Ewoks Return to the Redwoods Thanks to the Ewok Builders Club

A prop Ewok begins as a skeletal frame made of PVC pipe, armature wire, and wood bases, Amy says. “From there we build undersuits that give the body dimension, using foam and rubber cement,” she says. “The next steps are where the Ewoks really begin to get some character.”

Faux fur is sewn into a form-fitting suit and attached, and then hands made from work gloves, faux fur, and nails formed with Sculpey Clay are attached.

“Finally, the face itself is worked over a styrofoam head and a Halloween mask,” Amy explains. “Foam is added to the mask to provide in areas that need contouring, such as the cheeks and chin. Eyes are caps that are spray painted black.”

Accessories and adornments help the Ewok’s personality come through. “This is where people can get really creative: Necklaces made out of beads and leather cording, arrows fashioned from twigs and feathers, staffs made from branches and found objects, eye patches made from faux leather, nets adorned with shells,” she says.

“Once most builders complete the accessories, they have already started to think of what kind of Ewok they have made. Sometimes the occupation or accessory lends itself to the name that people give their Ewok.”

On the group’s page, you can catch of glimpses of Ewoks named Ude, Turrik, Garrish, Lotor, and more, all lovingly made by hand and hot glue.

Each Ewok takes about 100 hours of work from start to finish, Amy estimates. Each builder faces their own personal challenges during crafting, whether it’s the sewing or perfecting the details on an Ewok’s face, but that’s what the club’s close-knit community is for.

“That is the great thing about working together with a group,” she says. “Everyone has their own strengths and can help others.”

As the Ewok Builders Club welcomes more members to the tribe, Amy hopes Star Wars fans around the world will catch the building bug as well. “We would love to see more people making Ewoks outside of the Pacific Northwest,” she says. “Perhaps we could one day have a display or a large photo shoot with them at a Star Wars Celebration.”

If you’re near the Seattle area, you can meet the ferociously furry creations at conventions and events when they team up with the 501^st Legion. And don’t worry, they won’t try to cook you. Probably.

Kelly Knox is a freelance writer who loves creating crafts with her daughter. Follow her on Twitter at @kelly_knox, and take a look at her blog the st{art} button for more Star Wars art projects and craft ideas.