To mark Star Trek’s 50th anniversary in 2016, Make: highlighted seven fan-made projects that brought the franchise into the real world—from a modular Enterprise bridge to a gingerbread starship. The collection spans model building, costume design, crochet, knitting, baking and holiday decoration. Here are the projects and the details that make each one distinctive.
Builds and models
1. A modular Enterprise bridge playset
Instructables user D_Weiberg designed a detailed, modular bridge playset for his son, starting with the child’s cardboard play pieces and old Star Trek figures. As he told Make:, “This project started when I found my old Star Trek TOS playmates figures. I gave them to my eight year old son who had become a fan of the old show. He began building simple cardboard play pieces. Inspired by the clean wooden design of some of his other toys I set out to design and create a modular play set that he could use to assemble various rooms aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise.”
2. A Galileo shuttle model
Make: contributor Roger Garrett built a Galileo shuttle from scratch. His process began with research into photographs and diagrams, followed by CAD work and engineering drawings. He then fabricated parts using a laser cutter and CNC router at a local makerspace. The result contrasts with the playset: a model shaped by reference research and digital fabrication rather than a room-by-room play environment.
Wearable Star Trek crafts
3. Victorian-style Star Trek uniforms
Cosplay artist Genovefa imagined a Star Trek crew in Victorian-style uniforms, as if they were aboard a wooden ship navigating by the stars. The concept shifts the familiar spacefaring setting into a historical visual style.
#1 Best Overall
- Brand new plastic model kit of U.S.S. Enterprise Four Ship Set "Star Trek" (Skill 2) 1/2500 scale plastic model kit by AMT.
- Assembled dimensions approximately L-3.5-7.25 inches long.
- Includes NX-01 Enterprise, USS Enterprise NCC-1701, USS Enterprise NCC-1701-A, and USS Enterprise NCC-1701-B.
4. Crocheted Spock ears
Croshame shared a crochet pattern for Vulcan-inspired ears. Make: described the pattern as one that “works up in under a half hour”; that is the source’s estimate, not an independently verified project time. The source does not specify a required yarn fiber, weight, quantity or brand.
5. “Spocks” socks
Ravelry user gurmanfravor contributed knitted socks featuring a portrait of Spock. The project turns the character into a wearable portrait rather than a costume piece.
Rank #2
- Brand new box. Colorful decal artwork. Vintage style packaging. Officially licensed product. Contains 58 detailed parts. Includes stand and metal support rod. Injected in translucent and clear plastic. Paint and cement required (not included). Manufacturer's original unopened packaging. Parts molded in GRAY, unless otherwise indicated. Assembled dimensions approximately L-19 inches long.
Food and holiday decor
6. A gingerbread USS Enterprise
Blackmarket Bakery made a gingerbread version of the USS Enterprise, translating the recognizable starship into an edible seasonal creation.
7. The Wreath of Khan
Annie Shapiro’s holiday decoration combines a wreath with Ricardo Montalbán’s performance as Khan in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. It is a festive, character-centered take on the franchise.
Rank #3
- Plastic Model Kit, Assembly required
- Accurate Scale Model
- Model Kit
- Detailed Instructions Provided
About the roundup
Andrew Salomone’s Make: article appeared on September 8, 2016, marking the 50th anniversary of Star Trek’s first television broadcast. It was a fan-creativity roundup, not a list of charitable projects or programs to maintain the franchise. The article identifies its projects and makers, but does not establish whether every linked pattern, plan or maker page remains available today, or what permissions apply to them.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- ICONIC USS VOYAGER STARSHIP - Build the legendary USS Voyager NCC-74656, the advanced Intrepid-class starship from Star Trek: Voyager—perfect for fans and collectors.
- COMPLETE STARTER KIT – BUILD RIGHT AWAY - Includes paints, glue, and a brush, so you can start building immediately—ideal for beginners and hobbyists.
- DETAILED STARSHIP DESIGN - Precision-molded parts capture Voyager’s sleek hull, variable geometry nacelles, and distinctive profile for an authentic sci-fi build.
- SKILL LEVEL 3 – FUN & REWARDING - Designed for beginner to intermediate builders, offering an enjoyable and approachable model-building experience for ages 10+.
- DISPLAY-WORTHY & PERFECT GIFT - Creates an impressive display model and makes a great gift for Star Trek fans, sci-fi enthusiasts, and model builders.
Rank #4
- Build the Iconic U.S.S. Enterprise: Assemble the famous starship from STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES in 1 of 3 ways: 1st pilot, 2nd pilot, or the production version, perfect for dedicated fans and modelers.
- Authentic Detailing: Parts are injected in the original gray color used in the filming miniature, with clear parts ideal for lighting, ensuring a highly accurate and detailed model.
- Bonus Botany Bay Spaceship: Includes Khan’s Botany Bay spaceship from the episode "Space Seed," adding an extra element of nostalgia and value to your collection.
- Easy Snap-Together Assembly: This 1:1000 scale model features 73 parts that snap together easily, making glue unnecessary and offering a straightforward, enjoyable building experience.
- Complete Display Package: Comes with a dome base with metal rod support and a water-slide decal sheet with all ship markings and identification registries. Finished model measures 11 inches long, suitable for ages 10+.
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