mwilsen

You could also seal the belt with leather sealer.
 
 

Same here, we got it from the same vendor. 

This is a very helpful thread! My belt bleeds dye like it's giving a dye donation, I'll definitely look into Resolene for treating it. Excellent info!

Hey all,
Ok so here are some results:
I cut two pieces off the belt so I could try both options.

I aplied the Leather Sheen to one piece and the Resolene to the other.

The Leather Sheen goes on shiney, and with ease from the spray can.

The Resolene is aplied with a spunge and you have to be sure to do long swipes and apply it evenly. The end result when applying it leaves a milky color when wet. You are required to use a sponge or spray bottle to apply it.
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So I left the samples to dry for 8 hours. Then I tested them by rubbing them with a paper towel to see how well they stopped the dye from bleeding.
First this is the results of the control or the belt with nothing applied:

This is the results of the Leather Sheen:

Finally this is the results of the Resolene:

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I then tested the waterproofing of the two products by applying a drop of water.
Here is the results on the rough side that will go up against your tunic:

Here are the results on the smooth side that faces outward:

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So in conclusion:
Here are the pros and cons I found for both the Leather Sheen and the Resolene:
LEATHER SHEEN
Pros:
1. Easily applied
2. No applicator required
Cons:
1. More expensive ($14.99)
2. Doesn't stop all dye bleeding
3. Doesn't waterproof as well
RESOLENE
Pros:
1. Cheaper ($7.99)
2. Waterproofs better
3. Stops almost all dye bleeding
Cons:
1. Must purchase seperate applicator
2. Harder to apply and more messy
In conclusion, Resolene seems to be the much better solution to seal leather belts. The finishes seemed to look the same after drying. Resolene waterproofs both the rough and smooth side better. The water droplets never seemed to absorb into the leather on either side and stayed pooled in a droplet. Unfortunatly the sample with the Leather Sheen absorbed the water almost immediately on the rough side. It also stopped almost all traces of dye bleeding after applied. There was still noticeable dye bleeding with the Leather Sheen. I will definatly be using the Resolene for any leather finishing or waterproofing needs.
*Special thanks to Kris for the Resolene suggestion*
I hope this will help anyone in anyway with similar questions or needs. Let me know if you have any questions.
Matt

Continue...
So in conclusion:
Here are the pros and cons I found for both the Leather Sheen and the Resolene:
LEATHER SHEEN
Pros:
1. Easily applied
2. No applicator required
Cons:
1. More expensive ($14.99)
2. Doesn't stop all dye bleeding
3. Doesn't waterproof as well
RESOLENE
Pros:
1. Cheaper ($7.99)
2. Waterproofs better
3. Stops almost all dye bleeding
Cons:
1. Must purchase seperate applicator
2. Harder to apply and more messy
In conclusion, Resolene seems to be the much better solution to seal leather belts. The finishes seemed to look the same after drying. Resolene waterproofs both the rough and smooth side better. The water droplets never seemed to absorb into the leather on either side and stayed pooled in a droplet. Unfortunatly the sample with the Leather Sheen absorbed the water almost immediately on the rough side. It also stopped almost all traces of dye bleeding after applied. There was still noticeable dye bleeding with the Leather Sheen. I will definatly be using the Resolene for any leather finishing or waterproofing needs.
*Special thanks to Kris for the Resolene suggestion*
I hope this will help anyone in anyway with similar questions or needs. Let me know if you have any questions.
Matt

Bailey,
Unfortunately there is a bit of a language barrier when it comes to CPS. They should being doing a seam around the waist anyways. Also, even if they took 2cm out of the flaps, they still will need work. They will probably still need reshaping and stiffening. You would be better off just taking it to be reshaped, or maybe you know how to sew. Noone gets finished flaps straight from CPS, regardless of the instructions givin. Good luck with your build! Let us know if you have any other questions.
Matt 

No problem Matt I shall be here when you are ready

Kris,
I took some clearer pics showing the flaps are the same shape, size, and location. When reshaping them we just folded it over and traced the shape on the other side. I know it wasn't that clear from the original picture, so glad to try to help clear that up.



I hope these help, let me know if you'll need anything else.
 
As far as the collar goes, I can get it to close completly, but I think it could be better. I'm going to visit my seamstress today to experiment with a couple ideas to make it look better. 
 
I look forward to an improved collar, and ill attach some photos when it is complete. Thanks for the inspiration.
Matt

Josh,
My suggestion would be to find an on screen character you like and model your uniform after he/she. That way you'll know what rank to buy. This is also the best way to progress to level 2 and 3. Good luck!
Matt

Don't worry you can make it. Some of these take time, and they should, to be accurate. Be patient,  I just don't want you to mistake someone's passion for stubbornness. Everyone here is volunteering their guidance and help, and many have spent hundreds of hours researching and studying. So anyone willing to take the time to help is a beneficial tool to help you. So try not to get defensive. Everyone has been through the same thing. Good luck on your build, you'll be there soon.
Matt 

Hi Matt, overall a good submission however as this is for Imperator two things stood out that id like to see corrected, the collar in the pics appears to not be closing fully and the flare on the left leg seems higher than the right, If you can take a look at these and get back to us please, still love that rank bar 

Request acknowledged 

Hey thanks buddy

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

Positive way to think. Congratulations on your approval!
Matt

Nick,
Hate to be the person to give you the bad news but the t shirt and the racing shirt were the last two months merch. Racing shirts ended 3 days ago. They will come back around again. You can always check your local garrison or the 501st merch areas, maybe you'll get lucky.
Matt

A tip: Any shoe repair place should be able to punch a hole for you, probably for free, or least a very small cost, as long as you mark exactly where to punch it.  A leather-working supplies store (like Tandy, here in the US) will often also have a tool handy that can do the same.
 
That said, a simple leather punch like the one pictured above can be had for under $10, and is a handy tool to have in your arsenal.
 
Personally, I trimmed to size, and prefer it that way.  I do have a little bit of extra if I gain too much weight, so I could add another hole and let it out more.  But if you leave the end long, what happens is this: On the right side of the buckle, you have ONE layer of leather going under it (the free end, with the hole in it).  On the left side of the buckle, you have THREE layers of leather, because the left side of the belt is already doubled just to loop around the buckle's loop and back to the rivet.  Plus the extra end of the free end.  This forces the buckle to sit at an angle on your front, since the left is pushed out so much further than the right.
 
If you trim the belt to end just before the buckle's loop on the left, you only have 2 layers compared to 1, which doesn't torque the buckle as much.
 
Here's my belt, to illustrate:
 

 
(also do yourself a favor and put velcro between the belt and the inside of the buckle, because the belt pivots very easily on the center peg)
 

 

Peter,
Just food for thought. When making your hole don't make your belt too tight. This will bunch your tunic and give it a sloppy look. Rather make it just tight enough to comfortably go around your tunic without squeezing. You can add velcro on your tunic and the inside of your belt to keep it up and in place. This will look sharp. Have fun!
Matt

Daniel,
Nope that's a great way to do it. I have done this my my belt as well. I have it doubling over itself on the inside and velcroed to itself. That way it can be adjusted out as needed.
Matt

Peter,
Just food for thought. When making your hole don't make your belt too tight. This will bunch your tunic and give it a sloppy look. Rather make it just tight enough to comfortably go around your tunic without squeezing. You can add velcro on your tunic and the inside of your belt to keep it up and in place. This will look sharp. Have fun!
Matt

Yes Patricia, thanks for the clarification. The ANH ISB and the Grand Admiral are not interchangeble. A little confusion since he never distinguished. 
Matt

Nick
My pleasure. Don't hesitate to ask more questions. Its a bit confusing at first but everyone is here to help. 
Good luck
Matt

Nick,
You are well on your way. Boots are the hardest, so it's all down hill from here.
Matt