Nuqneh. Do you tire of dressing like the Federation p'taks of "Star Trek?" Then bring honor to your house by experiencing the glorious life of an Imperial Klingon warrior in the sartorial style of a true son of Kahless that will make your parmaqai say, "MajQa!" Qapla' batlh je!
Instructions
The Warrior's Sash
1. Measure yourself from the right shoulder to the left hip and back. Add an inch for overlap.
2. Cut a strip of fabric the width of your hand and the length determined in Step 1. Sew the ends together so the sash hangs majestically from your right shoulder.
3. Color the sash with silver or gold acrylic paint if the fabric is not already one of these colors. If gold, add a decorative fringe to the lower side.
4. Let the paint dry. If the sash is fabric, heat-set the paint by putting the sash in a clothes dryer for 10 minutes.
5. Attach decorative pieces to the sash where it rests above your right breast to represent commendations for conduct in glorious battle.
Torso Armor
6. Cut off the outer portion of a black shirt's collar at the crease. If using a minister's shirt, omit this step.
7. Cut a yard-square piece of gray vinyl into inch-wide strips.
8. Double-stitch the strips vertically on the front and back of the shirt, at the torso. Sew a strip over the button holes to cover them, but do not remove or replace the shirt buttons.
9. Tack six-inch metal pieces of panel-reinforcement strips onto the lower edges of the shirt using round-headed upholstery nails. Bend the nails down into the back of the shirt with needle-nosed pliers.
Shoulder Guard
10. Cut a double-thick piece of black cloth into a square shape the width of your shoulders. Remove the corners to produce an octagonal shape.
11. Make a hole in the center for your head (allowing for the headpiece) to fit through.
12. Double-stitch strips of gray vinyl not used for making the torso armor horizontally and at the edges.
13. Color the rim with silver acrylic paint.
14. Attach Velcro strips to the underside of the shoulder guard and the outside of the torso armor shirt where they meet. The shoulder guard also may be sewn to the shirt.
Neckpiece
15. Cut a piece of black vinyl or thick cloth into a square. Cut a large hole in the middle for your head.
16. Orient the piece like a diamond, with points going down your chest and back and across your shoulder blades.
17.Attach vinyl rims to the inside and outside and paint the outer edge silver.
Completing the Warrior's Dress
18. Make or get a ridged headpiece in one of several patterns, depending upon your house.
19. Get a fake black mustache from a costume shop, cut it in half and taper the halves to points with scissors.
20. Replace the buckle in the belt you bought with a square or trapezoidal buckle. Thread the belt through the loops of the belt pouches.
21. Don black or gray pants, your torso armor shirt and shoulder guard, boots and gloves.
22. Affix the headpiece to your forehead with spirit gum and the mustache halves to your upper lip Mongolian-style with double-sided costume tape. Add a wig if your hair is not that of a true Klingon warrior.
23. Drape the sash over yourself and stand proudly as a son of Kahless from the homeworld Qo' noS.
24. Thrust a dagger bearing the symbols of your ancestors who crossed the River of Blood into Sto-Vo-Kor into your belt and wield a bat'leth menacingly.
