Hoda

Oh ha, I mean that wasn't the "easiest" part. The "easiest" part is the parts I already have! Hat and gloves.

I started w/ the pouches. This was the "easy" part of the build. I got these handcuff pouches similar to the one in the CRL, and added a snap to the front. I then got this gas mask pouch for the back, removed the strap in the front, and added the two snaps per the CRL. Not in these photos, but I also stuffed them with foam to make them look puffy.

Now that I am done w/ the IAT build, I decided to take a crack at the Engineer, as well! Parts List - Hat: from my staff officer Goggles: Welding goggle from Amazon similar to the style in the parts list Coverall: I couldn't find Natural Workwear or Dickies in my size that would get to me easily, so I went with two pairs of Red Kaps (one to be sacrificed for parts) Imperial Army Patch: Had extras from the IAT build Gloves: Had a pair somewhere Web Harness: Going to follow instructions from the parts thread and make my own with parts from Strapworks Belt: Got them off Amazon this time. Same belt as IAT but black. Pouches: Same. Will add snaps to the pouches (and look for pouches with no visible zippers/cords this time around per feedback from IAT Specialist) Boots: eBay (got a pair of Commuter III boots this time)

Update. I'm approved! TX-77520 reporting! Will submit for Specialist after I've made the tweak to the straps some more. Should be in the next week or two. Woohoo! Thank you all for the help and encouragement along the way!

You read my mind! I already have velcro there but maybe it's not far back enough. In person it looks good, but some angles don't look so great. I'll sew on a piece of hook/snap.

And now ... the moment of truth!! Test fit!!! What do you all think?

Last but not least, I received the helmet from Jason! He also included the goggle to be used, which is great.

Now the collar is done, I got to work on attaching the Imperial Army patches. I estimated around 1 inch off the shoulder seam and sewed away. (Oh yes, I also closed the gap in the shoulder that happened when I removed the epaulets.) I also hemmed the pant legs - this jumpsuit came unhemmed, so had to shorten it a bit. And now, it's done!

Ho ho ho! I got my sewing machine squared away today in between work calls, and go to sewing! First I did the collar. I took @Blackwatch's advice and folded in the collar to the same height as the collar/epaulet, and sewed I then took the epaulet and sewed it to the collar. Don't look too close at the sewing job. My home ec teacher would not have been happy with what's going on here. Picture is reversed but ... voila! To make it stick better, I sewed on some hook/loop to the collar / chevron

Ah yes, two more things tonight, before I forget. Added a snap onto the epaulet / collar Gloves - I had mentioned I might take another pair of gloves and try painting it green. I found this pair of gloves cheap so decided to experiment with it. What do you think? These ones came with the stitching on the back. I know the paint job on the gloves wasn't the best, I think partly due to the material of the gloves.

Thank you both! These boots took forever to get here but totally worth the wait. I also got lucky with this bottle of the Montana - last can I had kept dripping everywhere. Hopefully more update soon! (Also - congrats on the Specialist, @Kessel! I have been following your threads there as well. Hopefully I can join you one of these days )

Ugh, sewing machine out of commission. Going to have to go about fixing it this weekend. In the meantime, I did a few things! Removed the epaulets, which created a little gap that I will need to sew up, but has created the collar I am going to use for the tab I took advantage of the lower temperature in Texas today to do some painting as well! I might hit it with another coat tomorrow morning, but right now it looks good in person!

Ah ha! Actually, I think these two posts are what I was thinking about https://forum.specops501st.com/topic/5519-biscuits-imperial-army-officer-approved/

@BlackwatchI could've sworn I read somewhere where you had an "easy collar conversion" for the transcon suits. Am I imagining things?

Went silent on this WIP post for a bit because ... well, the pandemic! The Elbeco suit got here today! Shipping of items have been crazy. I just received the pouches I ordered way back in June. Boots I ordered back then finally made its way here from Poland as well (looks like I'll be getting them on Monday/Tuesday). Helmet should arrive from Jason @ Intergalactic in the next week or so. So, time to get back on this build! Going to spend some time tomorrow converting the collar to a chevron collar.

Thank you sir! Hopefully the world gets back to normal in a bit and then I would love to do some troops w BAG! The tips on the harness, pant legs, and belt are great - I was already monitoring the CRL updates so that's a good reminder. I saw your Specialist thread and the gloves you used, I suspected that's how you added the lines as much ?. I might just get one of these other gloves and paint them green, I will come back and share with the group any findings.

Let's talk gloves for a second - I got the above pair like I mentioned, from eBay. Looking at Specialists that have cleared and the CRL for level 2, it looks like there is a requirement for stitching on the glove. I can of course, sew lines in, but then I started asking myself, maybe there are more appropriate gloves out there I can just dye green with the Montana Gold Olive Green paint I have secured? I try to avoid sewing where possible, you see (will have to modify the coverall once I receive it later I guess ...) What do you think of these other gloves? Maybe what we should be looking for are "driving gloves"? Is this "wrist-length"? https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mens-Genuine-Green-Leather-Unlined-Gloves/223490946504 These driving gloves look pretty great to me: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mens-Premium-Lambskin-Leather-Warm-Cashmere-Winter-Driving-Dress-Gloves/233580320051 Or these? https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mens-genuine-Oxblood-leather-Unlined-driving-gloves-with-snaps/222561988654 Too much of a gauntlet? They look like green officer gauntlet gloves https://www.ebay.com/itm/LARP-LONG-ARM-LEATHER-GLOVES-FOR-MEN/124187560232 Maybe? Will need to look into sizing https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-VECCI-LADIES-OLIVE-GREEN-NAPPA-LEATHER-GLOVES-SIZE-MEDIUM-LARGE-LINED/233497467460 These fancy gloves with the straps removed? https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Cole-Haan-Olive-Green-Leather-Gloves-Size-Medium/324162545697 @Blackwatchand others - would love your thoughts on the above!

Took the straps from Strapwork and did a quick sewing job. I added the hooks and triglides, though looking at the CRL for level 2, am guessing I actually didn't need the hooks for the back (can just loop around the belt and secure w/ triglides).

Photos time! Jackboots (for approval, not for level 2): Goggle (from AT-ST driver): Patches: Hat:

Parts List - Helmet: Reached out to Jason at Intergalactic Supply for a helmet Hat: CosplaySky officer hat Goggles: Using the goggles from my AT-ST Driver Flightsuit: Elbeco Transcon (LA Police Gear did not have my size, ended getting one from here. Hopefully it fits Imperial Army Patch: From WTF a while back Olive Gloves: I got a pair of the French army gloves from eBay Web Harness: Going to follow instructions from the parts thread and make my own with parts from Strapworks Belt: eBay - followed the parts thread Pouches: eBay - followed the parts thread Boots: Got a pair of the Denver Hayes Men's Midland Side Zip Winter Boot from eBay (these were hard to track down). For level 1 clearance, will use Tie Pilot jackboots

I've had the Imperial Army Trooper bookmarked for a while as one of my next builds. Comfortable, unique - why the heck not? I love how detailed this "purchase list" has been. Huge kudos to the team - you don't see this level of detail with all costumes. Amazing stuff! The goal is to of course, build to Specialist. I do think I can reuse some of my exiting items and get level 1 approved (e.g. officer hat, jackboots). I will update the following posts with items I am collecting along the way and any questions I might have.