Halloween Costumes: Star Trek Uniforms the Easy Way

The worlds of Star Trek have always been one of my favorite fictional escapes. I watched all the series faithfully, attended conventions, watched all the movies and read all the books. I was a true Trekkie.

Imagine my delight when my daughter came to me (when she was in second grade) and said 'Mommy, I want to be Dr. Crusher for Halloween!' I was thrilled! My little Trekkie... how adorable she would be. We already had a toy medical tricorder so she had her technical props all lined up.

Luckily, I love to sew, so I knew I could make her a costume. I worried about her wearing it to school though... it had to be tough enough to survive the playground and easily washable as well. And of course it needed to be warm enough to survive a chilly night, because what good was a Star Trek uniform if it was covered up by a jacket.

I studied and studied the uniform of our intrepid Dr. Beverly Crusher...and then I noticed something. The top portion of her uniform looked like someone had taken two shirts, one teal and one black, cut them both apart and sewed the two colors back together. I had my solution... Sweatshirts! They were warm, sturdy, washable and easy to work with. And, the sleeves, collars and hems are already attached!

I went to the fabric store and purchased a pattern for Star Trek Uniforms, so I would know just how to cut them up and sew them back together. I then went and bought her two sweatshirts, one in teal and one in black. I hurried home and washed them. She already had black pants and black shoes, so that part of the costume was done.

I then went over to my mother-in-law's house because she can sew anything, without a pattern and one hand tied behind her back. I knew I could do it myself but it was nice to have her expert help. Besides, she was very intrigued by my idea. We studied the pattern and figured out where to cut the sweatshirts. Don't forget to add in extra for a seam allowance! A half an inch will suffice. We made the cuts, then pieced the black sweatshirt bottom onto the teal midriff, then sewed the pieces together. (Don't forget your basic sewing rules. Turn the garments inside out and sew them with the right sides together.) We then did the same with the shoulder sections. Black shoulders on top of the teal center. We picked the loose threads off of it, turned it back right side out again, and voila, we had a bona fide Dr. Crusher uniform top. She slipped it on with her black pants and was ready to take over sick bay.

We purchased a communications badge at a costume shop and pinned it on her shirt, then sewed some little brass buttons onto the collar for her rank insignia. She was ready for Halloween! The costume was worn many times after that and is now packed in a trunk for her children to wear someday.

Not to be out done, I wanted one for myself! I ran back to the store, bought red and black sweatshirts for myself and went back to my mother-in-law's house. I decided to be Captain Janeway of the Starship Voyager. (Simpler Uniform.) I sliced both sweatshirts off at the shoulder (after carefully studying the pattern) and sewed the black shoulders onto the red body. I then cut the ribbed collar off and made a slit three inches down the front, turning the edges under and slip stitching them down. The sleeves were too long, so I removed the ribbing at the cuff, folded the edge under and again stitched them down to finish them off. I went to Target and bought an inexpensive gray mock turtleneck shirt. I then cut the sleeves off so I wouldn't be too hot...then I put it on, pulled my now modified sweatshirt/uniform on... Instant Starfleet Captain! I sewed the brass buttons on the collar of the turtleneck for my rank insignia and stuck on a uniform communication badge. (I had bought one for myself at the same time I bought my daughter's!) Black pants and boots finished off the costume. I have worn it every year on Halloween and still receive compliments on it.

Any of the Star Fleet Uniforms can be made in this manner. They are comfortable, washable, easy to wear and fun to boot. This year, I am going to get a gold colored sweatshirt and make a Captain Kirk uniform. All I will need from the fabric store is some black knit ribbing to sew around the collar and some gold rick-rack braid for the sleeves. (If you aren't the greatest at sewing, go into the fabric store and ask anyone who works there for the supplies you need. They'll find it for you, and give you advice on sewing it too.) I purchased a Star Fleet command patch (for the chest area of the uniform) at a Star Trek convention, but I also found them easily available on Ebay, at the Intergalactic Trading Company Store. It was labeled "Buy it Now" for $6.99.

Here's hoping your Star Fleet dreams come true with this easy uniform technique. To see the pictures at the top of the page larger, click on the image. May you all Live Long and Prosper.

Sources:

My own Experience.

JoAnn Fabric stores (www.joann.com)

Ebay - Intergalactic Trading Company Store (www.Ebay.com)