As a starting point I used Simplicity costume 3677 and used the pattern as a guide. The sleeves were completely changed and straightened and also made longer. I added snaps all down the sleeve and added the cords on the sleeves by taking some stitch witchery and just securing the cords that way. I originally screwed up the sleeves completely as well as the collar, so it definitely took more time than what I had planned. The overall effect was perfect.

The back portion was trickier since I wasn’t able to go off a pattern. I used the pattern for a guideline to stay within and worked with in it to gather the fabric accordingly so I wouldn’t end up with a jacket that didn’t look like a bundle of cloth.

For the snaps up the front I staggered them but kept they close together up toward the top. The finally touch was reinforcing the stitches with a zigzag all the way up all the seams just to give it an extra touch. The pockets were my first time making pockets that were lined and reinforced and even though it was a little time consuming, they ended up very sturdy.

The rest of the costume was just from my closet. I bought my shirt off EvieTees on Etsy and added a vest from my closet and some cut off black pants. Add some ripped nylons and boots and I was good to go. Since I wore this to the final movie screening, I added some stage blood and bruises like I had been in a battle. It’s extremely comfortable and easy to wear!

Unfortunately due to getting sick while I was at Leaky I didn’t actually wear the jacket too much. However, I hope to wear it again in the future.

Next up: Tonks purple jacket!

Stay tuned and keep those needles clicking!

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Or on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/groups/leavethescar/

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**I now return you to your normal, not so nerdy craft blog**

The Deathly Hallows bag is just knit from black yard with some contrasting color (green this time) and lined with black as well. I think the bag took two attempts to get right but it ended up not being as complicated as I thought.

For those who don’t know, the Deathly Hallows is the last Harry Potter book and they are an unbeatable wand, a cloak of invisibility and the resurrection stone (from a wizarding fairy tale) and the symbol on the bag is the symbol. I’d go more in depth but I’d risk turning into a super nerd so I’ll just stop.

It’s a little shorter than the others ones and a bit wider but overall it works out great! Check out the picture below and let me know what you guys think!

Keep those needles clicking!

On that note, I finished my dress for Leaky Con 2011 this summer! When I say it’s done, I still have to do edging and make an petticoat out of tulle but those are minor details that won’t really matter until the final product so I consider this outfit done. I used Simplicity Pattern 2757 and it’s an amazing pattern (the dress comes in 3 lengths and you can even just make the bodice) and is pretty easy to follow. I found my fabric at JoAnn’s in the tapestry section. I was a bit wary at first but I only needed 2 or 3 yards so it would worth it to spend a bit more on the fabric and it made it so it lays just lovely.

I chose a brown (my hair is going to be pink and I’ve got loads of black going on already) for the dress and then bought some purple zebra print fabric for the lining and the contrasting color on the front. This is the first costume that I had to make it fit just right so that it was tailored to my body (it was a really good learning experience) but the lace up bodice on the front really helped make it so it wasn’t an exact science. I got plain brown cord from JoAnn’s too and it called for 4 yards but I could have done with much, much less but better have too much than not enough. There is some trim along the contrast on the front that I just bought in a pre-cut spool that was just enough to finish that part too. I think in all the materials cost $35 with using coupons and everything. I also learned how to put eyelets on! Much easier than I thought it’d be  but definitely learned what to and not to do.

Check out the pictures below. Ignore the jeans too, I was lazy and just slipped the dress on over a tank top.

Next up: well, 2 sets of Hogwarts robes, two more jackets, a bodice, several bags and much much more. Have I mentioned I’m slightly overwhelmed?

Keep those needles clicking!

It’s been a while, I apologize for the lack of updates. I have been busy working on knitting a Hogwarts sweater (updates to come on that) but mostly I am planning for my big summer adventure to Universal Orlando in July for LeakyCon, a huge Harry Potter con that will be taking the week that last movie comes out. It’s going to be a huge weekend and a blast but I have been full of ideas lately so I decided I need to get started (it’s only 6 months away after all…).

So traditionally I always go as Tonks but I’m decided I think I usually don’t try too hard. So this year will be different! There are theoretically 4 days that I will actually be at the Con. Wed to Sat (my flight leaves early Sunday). They have a rough schedule set up and there are a few events that I’m working around but hopefully not much else changes because right now it’s perfect! My biggest thing is that Tonks will have SHORT PINK HAIR! That’s how she’s written and the movie version from the head up drives me nutters!

Wed – The Con starts at 6 pm (ish) and my friend and I are going as Fred and George Weasley! This is going to be a HUGE departure from what I normally do but we look creepily alike and I figured we’ll make it work…somehow. We’re doing  a basic twins in matching polos and cords. Not too special, but we’re saving the best for the park night that night (hopefully!).

Park night – It’s tentative so I hope it doesn’t change otherwise the whole plan will need to be redone! Since we’re visiting Hogsmeade, we figured Fred and George could pay a visit to the Joke Shop but we’re going to be “dapper” Fred and George (possibly complete with missing ear…and yes there will be stage blood). We also want to make fake Skiving Snackboxes and a few “products” just for fun. We’re thinking of going sans-coat and just button ups shirts with vests and some nice slacks.

Thursday: Tonks the Hufflepuff! I don’t actually have Hufflepuff robes and I have always meant to make them complete with lining and everything so that is what I am going to do! I am also going to knit the sweater. I’m also going to be reusing the boots for the other costumes, so that will simplify things.

Movie: Theoretically, the screening should be that night, so yay! I had an idea to do battle Tonks, basically from the final battle. I dunno what exactly it’ll entail, but most likely some crazy patched jeans, maybe a Weird Sisters shirt and either robes or just that. This one still needs work. The most important part will be the cuts, burns and battle wounds!

Friday: Ministry Tonks. It’s going to be similar to some pictures I found that might just be from the end of DH. Not really sure. But there will be a long jacket (in some cool material that looks like snake skin), some pants with vertical stripes and some sort of tanktop with a light silky part to it. Again, still work in progress.

Saturday: not entirely sure. I really wanted to do Quidditch robes but the idea is too much with everything else I have going on. I’m trying to save money too so I’m trying to not go nuts (and having a hard time not doing it). I’m considering doing Punk!Tonks and just going nuts. This day is also a toss up but that might not be awful in case things get shuffled.

Ball: I do know exactly what I want to do for the ball! I found this lovely Simplicity Pattern 2757 and will probably do the middle one. It seems just right in length and can funky it up if I want too. I’d love to do something crazy like black and white stripes but I’ll have to see what I can find. I think the pattern is awesome because it will be easy to make! That’s a thought isn’t it?!

I’ve got some big issues to deal with, mainly finding a ginger color that can be overcome by pink without looking ridiculous. I’m also hoping to make tons and tons of props and things to play with. So that is what I am working on! I’ll keep you posted as I have updates. For now you can check the reference pictures if you’d like and keep those needles clicking!

*Please note I do not own any of these characters, I am just a HUGE fan!

So I got an idea for making safety pin bracelets through a group at school that was making them for a fundraiser and wanted to make some myself! Basically take seed beads, put them on safety pins, find elastic to put through the middle and sew it together. I didn’t actually count how many pins it took by it’s around 75 I think. It’s actually really comfortable too!

Christmas is coming and I’ve got a bunch of patterns I’m working on too! Look for them in 2011!

Okay, I haven’t really updated step-by-step but this has been the most exhausting project I’ve embarked on. I think the closest was doing Link a few years back and making the shield and sword. However, this entire costume had so many pieces and details that it was such a challenge and I loved every piece.

All together there was: the hat, the jacket, the shirt, the vest, the pants, wig, socks, bow tie, thread arsenal and shoes.

I guess I’ll start at the top: the all important Mad Hatter Hat. I got the technique from an online tutorial at Thread Bangers and created it from poster board and foam core covered with material and lace. The lace was a must for texture. I then spray painted it with black, splotches of green and a little bit of gold. The tutorial was easy to follow and I added my own little things. I found the peacock feather at Jo Ann’s and I bought the hat pins. In my mind I wouldn’t trust myself to make the hat pins and these were so fun and funky. I made the sash out of some silky fabric and added the size card that I made out of resume paper and wrote the size on. It doesn’t sound like too much, but I feel like I’ve been working with this hat forever!

Next: the jacket. This is my first jacket and it was incredibly threatening, especially since I decided to alter the pattern. I chose this one from Simplicity and found some kind of fake suede and light purple for the lining. I got the entire jacket done (even adding pockets) and my Mom said “It needs something…it’s too plain.” So, three days before Halloween, I went to Jo Ann’s and found some lovely ribbon to add details to the edging and the cuffs (as you can see in the pictures). It added something to it, I don’t know what but it finished the look. I then stitched in some random ribbon into the pocket and found and old pink bandanna and stuffed that in the other pocket. I add a button, but never actually made a hole for it…I didn’t really think it needed it. I’ve very happy with how it turned out and will probably use the pattern again (perhaps for a Tonks coat).

The shirt: I got very lucky and found a pink shirt at Goodwill. This was easy, I stitched the cuffs together and shortened them and stitched lace onto the cuffs. Simple, easy, done! The vest came from my closet, something I got on clearance months back and it works. The shoes were also from Goodwill and I thought of bleaching them because they are too dark, but I think it all works. The socks I found at Kohl’s and Target. Finding orange socks around Halloween is easy and the striped ones were ones I just stumbled across.

The wig: this gave me a little trouble. I bought the “actually Mad Hatter Wig” which means it was insanely big with way too much hair. The hat was actually too small at one point. My Mom and I cut some pretty big chunks out of the wig and brought it down quite a bit. It looks much smaller (which is a good thing). I think I would have bought a cheaper wig but it still works.

Thread arsenal: this part had me at a loss. I didn’t want to buy like 20 different spools of thread and do all this work so I went to Jo Ann’s and they had a lovely little kit of 24 spools of thread. They worked perfectly! I took the tutorial from the site above and it is extremely easy to wear.

Bow tie – how could I forget this part!? I couldn’t decide on buying fabric or dying it and I went with dye. I don’t love it but it serves it’s purpose. I used Tulip dyes on white fabric and it’s okay, just a little too stiff for my taste.

I haven’t completely done the makeup yet but that’s for another time. Below are pictures of the look step by step, but there will be more to come after this weekend!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN (give those needles and sewing machines a rest!)!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe it’s because I’m growing up, moving on to my first big kid job and trying to plan out when I’ll finally move out and away from Michigan, but I’m feeling more and more like next summer, with the release of the Deathly Hallows movie will some how signify the end of my childhood. It’s ridiculous (technically my childhood ended when I graduated high school) but it feels like now something I have been a fan of for so long will, officially, be done.

It makes me sad, truly and deeply sad. I mean I have been reading the books since I was 13 and they took me through some of the hardest moments of my life and brought me some of the best friends I could have ever asked for.  It helped me find myself, figure out who I was an gave me one of my greatest loves, costuming

I feel silly, sitting here at 24 years old speaking so fondly of a series of movies/books but it’s all true. I grew up with these books and the movies only brought things closer to life. This summer in Florida I met more amazing people than I thought possible. It just kills me to think that it could all be coming to an end.

I guess I just wanted to get out there how much it all means to me. I kept getting chills and feeling anxious, but excited. It’s such a jumble of mixed emotions!

That’s all, take a chance to watch the trailer if you’d like. The Leaky Cauldron has the trailers over here.

The decision was made that I will be the Mad Hatter and I have so far tackled the hat. The fabrics for the jacket have also been bought however my sewing machine died…well, decided to suck and no longer stitch correctly. It’s currently in the shop getting tuned up.

So the hat construction I got inspired by going to Thread Bangers and taking a look at the tutorial they posted. Overall really easy (stretching the base fabric was a pain) and I also layered with lace (which I just pieced together from scraps). I just finished the first round of spray painting and it still looks a little off but hopefully I can fix it!

So here are some pictures of the current progress…I didn’t take as many as I should have probably but here’s what I got. Hopefully I get my machine back soon to I get this going!

Keep those needles clicking!

I thought I knew what I wanted to do but I’ve changed my mind. This one I’m keeping under wraps…because I don’t even know what the end game is going to be. So let’s just say for now it’s a surprise.

I’ll be showing you finished products of the bags very soon (promise!)!!

Back to the drawing board….