Play is the mother of invention.

Yesterday at the Star Trek con, I asked some fans how they made their costumes.
"Shana" (below, from the episode "Gamesters of Triskelion") made the discs on her collar by cutting up flip-flops:

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"Mara" (below, with Kang, from "Day of the Dove") made the fabric of the TOS Klingon's arms & legs by crocheting black and gold yarns and lining them with shimmery fabrics.

"I'm never using this see-through gold fabric again," she said. "I had no idea how hard it would be to work with."

"Well, you two look perfect," I said. "Thanks for dressing up--it's a gift to us all."
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One day I want to make a costume to wear too.

This time I just wore the gold felt Star Trek pin Art Sparker made me in 2009 to wear to the Las Vegas con.