (1/2 inch) trim to the zipper seams and sew to the yoke only.
the material to the bottom, then carefully correct side of the sleeve and sew. (Do this
for both sleeves.) Step 19 - Sew the three parallel black
sew. The effect is an outstanding one when
trims together, pin to black trousers along
executed properly, and you may find using
Step 11 - Pin wrong sides of the vest front the crease line, and sew. (Do this for both
a ruler a major aide.
with back and sample try-on the vest. If legs.)
Step 6 - Pin felt trim to the outer edges of the shoulders are too big, cut corners
appropriately. If the waist, or chest Step 20 - Add various accoutrements,
the yoke, so that it covers the unfinished
sections are too big, repin the sides and insignias and belt.
material and sew with a straight stitch
completely around the fabric. (Once cut-off excess.
Step 21 - Have fun with your Klingon
completed, rub in the silver color, buff to Duty Uniform.
the appropriate shine, and apply the resin Step 12 - Pin silver (2-3 inch) trim to vest
to the felt, not the vinyl to achieve a stiff, just above the waist and below the chest
finished look.) and sew.
