Tell us about your projects here...

[Winyaél Greenleaf]

Have you designed or created a costume or accessory related to LotR or similar stuff? Feel free to show off and discuss here!

This thread is for general discussions and comments about props and methods required for making general lotr costumes. You can also post images of your creations. Tho if you're thinking of starting an individual project and would like to keep people informed about your progress, please feel free to start a new thread.

[HobbitFriend]

Well, i'm planning on making a costume for a RotK premiere party that i'm going to be going to. So, i'll post a pic when i finish it :) This site is very good for LotR costume ideas! You can check it out here: http://www.alleycatscratch.com/lotr/ :) Many costumes people have already made, plus a lot of their own ideas and pattern suggestions! :thumbs:

[Winyaél Greenleaf]

That's great! :thumbs: Lucky you! :grin:
Just start a new thread when you;re ready to post it up ;)
I like the website too. Used it quite often for my reference lol

[Frodo's Love]

Yes, that's a wonderful website!
I'm also planning to create a costume for RotK- we're planning a German Meet and I guess there are some more LotR-geeks around then! ;) Of course I'll represent a hobbit then :grin:

BTW: congrats on your new forum, Win! :thumbs: :)

[Winyaél Greenleaf]

Heehee thanks :thumbs:
Don't forget to take lots of photos and share 'em in this section! lol

[Frodo's Love]

I will! :grin: But I really hope I will succeed in creating and sewing a nice costume. *wipes sweat from forehead* hehe ;)

[HobbitFriend]

haha yah, i've never actually made an entire outfit before! I've done small things, such as beenie babies, stuffed animals, etc, but never actually clothes.... My mom has though, so she said she'll help me ;) I just need to find the right fabric now! :)

[Bonos-Girl]

i never made beanie babies or anything but i used to help my mum make clothes when i was younger. they lookes awful...well...from what i can remember...i vaguely recall some trousers mae out of william morris cutain material that was left over.....hmm....

[HobbitFriend]

lol and then you wore them to school to show them off... "Hey, look what i made!" lol just kidding ;) Nope, never made clothes before... wish me luck!!! haha i'll need it ;)

[Elfdaughter]

Just remember to be careful with measurements!! I ALWAYS get them wrong!

[Hobbit]

Good luck to everyone making a costume.
I don't think I'll ever be able to make a costume myself (I'm way to clumsy for that) But I'm thinking about making some accesories..

[Frodo's Love]

Which ones, Hobster? :grin:

[Hobbit]

I wanted to make Legolas' bow but that is gonna be a bit difficult. Maybe a bit too difficult lol
Now I'm thinking about a lot of things, but I'm still waiting for a golden idea lol
But FL, what is a german meet?

[Frodo's Love]

Originally posted by Hobbit
But FL, what is a german meet? Sorry, I didn't check this thread for quite a while... :blush:

"German Meet" simply means that there is a group of people who wants to meet in Southern Germany for the RotK premiere. We're planning this on another forum. :) And perhaps we will make up some costumes for that. And then I would like to be a hobbit, of course. ;)

A hobbit pipe! Great idea! :thumbs:

And how's it going with your Horn, Yayster? I'm sure it will look stunning. Don't worry, btw. Your explanations sound very clearly, and not confusing. :)

[Hobbit]

Hehe, cool idea FL, a hobbit costume.... :thumbs:
I think I might get to work with that pipe soon... lol
YayB, I'm sure your horn will be one worthy of Boromir :grin:

[YayBoromir!]

I would make a costume if I knew anything about making costumes! hehe. I think it would be quite fun to make one - I think my limits stretch just to the Horn, though.
Thanks for the encouragement guys - I can't wait to get those photos up! :grin:

[Winyaél Greenleaf]

There are a couple of nice sites to teach you how to make costumes. Maybe I might post up the links here soon ;)

[Hobbit]

Please do so.... though I'm not much of a tailor, I might just give it a shot ;)
Hehe, but I'm gonna try YayB's pipe idea first and then I'll try if I can make a cool plastic barrowblade (I've been wanting to make a barrowblade very long, but I'm afraid it'll never work lol)

[Cuiel Rilwen]

:whoohoo: :whoohoo: :wiggle: :wave: I just got back from a work- trip to the south- western part of Norway, visiting a furniture manufactorer, and they gave me 5 m of deep red velvet, of which I'm gonna make a M.E. dress for the RotK premiere...all free of charge! (Bribing me ofcourse..) I'm aiming for long, trailing sleeves and open sides, with a contrasting under- dress...and my vacation starts next week, so I'll prob start sewing then! :whoohoo:

[Bonos-Girl]

wow! 5m of deep red velevt....i love velvet so much!!

[Hobbit]

Wow, very cool Cuiel. :thumbs:
5 m of deep red velvet! :o That's a kingly gift! :o

[Winyaél Greenleaf]

Cool! You've got to show us the dress!

[HobbitFriend]

ooo that's going to be gorgeous! you'll have to post pictures! :)
I'm going to be getting my fabric this weekend hopefully :stomper:

[YayBoromir!]

Sounds great Cuiel! I can't wait to see it! You must have talent to even attempt such a task! :thumbs: :o

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Sure I'll post piccies...promised to send piccies to the manufactorer as well...only have to get some fabric for the underdress before I start sewing!

I'm brought up in a family where I, my sister and my parents lived in the same house as my grandmother and great grandmother, and all women loved sewing...so I learned from them. I've also taken a one- year education to learn it...it's great fun and not as dificoult as it seems. I any of you really want to make a dress, I have REAL simple patterns which easily can be altered to size, and I wouldn't mind helping if I can!

I was wondering if any of you guys could give me some suggestions about this underdress...I want it to be contrasting, but not like two oposite colours...the red Arwen- dress is wonderful with the dark blue and red...a dark aubergine would look good as well...my mind isn't really made up yet. I'm a fair skinned, frecklefaced scandinavian, brunette with greenish brown eyes, don't look good in pastels or other pale colours, especially not the cooler ones. If I have to go for a natural colour I could do some swirling embroidery around the neckline I guess, to liven it up a bit. Either way I want the neckline to be higher cut, so it shows...and the fabric should be thinner, but still one that falls good...perhaps raw silk...with long, narrow sleeves underneath the trailing sleeves on the overdress. Wish I had a scanner, cuz I drew a piccie...but mine's broke.

Does any of you know of a site where I can buy celtic belts or jewelery? Ofcourse the LotR ones are incredibly beautiful, but I can't afford to adorn myself only with those...if any! I would so much like a belt all made of bronze or patinated silver, but will settle for a buckle if it's beyond my means!

[Bonos-Girl]

you can get celtic jewellry at http://www.celticmagic.co.uk i dunno where you can get a belt from.

[Winyaél Greenleaf]

Ooh that's a great website. Well done BG! :thumbs:

[Bonos-Girl]

lol thanks.....i spent an entire day looking at kinda wiccan-y websites a few weeks back as i want to get back into it....its amazing the amount of sites that have sprung up over the past few years since i last looked.....it took ages to look at the entirety of that site though cos the pictures took ages to load...my web connection was having an off day!

[HobbitFriend]

Originally posted by Cuiel Rilwen
Sure I'll post piccies...promised to send piccies to the manufactorer as well...only have to get some fabric for the underdress before I start sewing!
If any of you really want to make a dress, I have REAL simple patterns which easily can be altered to size, and I wouldn't mind helping if I can!
I've never really done any real sewing before (like clothes and stuff... i've just sewn small things), and this summer i want to try making a dress for The RotK Gathering in Toronto. I would definately appreciate any help i can get :grin:
And you may want to post a thread on the progress of your own dress and with any sewing tips you may have ;)

[Cuiel Rilwen]

That's a good idea...I'll do that when I've started sewing! Meanwhile I'll post some addies in that other thread, which I found on my hunt for inspiration! How can I show piccies I don't have addies for...send it to a mod perhaps? Maybe you other guys will find that useful as well.

If you need help deciding on a design, fabric or whatever, sewing tips or understanding patterns, you can PM me, or perhaps we can start a thread on that, I'd be happy to help in any which way I can, so just hollar!

[Bonos-Girl]

it would be cool to start a thread on stuff like that....even if people didnt necessarily need to know it would still be interesting.

[Cuiel Rilwen]

I guess it would have to be a thread to ask for help, not a place flooded with tips nobody had asked for, huh? Kind of like in the language forums...I'l just go ahead and do it...we'll soon see if its needed!

[Winyaél Greenleaf]

Originally posted by Cuiel Rilwen
How can I show piccies I don't have addies for...send it to a mod perhaps? Maybe you other guys will find that useful as well.


Originally posted by Winyaél Greenleaf
If you want to share a photo and you haven't got it uploaded on the web, just email it to me and I can upload it in my album in the photo forums and post the image directly in your thread.

That's right, just email them to me, and I'll get them up for you! My email addy's adelenath86@yahoo.com.sg

Oh and it was a good idea to post that thread for sewing tips and stuff, cos' this thread is just for general discussion. :thumbs:

[Cuiel Rilwen]

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GD support enabled; but not installed on your server.
Please contact System Administrator.

Suddenly I'm getting the above message when trying to go to the Photo- forum...havne't gotten it before! So I might have to send you the piccies...dunno what GD support is? Have I had it before? I feel stupid.

[Winyaél Greenleaf]

Oh it's a database error. The technicians are working on it now. Illu says it should be up and about in a few minutes.

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Phew...good then...I'll try uploading my piccies there, so I don't have to clutter yours:grin:

[Aranethiel]

I like the idea of the thread to ask for help from. There are a lot of folks who really want LOTR costumes and have never sewn before. It would be nice to be able to save them from some of the terrible mistakes that can happen. HINT #1 always cut a neck line a whole lot smaller than you think you will need. LOL

[Nilion Elentano]

I will post some of my work on the photo section, most of them are on a link on my profile, but will post them here for easy acess anyway.

[Aranethiel]

Wow, Nilion. I really like your work. Beautifully simple and elegant. I especially like the Fire Agate necklace. Very elvish.

[Hobbit]

Yeah, great stuff Nilion. You've made some beautiful jewels: the fire agaye neckless is beautiful and you've made a great selection of rings too. Some seem simple and some seem complicated. And all have some kind of sophisticated elegance.
Very beautiful. :thumbs:

[HobbitFriend]

nice work, Nil! :thumbs: They do look quite Elvish :elf:

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Your design are wonderful! Do you work as a jeweler or is this a hobby? The diaries are beautiful as well, I especially like the Rohan design! I sure hope you're signed up to work on the guide!:)

[HobbitFriend]

alrighty now.... for all you people who didn't believe I could do it (okay, even i had doubts myself ;) ), I have finished my Elf dress! I mean, it's not the best :p but i'm happy with how it came out and it is only the first dress i've ever actually made! :p
the link is here: www.geocities.com/hobbitfriend2005/costumes.html
let me know whatcha think ;)

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Can't get in...as always with geocities...they don't like me! If this is the case for more people, I'll be happy to give you a bit of space in my photoforum, at least for a while....I don't use it that much anyways! PM me if you wanna do it, so we can see your creation! I'm sure it looks great!:)

[Hobbit]

Great dress HF! :thumbs: The combination of colors is really beautiful and the sleeves are beautiful too. Very elf like.
Great job HF ;)

[Bonos-Girl]

wow! it looks great HF!! i love the colours...for some weird reason it remind me kinda of one of queen amidala's dresses in phantom menace....i guess thats just me though! lol

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Why can't I see it mecry sounds soooo nice!

[Bonos-Girl]

awww....i'll put up the pics in my photo forum section in a mnute...

ok...done....one of them was too big mso if you want to see it i could esize it at home and upload it but there are 3 pictures up.
http://www.warofthering.net/pp321/showgallery.php?cat=6028&ppuser=7 is the link...hopefuylly'll work...

Added one of the images proper while tidying up this joint!
http://www.warofthering.net/pp321/data/6028/7ElfMe1-med.jpg

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Ooohh that looks sooo beautiful! And such a nice choice of color for you, HobbitFriend! Really you've done a great job, and you look royal! Are you wearing it for the RotK premiere?

If Hobbitfriend doesn't mind, I'm sure everybody wants to see the other pics as well!

[Aranethiel]

What a lovely gown. The sleeves look terrific. Congratulations. As to ear tips, with Halloween coming up costume accessories will be much easier to find right now. :thumbs:

[HobbitFriend]

aww :blush: thanks everyone! :) I'm glad you all like it :) I'm in the middle of making a Hobbit costume right now, and hope to make two cloaks (one for my mom and one for me ;) ) I'll put those pictures up when I'm finished too.

And yes, that's what i'll be wearing in Canada for the RotK premiere party... I'll wear either that or the Hobbit one to the Masquerade Banquet and the other to the movies ;)

[Nimloth]

I took compulsory sewing at school once upon a time. After sewing my hair into the hem of the skirt I was making, and then bumping into the very same skirt (pattern and material) down town, I resolved never to sew again.

verymad


Then a line party in Seattle came along at the exact same moment I was going to be in Seattle.

I'm blessed with a mother who is a professional seamstress. From baby clothes, childrens, adults, swimwear, weddings... she makes it!

I'm in the process of making Eowyn's Helms' Deep Costume.

I was able to source fabrics with the right texture. I had to then dye the silks to match colour. Then I had to find patterns that we could use to draft our own designs from. Alleycatscratch was handy, but my mother and I have had to do a lot more work in addition to what was on there.

The mock-ups of chemise, tunic and coat were done... and now we're at the sewing stage. I've even braided leather to go around the tunic/jumper neck and arms as well as creating a version of the brooch Eowyn wears at the top of her coat. Right now, I'm getting the hair extensions dyed to match my hair (which is blonde).

It's been fun and challenging, as my mother and I live about 14 hours of open highway away from each other. Lots of research. Looking at other people's trials and errors have been invaluable.

Lots of professional costumers aren't doing anything of this costume apart from the coat. Not enough available detail on all the other pieces. Mine won't be an exact match, but in the end it's all about the fun you have making and wearing and attitude.

Practising my shieldmaiden stance now.:thumbs:

[Cuiel Rilwen]

This project sounds very exciting and I hope you can post some photos or links to such when you're done!

I've started sowing my Rohan dress, but it's not anywhere near completion yet. Photos will come as soon as its shaping up!

[Bonos-Girl]

wow! that sounds like its gonna be great Nimloth!

[Elfdaughter]

I'm (hopefully!) going to a re-enactment feast soon...and I'd love to have a simple dress, but in a elven sort of style. got any tips?

[Nimloth]

Hmmm, let's see if I can remember my research...

The dress designs used in the films were done for tall and willowy people, so us mere mortals may need to adapt the following:

Elven gowns feature long, flowing lines and natural structure. Necklines for women can be high tab collars, or wide scooped necks that skim the shoulders. Sleeves are very and draped, reaching knees or longer at cuff but narrow at shoulder.

Bodices were empire line, sometimes with an "obi" added to the torso made of silk for added subtle shape. The skirts were simple and flared, falling to the floor and pooling.

Fabrics were all natural laces, silks, silk velvets and so forth, usually in colous such as ivory, silver, lavender, gold and so forth. If a more jewel colour were used, it was offset with a more subtle hue to give it sophisication. Adornments, buttons and brooches and so forth, were usually silver.

Lots of emphasis on drape and fall of the fabric, so you'll need to pick your fabric carefully. Try to find a simple, empire waisted mediaeval dress pattern. They usually have the draped sleeves. You can elongate the sleeves. An Obi can be made to add that "elven" touch (which had a distictly Japanese style to it in the films).

Obi's are wide sashes, worn around the torso. Made of silk, these can be subtely gathered and fastened at the back or decoratively tied at the front. Personally, given the Japanese cultural connotations of obi's that tie at the front, I'd opt for one that fastened at the back.


That's all I can suggest, as my research after that focused on the Rohirrim Shield Maiden.

I'll get some photos up as soon as can be. ::)

.A note for those making the shield maiden outfit that I picked up after capturing a scene from the Two Towers DVD.... the sleeves on the brown tunic are actually small cap sleeves. That's how the tunic sleeves are kept on the shoulder. The neck is quite wide, to allow the blue chemise to show through, and the problem was the tunic sleeves were thin and kept sliding off.

A real hitch if one was a shield maiden, to have your sleeves sliding off your shoulders and impeding your spear/sword arm. Closer inspection reveal the tunic sleeves to be little cap sleeves, which remedies the slippage problem.

;)

[Cuiel Rilwen]

These are very good advise, Nimloth! There are a number of pattern suggestions at Allycatscratch, if you don't wanna search for one yourself;)

Actually I think the last two posts rather belong in the "Need sewing advise"- thread...this one is more meant for finished or on-its-way-projects, isn't it? I'll have a mod move them if you don't mind...sorry for the tidy- freak in me!

[Elfdaughter]

I didn't know there WAS a need sewing advice thread....

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Sorry...didn't mean to be a kill joy:blush: just thought it would be better for who ever comes after to find these kinds of posts in the same thread thats all...

[Nibinaraniel]

Hey, can anyone make me a dress? Elf style, if possible. I'll PM my measurements if you can, so PM me if ya can...

[Amithrellas]

You might check in your local papers or yellow book, if no one can help you here. A local seamstress might get a charge out of tackling such a project. ;)

My son has decided to be Aragorn for Halloween so I deconstructed an old leather jacket of mine for his tunic, which has worked out fairly easily. In studying the costume, my question is this: What is it that Aragorn is carrying strapped to his back? It nearly looks like a quiver of arrows, but it's not. Is it supposed to be the banner that Arwen made for him???:huh:

[Catz]

no its his cloak......the waterproof one hes wearing as he leads the hobbits to Rivendell......looks like its made of oilskin
:catz:

[Amithrellas]

I thought it might have been the banner because it looks like a stick is wrapped in there somewhere, too. Must come from a sneaking suspicion that PJ will be re-arranging things quite a bit in RotK...
:cool: Thanks, Catz!

[Amithrellas]

Sewing leather is tough on the fingers – but hooray, I'm done! Posted the photo of my son in his finished costume :grin:

[Cuiel Rilwen]

My oh my what a handsome king! And the suit looks wonderful...I betcha it hurt to sew all that leather, well done!:)

[Nibinaraniel]

I found some great stuff for making quick and realistic ears on a budget... Fake skin!! Its sticky at first, and its reusable. I'll put some pis up in a few weeks or so, once my digital camera works again.... Oh, and I made a cool Elf dress after all...

[Bonos-Girl]

fake skin? where'd you egt that from?

[Cuiel Rilwen]

That's what I wanna know too!!!!

[Hobbit]

Is the pic of your son in King costume at the photo forum Amithrellas? I would love to see it. :grin:

Fake skin? That's great Nibinaraniel. I wanna know where you got that from too. I'm looking forward to seeing your pictures too.

[Elfdaughter]

*ED looks up at the name 'fake skin'* Wha?? Where'd ya get that from??

[Arwen, Elven Princes]

I'm so excited! I made my little sister (who is Eowyn) a replica of Eowyn's White Wool dress for a 11.5' doll! It turned out beautifully.

[Amithrellas]

Originally posted by Hobbit
Is the pic of your son in King costume at the photo forum Amithrellas? I would love to see it. :grin:
Sorry about that, Hobbit. I'd taken it down along with the rest of my photos. I've re-posted it :grin:

[Hobbit]

Great pic Amith :grin:
The costume really suits him. Wonderful suit for a very special king ;)
Well done

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Guys and dolls, look here

http://www.warofthering.net/photoforum/data/500/393arwen_of_imladris_cloak-med.jpg

it's Arwen of Imladris' wonderful Fellowship cloak! And look she's even got the Fellowship elven leaf broche! Good job Arwen!

[Hobbit]

Great job Arwen!
The cloak is wonderful and the elven broche is very pretty! :grin:

[Arwen, Elven Princes]

What pattern did you use!?!?!?!

[Cuiel Rilwen]

My sewing machine has been ill so I haven't been able to finish this....but you can still see the overall look I guess...tho the photo quality isn't very good:(

http://www.warofthering.net/pp321/data/521/62rohan_dress2_pdf.jpg

The overdress will have lacing in the sides down to the hips, and the bell sleeves will be lined. I also will make some swirling embroidery around the neckline and on the hem of the underdress, in a color only slightly darker than the fabric. I will post another photo when I'm done...preferable with me inside it!:)

[Elfdaughter]

mecry Wah! Naughty computer won't let me on!!

[Cuiel Rilwen]

This is not your pc, ED...it's the second one I've gotten today of this kind. Hm Maybe...I have to check something.

Edit: Just as I thought. Something wrong with the subscribers photoforums. I'll go tell Illu.

[Elfdaughter]

ah, ok then. Not my computer. Well, that makes a change!

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Illu fixed it!:)

[Elfdaughter]

*swoons* Oh, that's BEAUTIFUL!! I just wish my computer wasn't playing up again, so I could see it's colours properly... but that's so gorgeous!!

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Thanks ED...I'm afraid it's not your pc it's the photo. I'll get a better one when It's properly done!:)

[Elfdaughter]

No, my monitor gives everything a greenish/blue tint. So anything red looks black...

It still looks fantastic, though.

I need a new computer. This one gives me a headache!

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Oh sounds iritating! Anyway the underdress is sand beige, overdress deep red and the patterned fabric has both colors.

[Elfdaughter]

Ah, beautiful! Now I know how it feels to be colourblind....lol

[Nibinaraniel]

fake skin? where'd you egt that from?
It is sold at many costuming Stores, usually around Haloween-time..... It's by the people who make spirit gum. It can also be used to make raised scars and such. Works for fair-skined people only though.....

[Elfdaughter]

Right, I finally remembered to take a digital camera to an SCA event, but I think I only got one or two of me... and I think only the Skirt's visible, bu I'll post up what I can find. I make all my garb for events. By the way, does 'Creations' cover script writing? If so, I may have a couple of things to put up....

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Scripts like in for a play or the like?

[Elfdaughter]

No, as in scribe work - calligraphy and illumination.

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Oh I love that!!!! veryhappy and I'd lurrrve to see them! But as much as I'd love to see this place livened up I have to ask myself don't such projects belong in art...I'm not quite sure...or is it made it in f.ex an Elven style that could have been used as decor or a prop in a movie? I don't even know if I'm making sence...am I? :grin: I would hate to see your fine work end up in the wrong place and not get the attention it deserves!

[Catz]

i think writings belong in the fan fic area or at the least in art for decorative pieces ok?
its a little arbitrary, but it means that people at least know where to look for things
and the fan fic area itself has facilities for the display of illustrated items, im sure that if it is a decorative piece of writing, it could be displayed to better effect there..........it might be an idea to talk to Eledhwen about it ;)
if not, then it really should be in art anyway ;)
:catz:

[Cuiel Rilwen]

That's what I thought too...thanks Catz! Please get this into arts ED, I'd love to see it! I used to do calligraphy myself, tho I don't have any of my works in my posession...mostly made them for gifts! Suppose I should find some time to pick it up!

[Elfdaughter]

OK, thanks! Just thought It'd be better to ask first, before posting it up. Thanks, Catz!

OK, as I promised: me in my fencing gear... the first thing I made!!

http://www.warofthering.net/photoforum/data/500/1112Elfdaughter.jpg

ahem... yeah.... just ignore the trainers....

[Cuiel Rilwen]

ooooh wow looks real scary and defo VERY cool!

[Elfdaughter]

Aw, thanks! here's another one - I'm on the left...

http://www.warofthering.net/photoforum/data/500/1112me_wenny_and_nicole.jpg

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Ah....so good to have a face to go with the person! :) What does this being authorized fully mean? Are there different levels like in karate and such?

[Elfdaughter]

Not really - basically, being authorised means you've taken both a verbal exam on the rules, and have proved yourself on the field of combat against another fighter - usually a marshal. It shows that you're safe on the field, both to others and to yourself, and that you're competent with a blade.

[Cuiel Rilwen]

ah I see...sounds like a fun thing to learn!

[Elfdaughter]

Yeah, it is! I love it!

[Nibinaraniel]

Any ideas on a Elvish Dress that is cheap?

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Do you mean cheap as in buying or making?

[Nibinaraniel]

Either or...

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Well first and foremost there are a number of good links to sites that sell medieval/ elvish looking gowns in our "post links to good sites" thread...I looked through them just now and at least in the second post I made on the first page there are some cheap ones...depending on what you consider cheap ofcourse!

To sow one is ofcourse the cheaper and better solution, you get what you want. If you spend some time looking for the right fabric I'm sure you can find something good. But you should in that case read "Q&A on sewing and design", cus there are a number of links to patterns and lots of desciptions on how-to in there. There are some simple and some more difficoult projects.

Also if you haven't been to www.allycatscratch.com/lotr/ I'd hurry over there if I were you! They got a section called fast costumes, and those will always prove less costly!

Yell if you don't have any luck!:)

[Elfdaughter]

OK, here are a couple of photos of me in gear I've made. I really need to take a good piccie of me in my garb....

At Rent-A-Don II:
http://www.warofthering.net/photoforum/data/500/1112me_gonz_wenny.jpg - this one shows me in my Black Watch tabard, with the first shirt I'd made under it, and my fencing skirt (The second skirt I'd made.)
Rent a Don again:
http://www.warofthering.net/photoforum/data/500/1112Ave.jpg - this is me on the walls of the castle at Rent a don, in my blue cloak, which is lined with white velveteen, and the hood is embroiderd with a vine pattern, and stars. Underneath the cloak I'm wearing the first bodice I ever made, which is the same blue as my skirt, and is tied with the same velveteen that's lining my cloak. The shirt is that same one as in the picce above. The bown is a small leather pouch.
At Viceroy II:
http://www.warofthering.net/photoforum/data/500/1112Antonio_and_me.jpg - This is me in my tartan dress, attempting to keep Antonio from pinching me....lol
The white is the underdress, which, unfortunately, you can't see....

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Wow you do have a lot of costumes! And looking goo I must say! :) Who's the handsome Antonio in the posh jacket? :grin:

[Elfdaughter]

He's my Kingdom Rapier marshal. He's hilarious - his good lady made him the jacket for his 30th birthday.

lol...thanks! I don't actually have that many items - they're just mixed and matched...

[Nibinaraniel]

No luck!

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Feel up to heading for the sewingmachine then? :)

[Elfdaughter]

It's not that difficult to make something simple Nib - you can make something in virtually no time at all - that tatrtan dress, for instance, hasn't got a single stitch in it - or you can make something more complicated - my cloak took me about a month.

Oh, and if you have a sewing machine, it makes it a lot faster and a lot easier!! My underdress was done on the sewing machine, and it would have taken me days to do it by hand - I did it in one afternoon on the sewing machine.

[Cuiel Rilwen]

ED is right, Nib! Tell ya what...if you find a piccie of a gown you would like, upload it to the photoforum and post a link in here...I can certainly make suggestions for patterns and advice you how to do it. Does that sound like a good idea? That way you can get it close to your dream and yet not too daunting.

[Nibinaraniel]

yep! I'm looking

[Nibinaraniel]

Sorry for double posting, but here is the dress I want!!

http://www.alleycatscratch.com/lotr/Elf/Female/elf_yellow.jpg

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Hmmmm seems summat is wrong sweetie, can't see the image. PM me the link and I'll fix it for ya! :)

Hehehehe got it! Wow this is abeautiful dress! There is however no easy way of making such a fitted dress. I would be interested to know if you have any sewing experience and/or if you have someone who will help you make it? Will be a lot of work...not to scare you but well. Wonderful piece indeed! :)

[Lady Éowyn]

Oh well, I haven't made any costumes since last December. I bought 5,5 m beautiful wool-cashmere fabric from Sweden this February for a Fellowship cloak, but I'm so lazy, that it's still in it's very own plastic bag. I have many costumes on my list and I AM going to make one very soon, but first, I have to make that damn cloak. On the other hand, I'm quite proud of myself. For the RotK premiere I made Arwen's Requiem gown and that was my first costume ever, and I'm pretty happy how it came out;)

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Errrrm......*cough* piccies! *cough* Sounds so cool, we want to see it!

I too have some cloak material waiting for me...several meters of dark brown velvet! I actually brought my Rohan dress with me to Gotland but I only wore it once cuz it was waaaaaay to thick and I sweated pebbles in it! Next time I go I'll be sure to make a thin linen gown!

[Lady Éowyn]

Errrrm......*cough* piccies! *cough* Sounds so cool, we want to see it!
Yeah, actually I could post some, if my lovely digital camera could work :angry:

I too have some cloak material waiting for me...several meters of dark brown velvet!
Yeah? Did you know that cloak materials are dangerous. Always when you've just bought few meters, you'll forget it very soon, and after a half a year you remember: "Gosh, I should make that damn cloak!" lol

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Hehehehe is that so...will it attack me if I unwrap it and claim to be fashioned at once? lol

I actually had the worst prob with my digicam just now. I never figured out what was wrong, but I had to take the memorycard to a photo-shop and get the images burnt onto a cd. My pc suddenly stuck when I tried to download the piccies, and when it started working again it asked me to format the card, to which I replied 'no'. But this lead to the pc not being able to recognize the camera's proggie. I tried to reinstall it, but no show. So I formatted the card and tried to take pictures, everything was good and when I plugged in the USB PLOINK there my pc was behaving again!

[Lady Éowyn]

Hehehehe is that so...will it attack me if I unwrap it and claim to be fashioned at once?
Oh boy, who knows! lol Hope not. It just happens to me and my friends. Often. :rolleyes:
I hope your computer will be fine. My own does it very often:huh:

[Elfdaughter]

Finished my latest....

Edited by Cuiel; folks, please look further down for a full size image of the dress!

http://www.warofthering.net/photoforum/data/500/1112PIC00122-med.jpg

http://www.warofthering.net/photoforum/data/500/1112PIC00123-med.jpg

http://www.warofthering.net/photoforum/data/500/1112PIC00124-med.jpg

http://www.warofthering.net/photoforum/data/500/1112PIC00125-med.jpg - I also made the shoes in that piccie as well.

[Laurelin]

Cool ED! :thumbs:

[Eriu]

*jaw hits the floor* Erm, I'm just learning how to sew and erm...I can only scarce dream of doing such a feat. Great work Elfdaughter, only one thing I"d change? S-M-I-L-E :grin:


It makes us wonder what your up too..... ;)

[Cuiel Rilwen]

I betcha she's just trying to look serious. ;) It looks great, good job! Did you make this for some RP, ED? I think I remember that you get into that sometimes, or am I making this up?

Oh and is the piccie uploaded to WotR? I get so dizzy looking at it sideways, so I was wondering if it's possible for you to flip it over 90 degrees and upload it anew? Pliiiis? Would also look soooo much better that way! :)

[Elfdaughter]

lol!! OK, I'm not smiling cos I hadn't the foggiest it was being taken!! lol! Yeah, I made it for the SCA...OK, I'll reload it....*grins*

http://www.warofthering.net/photoforum/data/500/11121112PIC00121-med.jpg

there you go!!

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Thanks sweetie! My head feels much better now! Wow the angle makes you look like you have the longest legs...like an elf!

I'm gonna edit that post with the old image, it doesn't work anymore anyways. :)

[Eriu]

YAY right side up! Looks better indeed! Great work Elfdaughter, I likes it ^.^ I like your little crown, is it flowers? O.o Again, I can only dream of making something like that yet. I have to start at the beginning. Aka, "It's Sew Easy!" Patterns and "Sewing for Dummies" patterns O.o Cause that's what I am, a Dummy! LOL You will see me start showing off though if I start making pretties! *Firm nod* Keep up the great work Elfdaughter :) May the Sun Shine on you, and you as well Cuiel! :)

[Elfdaughter]

Aw, thanks! Don;t worry eriu, you'll soon get the hang of it. That dress took me two days, handsewing it all. Yeah, the chaplet (ooh, look at me, getting all technical!! lol) is flowers, albeit plastic ones...lol

Thanks Cuiel! Yeah, it does rather, doesn't it!! lol! I hadn't noticed that. In reality I'm only 5 foot, but hey...

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Hmmmmm...*ponders about the difficoult footage measurement*...according to my old dictionary that would be 152 cm...? I'm 168 but I still want longer legs! lol Or not. I might stumble in them. :grin:

[Elfdaughter]

lol - yeah, about that...sorry, I was brought up on feet and inches...

[Cuiel Rilwen]

No sweat, sweetie! Talking to you guys makes it a necessity to have at least some understanding of the matter! lol

[Eriu]

I made a potato sack with armholes! :grin:


I have no pictures and alas I would not show any! >.< I'm just excited I made something that...looks like erm..something! Instead of squares! O.o


Yes, I'm weird and I must go get more thread tomorrow!

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Congrats with the...sack,my dear! I don't suppose you used a real sack...it's prob much better looking than those! lol Glad you're having fun with it! :)

[Eriu]

*chuckles* Thankyou, no, just muslin, didn't turn out the way I wanted. I obtained a little girl's jumper pattern, labeled "easy" but it's not...really. It has...GATHERING! *gasps as dramatic music plays* O.o I hope to start work on something more LOTRish...I feel stupid posting I Made a sack that one can wear. Stupid really, but I guess I'm excited still I made something other than squares of fabric. This *IS* for LOTR projects only, or fantasy/medieval, well my sack WAS a tunic, is a tunic...its erm...something, well thats all tunics are, glorified potato sacks most of the time, then you stick a lil leather belt round it and voila! Glorified potato sack become...TUNIC! heh heh O.o

[Alven]

My biggest hobby is LOTR costuming! I am sooo glad I found this thread! I have my own website where I post pictures and construction notes. My current projects are Arwen's Blood-red dress and a female hobbit dress/bodice:
http://www.geocities.com/my_lotr_costumes

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Hello Alven, and welcome to WotR! How nice to see a new scandinavian in here! I visited your site and you have some truly amazing stuff in there! Very impressed, you're very skilled! There are some pages that can't be viewed tho...a few at the bottom of your navbar...something about exceeding some limit I dunno...just wanted to give you a heads up!

I'm so glad you guys are trying your hands at sewing, it's been awful quiet in here for a while! lol My sewingmachine is sick again, I might have to retire it this time. Too bad I can't afford a new one at the mo...and I really can't live without it! :(

[Alven]

Thanks for your nice words about my costumes!

There are some pages that can't be viewed tho...a few at the bottom of your navbar...something about exceeding some limit I dunno...just wanted to give you a heads up!

That's because it's a free website and it has a certain space, and when there are many visitors it takes a break sometimes :-( Wait for about an hour and try again.

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Aha...;)...well I guess you got some people in to look at your stuff then!

[Lady Moat]

i am finally almost done w/ my Arwen/Galadriel tribute website!!!
it's really image heavy, i took hundreds of screencaps, and there's other stuff too, but i wanna have a fan section too......... i have been working soooo long on this site, hopefully be next weekend i will be done :p

[Cuiel Rilwen]

I see we've gotten off topic a bit and prob mislead you hon...this creations-thread is for costumes or the like...so when you're done with your site could you please make a post in the Prancing Pony about it...I believe the thread is called "sites to see" or summat similar...that way it will get the attention it deserves! And we'd love to see your site! :)

[Lady Moat]

I see we've gotten off topic a bit and prob mislead you hon...this creations-thread is for costumes or the like...so when you're done with your site could you please make a post in the Prancing Pony about it...I believe the thread is called "sites to see" or summat similar...that way it will get the attention it deserves! And we'd love to see your site! :)


oh i am so sorry!!!! thanx for the head's up!

[Cuiel Rilwen]

No harm done sweetie...just wanted you to get the right audience...and doing my modding-duties at the same time hehehe! :grin:

[Black Rider]

i'm in the process (well, almost finished except for trim) of making arwen's blood red dress. i used a mccall's patter but i forget which one :p sorry :( i'm not really sure what i should do for the upper sleves though... arwen's dress in the movie used a paisley reddish print fabric but i couldn't find any so i used the regular black... but i want to add some kind of design or maybe embroidery... but i don't know how to do that. well, i do know how to stitch and embroider but i'm not sure of what kind of design to use. i was thinking about a golden and red kind of metallic design maybe with the star of feanor and some loopy looking elvish lines or perhaps some kind of paisley design but i haven't decided yet... so the reason for this post is to ask anyone for some ideas...? what kind of design thing should i do (that's not too complicated or TOO time consuming and expensive and won't look tacky) thanks :D

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Elvish swirls are simple enough both workwise and designwise...and lookes good me thinks! Gold thread can be tough to sew with, esp. if its thin. I did see someone who made a doubble material sleeve, with some dark blue underneath a golden lace-fabric...but I personally thought it was a bit overdone. Another way to do it would be looking for a thin chiffon scarf with a fitting pattern/colour scheme to use on top of the solid.

[Lady Cele]

Haven't tried my hand at a costume yet but I am cross-stitching pictures of Eomer and of Legolas. I found the patterns on a website and printed them. I started on the Legolas one first because I liked the colors of green it uses. I have to find some green aide cloth for Eomer though. The pattern calls for a cream colored background but I think green would make the golds and blues show up better.... :grin:

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Aahh how grand that you folks are creating something again! The cross-stitch-piccie sounds wonderful, Lady Cele! You're absolutely right that a darker background will make the golds show up better...hope you post piccies when you're done!

[Elfdaughter]

Yeah, I'm going to see about finding something like that as well...

[Elfdaughter]

Sorry about the double post: I've just started making a new cloak - russet brown with forest green lining. It's a full circle cloak as well, so should be a lot better than the one I have now....

[Liv_Tylers_Twin]

... I'm making the Blood Red Dress of Arwen for Halloween this year. I'm even doing her hair (since mine is a tad bit on the short side.. :rolleyes: ) and ears too. :)

Well.. that's my project. So far:

Dress: FINALLY got a pattern that I can do my 'base work' on!! Yay!! :hooray: Now I just need to figure out 'true' fabric color...

Hair: I was originally going to go to my hairdresser to have her design a wig for me that looked like Arwen's hair, but then I had a thought as I browsed Wal-Mart (yes.. Wal-Mart.), why not buy a long, dark, straight haired wig and curl/crimp it? So I shall do so! As soon as I can find my five dollars.. hehe. :p

Ears: Haven't gotten a chance to try out the gelatin idea or nose putty. Working on it!! ;)

Will be posting pictures!! For now, you may get a preview of my ears-to-be!! (http://community.webshots.com/photo/191914677/194582407mIXbYd)

[Elfdaughter]

Hey, looking good!! I'm making one of my friends halloween outfits now - He's going as Lupin from Harry Potter, so I've made his cloak, and his wand as well.

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Oooooh like your new avvie ED! Did you make it?

[Elfdaughter]

That avvie? No, I didn't. Just found it on the internet, unfortunately.

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Not so unfortunate...it really looks grand no matter who made it! ;)

[Elfdaughter]

Aw, thanks! Hmm, I need to find a way to get the photos of my stained glass stuff up on here.....

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Stained glass!!!? Say is there something you don't do? Bring it on! :grin:

[Elfdaughter]

lol :blush: OK, I'll take a few photos tonight - I'm working on a piece which I'll get finished over the weekend. I'll get the photos up some time next week.

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Grand! I can't wait to see it! :)

[Black Rider]

i'm working on an Arwen costume for halloween. i started this august with the major stuff, but now, as there's a party in two days, i'm going to be finishing it up! it's taken me quite a while. i will deff. have pix up after the party, i hope it turns out okay.

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Aha stressed out now with just a few days to go eh? lol Don't I know exactly how that is...I sat with my gown almost the whole night before our national liberation day this spring! lol Why do we do that...wait till the last minute? It's just plain stupid...for me it's because I need the preassure to get my you-know-what in gear! :duh:

[Elfdaughter]

lol - whereas one of my friends came to me LAST NIGHT and said 'help! I need a cloak by saturday!' Oh great. I'm going to be up all night doing it. I should go now and do it, really, shouldn't I...

[Black Rider]

you should! lol

it's not so much that it's stressing, because i know i'll get it done. it is just aggravating that it's so time-consuming! lol

[Elfdaughter]

lol - I know the feeling! Well, I made the cloak, and she's thrilled, so that's ok!

[Luvara]

Hey! :) Long time since I posted in here, but I thought you might wanna see what my Eowyn dress looked like when it was finished? :) I used it at the Fellowship Festival in London in August, and I'm pretty pleased with it!

http://www.warofthering.net/photoforum/data/505/1367DSC00084_test.jpg

http://www.warofthering.net/photoforum/data/505/1367DSC00086_test.jpg

It might look a bit big, but those pics are kinda strange! lol I took them in our garden, but the ones my friend took at the Festival (she still hasn't sent them to me! :rolleyes: hehe) are better. I guess these will be good enough! :)

[Cuiel Rilwen]

:o :o :o Luvara you look absolutely stunning!!!! Did you make it yourself? It's wonderful...and I love the belt! Good job! How was the festival? Lovely ofcourse why do I even ask! lol

[Luvara]

Awwww.... :blush: Thanks! Yeah, I made it, but my mother helped me with it! But the belt was a pain in the ***! ;) lol The Festival... Well, what can I say? It was def. the best day in my life! :grin:

[Cuiel Rilwen]

I am dead envious! Is that gold embroidery on the belt?

[Luvara]

It's like 300 sequins or something! lol It took forever to make, and I'll never do it again! :P lol I had to sew them one by one!

[Liv_Tylers_Twin]

Well, my halloween costume was.. a fop. :(
I didn't have time/money to get the materials that I needed (however, I managed to get the base pattern... not much help without the fabric... :rolleyes: ).

I fell back on my "backup" costume (which I was hoping I'd never use...).
Dark purple velvet dress with rose embroidery imprinted in it, dark blue veil with sivler-sequined crown. And my ears? ..... bandaids. >_<

Well, I was rather proud of my ears. I made a base shape after cutting the cotton part off, then built up on top of that with more savaged bandaids. Then I took some foundation and blended it in with my real ears.
I was quite satisfied with the results; that is, until my friend told me I made them too pointed. mecry What does she know anyway?!
*sniff* I need a hug... :( I at least tried, man!!!

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Sounds like a real trial Luvara! But it looks fab so was entirely worth the pain! :)

Don't bother yourself with not getting it done, LTT...I sense you're the kind who want the right stuff or nothing and when you set yourself high goals it sometimes isn't possible to get it done in time for the occation it originally was intended for. I was supposed to have mine done for RotK but that didn't happen. I'm glad I waited cus it wouldn't have become the gown I wanted if I'd have hurried. :thumbs:

Too pointed? Bah...who's to say elves' ears only have one particular angle? Ignore that kind of comments! Have piccies? Even if it's just of the ears? And here's that hug :cuddles: feel better now?

[Liv_Tylers_Twin]

Thanks for the advice and hugs, Cuiel, I'm feeling much better now. :)

Yeah, I wasn't trying to be impatient about it, it was just frusterating since it was something I really wanted to do and I couldn't do it (much like a lot of things I do these days *sigh* :rolleyes: )

I didn't take piccies, but I can do them again! :wiggle: You know, Band-Aids really do rock!! :rock: lol ;)

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Hehehe if you say so! lol

[Black Rider]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v61/elendilstar1603/DSCN0849.jpg

there's my Arwen costume heh. it's not a very good pic, as the lighting's terrible, and the hallway of my dorm isn't exactly a very picturesque setting... lol


btw, luvara: your costume is amazing! i think that you pull off eowyn really well! better than me as an elf lol. i really like the belt, good job on it!

[Liv_Tylers_Twin]

Okay. 2 things:

1. DANG!! Nice job!!! :thumbs: VERY nice!! :grin:
2. Am sulking. ;) This was the outfit that was never made. :hmppf: *sigh*

Too bad fabric costs an arm and a leg down here.... :rolleyes: lol
What did you use for your ears, length of fabric, ect..??

Again, great job!! :thumbs:

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Oh my that is just wonderful!!!! Great job, BR! :thumbs: And what rubbish is that about you not looking elvish...you do too!! Is that pointy ears I see? And are you wearing some kind of brooche?

[Isilme_cu]

Wow! That came out great! :thumbs: The colors are beautiful and the trim is perfect! You look VERY elvish! :hooray:

[Black Rider]

:p thanks guys!

cuiel: it's not a brooch... i put some beading in the center, some little star design with some squiggles, it looks allright from up close i guess, it was my first beading attempt so i'm rather pleased with it.

LTT: you'll bever guess where i bought my velvet from? lol ebay! it was a lot cheaper to order it online than get it from the fabric store, surprisingly. and i have a lot left over too for some other thing if i want to make it. the other trim and stuff wasn't bad. i usually only buy big stuff of fabric when it's on sale, because i am rather poor :p the black is faux suede, i think i got 3 yards for $15 which isn't bad.
my ears are these weird prosthetic things i got at the costume shop. i put my hair down in the front so that it covers the gap between the fake tip and my actual ear, coz i wasn't in the mood to go all out with goopy stuff that they tell you to buy :p

[Liv_Tylers_Twin]

*falls over* EBAY?!?!?! :elfeek:
GEEZ! :rolleyes: Why didn't I THINK of that?!?! lol Yer a genius!!

Very cool with the beading! :thumbs: :grin:

Erm.. you wouldn't mind sending your excess fabric to me, would you? ;) J/K!

[Elfdaughter]

lol!! Wow!! That's fantastic!! OK, I really MUST get my piccies up now... grr...I'll have to find someway of getting them off the camera first..lol

[Cuiel Rilwen]

*taps fingers impatiently*

How come you can't get them off the camera?

[Black Rider]

yeah! let's hurry up with this now :p i wanna see these pix :grin:

[Elfdaughter]

lol - all a question of no USB port and no batteries.... hmm....OK, my partner's coming up tonight, so I'll get some batteries tomorrow, take piccies of us, then get them transferred to disk, bring the disk into uni, and upload them like that....so I'll have em up Tuesday, if not monday.

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Aha technical issues! lol Well we've waited this long I guess we can wait until monday!

[Elfdaughter]

lol...now the ruddy machine won't put it onto disk...*grrrr* OK, got a backup plan.....

[Black Rider]

sweet. *becomes excited for pix*

[Eldarion]

Mae Govannen all,

The hardest part of doing a LOTR costume (IMHO) is the footwear ... not cheaply, but PROPERLY ... with that said, I have a pair of Faramir boots and a pair of Boromir boots for sale on Ebay.

The Faramir boots are a US size 8, are made of black suede with a hard sole and rawhide laces up the front. These are in NEW condition. URL is:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5535360588

The Boromir boots are actually a gently worn pair of Marlborough riding boots size 8.5 US/ 7.5 UK. I went to the exhibit in Boston recently to verify the alleycatscratch.com statement that Bo's boots were really just riding boots (they are!) The boots have just the right "travel weariness" look to them. URL is:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7114179994

Now -- Aragorn boots. I don't have them per se, but www.caboots.com offers a great looking pair.

Thanks for reading,

Eldarion

[Elfdaughter]

*sighs* OK - FINALLY!!!! lol And as you've had to wait - here's me in my pirate garb I've just finished for the SCA.

Sword and scabbard: I made the scabbard - and fixed the sword hilt with duct tape and binding....the coke bottle's there to show you the size of the sword.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/everildsca/other%20sca/PIC00177.jpg

Captain Everild Sweordbora of the pirate ship Defiant...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/everildsca/other%20sca/PIC00178.jpg

No idea what was going on with the sword there...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/everildsca/other%20sca/PIC00179.jpg

Checking for nicks... had no idea this was being taken....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/everildsca/other%20sca/PIC00181.jpg

On guard! Spanish style...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/everildsca/other%20sca/PIC00182.jpg

"Come any closer....."
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/everildsca/other%20sca/PIC00183.jpg

[Elfdaughter]

and....

Here's the promised photos of my glass painting....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/everildsca/makes/PIC00162.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/everildsca/makes/PIC00161.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/everildsca/makes/PIC00160.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/everildsca/makes/PIC00159.jpg

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Wow you look fantabulous!!!! Did you make them leather pants as well!? Seriously that garb is fantastic! And the sword! What is the scabbard made from? Looks grand! :cool:

Your glasspainting looks good too! Well done! :) Tho I can't make much of the last piccie. Very dark. Did you use a pattern or make it up as you worked?

[Elfdaughter]

Thanks!! No, but I made everything else! The scabbard was made from a lot of things - first, I rolled stiff paper round the blade, to get the shape. I taped that together with sellotape so it kept the shape, then covered the whole thing in duct tape. I then wrapped it in black fabric, the covered that with soft leather. I then wrapped the trim round it to give it a bit of colour. The top of the scabbard has thicker leather round it, and cord through it, so I can attach it to my belt.

As for glass paintig - just made it up as I worked! They were the best piccies I could do, unfortunately.

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Looks very cool! Very good with the description on how you made the scabbard! Did you glue the different layers on as you went along?

The first photos of the glass are good, so don't worry about that hon! :thumbs:

[Elfdaughter]

No - I used duct tape! Heh - an armourer's best friend.....duct tape!!

[Cuiel Rilwen]

I used that to fix my kids rainjacket! Was kinda surprised to find it in the shops up here tho. And why is it called duct-tape? First time I heard of it I thought it was "duck-tape"! lol Silly norwegian I know!

[Liv_Tylers_Twin]

Don't feel bad, I thought that too when I was younger, Cuiel!! lol

As for the outfits, REALLY AWSOME!! :cool: :thumbs:

I'm liking the sword! What's the sword made of? ;)

Overall rating: Somewhere higher than ten! :)
Coolies! :grin:

[Isilme_cu]

:cool: Great work! Very clever in figuring out the scabbard for you sword. :thumbs: I love the burgundy color of the glass. Very lovely. :)

[Elfdaughter]

lol - thanks everyone! lol The sword is made of wood, metal, and a fair helping of duct tape!

It's called duct tape cos it's used for fixing ducts....;)

[Divyan Gammag]

Very nice on all the coustume/project pics! *Lol* I just spent the last hour and a half reading this whole thing...soo...would it be alright to share my Halloween coustume? I was Frodo this year and my friend was Merry. I'll just post a couple. :grin: Please ignore the background...that would be the front entry. lol

*sighs* Yes, this is the best pic I have of us facing frontways. I'm on the left. I sewed the cloak, vest and that little scrap of a scabbard... :( I don't like the scabbard. My friend didn't have that much time to get her's together; hence her hair. Even I had to finish her cloak. Her "vest" is actually a t-shirt. She did good though for such short notice!
http://www.warofthering.net/photoforum/data/500/2889DSC02012-med.JPG

Hee hee! Full length! I LOVE how my "foot hair" came out! It's this brown tassel stuff that I found at Joann's sewed onto brown netting. Those "shoes" that you might see were just black thong sandles with the straps taken out and replaced by invisable beading thread. Just to let you know, it was very unreliable. I probably should have used something different for the straps because we were all running at one point and they broke which led us to going back home with our companion, "Gollum the Great", in the lead. lol
http://www.warofthering.net/photoforum/data/500/2889DSC02013-med.JPG

[Cuiel Rilwen]

You look great in your Frodo outfit! How very funny with the foot-hair! lol Looks grand! Your friend looks good too! :thumbs:

[Elfdaughter]

You look great!! But I can't see your scabbard properly!! *drools over sting* How did you make your scabbard?

[Divyan Gammag]

*sighs* Yes, this is the best pic I have of us facing frontways. I'm on the left. I sewed the cloak, vest and that little scrap of a scabbard... :( I don't like the scabbard. My friend didn't have that much time to get her's together; hence her hair. Even I had to finish her cloak. Her "vest" is actually a t-shirt. She did good though for such short notice!

ACK! I made a mistake...I'm on the RIGHT! Not the left. I guess my brain was somewhere else when I said that...

Oh, and Elfdaughter, my scabbard is just a peice of black fabric sewed into a tube, turned inside out with another peice of fabric sewed onto it for the belt loop. It wasn't very reliable either cause if I was running Sting would fall out. lol

[Isilme_cu]

I like your costumes. :cool: That was pretty inventive with the hair on the top of your shoes/flip-flops. You might be able to stick on the foot hair with 2 sided tape - the only thing is when you rip it off, its tends to take some of your real hair with it! lol I once held part of a costume on with it and believe me, I learned to rip really fast! :o There used to be something called Toupe tape, which might be easier on the skin since it was made to hold on hairpieces, but I was stuck with whatever the hardware store had to offer! :grin:

[Divyan Gammag]

Thanks for the tips Isilme! I'll try that in the future. :grin:

[Cuiel Rilwen]

I decided to post this to show how to make one...as I found it difficoult to find anything on how-to on the net. Hope it will be useful for you guys!

After surfing A LOT I found some good pictures of ready made bracers, and used my flimsy experience to deside which shape would be better. I chose this one
http://www.warofthering.net/photoforum/data/500/393armguard_feather_jpeg.jpg
because its bottom and topmost edges are curved inwards, a shape that prevents the edges to gnaw on my inside elbow and wrist when I bend my arm.

Then for the designing process! My dear friend Laurelin provided me with the link (http://www.craftcave.com/leather/leatherbasics1.htm) that fed my hungry brain! This tutorial shows the basics of carving patterns on leather. I pondered a lot about what tools to get, and luckily my local shoemaker is also an avid leathercarver! He ordered a swivel knife and a bevelling tool, and gave me loads of useful info! I also bought the leather from him, and some leather stain and patinating oil.

I drew a template based on my arm meassurements and cut a paper pattern which I scanned and saved in photoshop. I cropped it and then resized it so the meassurements were close to the actual size of the bracer. I then opened a square celtic motif on top of the template and made the background transparent. I then resized it to fit the template. I dragged and dropped the motif onto the template as a new layer, and then distorted the motif so it fit the template's shape. I had to clean it up quite a bit because of the resizing, something that maybe wasn't necessary as I really only needed guidelines. I then printed the image and checked the size, which was good. Here is the finished pattern;
http://www.warofthering.net/photoforum/data/3022/393bracer02.jpg
I cut the leather bracer based on the template. I then used a very soft pencil to redraw the lines of the celtic design, positioned it up-side-down on the leather bracer, and traced on the backside of the paper with a very thick knitting needle. This is the bracer before any cutting or staining was performed.
http://www.warofthering.net/photoforum/data/3022/393bracer01.jpg
More will follow later!

[Black Rider]

1) those are way cool hobbit costumes! i love them!!!

2) awesome bracer, cuiel, i love the design!

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Thanks, BR! :)

[Isilme_cu]

:cool: Too cool there, Cuiel! You're going to have the best looking bracers when you're out shooting. Your fellow archers will be filled with envy! :archer: Do you think that you can carve on the already made leather bracers that come with hooks and laces, or would the leather be too hard or anything? :)

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Depends on what kind of leather it is. It can't be carved in if it has been treated with varnishes or oils or the like, cuz the you need to moisten it before carving. Also it has to be thick and a bit stiff. I can't find the correct term for the leather I bought, but its 2 mm thick and the surface is quite hard compared to the type used for jackets and such. It's flexible but very...dense...thats the closest I can come to describing it!

[Cuiel Rilwen]

So...next step is to soak the leather. Pick a container that is sized so the item will not bend or curve a lot. Fill it with lukewarm water and let the leather sit in it for an hour. The leather will then be very soft and the surface like clay!

Use your swivel knife to carve along the drawn lines of the pattern, just as deep as it will get while the preassure on the knife is equal to the wheight of your hand. Again I used a thick knitting needle to make the carved lines wider. All these movements I found to be easier and steadier if I pulled the tool towards myself. The carving will be easier while the leather is very wet, so you will need to adjust the preassure as you go along.

Be careful as the leather is VERY soft and its easy to make marks where you don't want them! This type of "accident" can be healed by stroking over the leather with the bevelling tool.

To make the lines stand out in relief you use the bevelling tool, its almost like a tiny spoon. For this I found that shoving the tool away from me gave me more controle. Basically you hold the tool in one hand and bevel it outwards from the carved line, and put a bit of preassure on it with your other hand while following the pattern. You can repeat this movement as you like to get the desired effect. It can also be used to smooth out any small accidents or wrinkles that occure while bevelling the leather.

If the item you're working on is large it will be necessary to moist the leather as you go along, or it will be too hard to carve and the pattern will not be even. This will be very obvious as your work progresses. The bracer was just large enough for me to avoid this.

I forgot to take a piccie before I stained the thing...mostly because it was starting to dry up and I needed to make it dry into shape. I wrapped it around a role of kitchen tissue paper with a coupple of woolen threads, and let it dry over night. Thus the shape fits my arm well!

http://www.warofthering.net/photoforum/data/3022/393cuiel_bracer01.jpg http://www.warofthering.net/photoforum/data/3022/393cuiel_bracer02.jpg http://www.warofthering.net/photoforum/data/3022/393cuiel_bracer03.jpg

And here it is! Next step is patinating it to make the lines stand out a bit more, and then to get boot-hooks on it! :)

[Elfdaughter]

*drools* They are beautiful!!! I REALLY need to find some leather... I'm hoping to make a quiver using the same techniques as you.

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Hiya ED! Long time no see...where have ya been? :cuddles:

I actually decided that a quiver will be my next project...after I finish these...and a pressie! Carving was much easier than I thought...so go for it! :thumbs:

[Elfdaughter]

Tucked up in bed, ill! lol! That and struggling to get work finished before the hols...talking of which, I'm procrastinating again....

[Liv_Tylers_Twin]

I'm Filming a Movie!! :grin: :whoohoo:

Title: Undecided (working on that at this very moment)
Genre: Action/Adventure, Humor, Thriller
Release Date: Fall of October, 2005
Rating: PG-13 for scary moments, images, slight language and dirty jokes. Also a 15-second make-out scene.

It's a thriller movie; I'm directing. I'm also writing the script along with my sister as co-writer. :)
We're going to begin filming in January after auditions. I'll be finishing the script this month during the holidays (along with my fantasy novel! ;) )

The beauty of the film is that it really incorperates the elements of real, true, fear and none of this Hollywood gore and murders and other things of unrealistic horror movies. This film includes certain elements that can scare the average person; it's specifically targeted at teenagers because the setting is in a high school. :cool: My high school.
You see, the school was built and erected around 1842. It is excessively old, as you can tell, but the architecture is fantastic. It quite literally screams "I am a movie set!!" In fact, a movie made in the 90's was filmed there.
In addition to the school's magnificence is its mysterious side. There is a great amount of legends of ghosts that haunt the school (many of which I swear are true because my friends and I have seen the paranormal :elfeek: ) .
I'm very excited about this project and I can't wait to see all of our efforts come together. I say "our" because I'm obviously not the only person working on this film. :thumbs:

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Awwww have you been under with the flue, ED? Hope you're feeling better now!

Procrastinating....isn't it amazing how such a long and difficoult word can have such a meaning? lol From a foreigners point of view...with a lesser vocabulary than you natives ofcourse...it sounds so....important! "I'm sorry I can't do any (boring) chores because I have something I have to be procrastinating!" lol lol lol

That sounds great, Liv! (Hehehe feels a bit weird to be calling you that as I know it's not your real name, and all the while it's actually mine!) I just love old buildings, and your school sounds like it will make a wonderful backdrop for your movie! Are you and your sis gonna be playing the lead yourselves or are you just producing?

Hmmmmm...I'm thinking it might be good if you made a separate thread on your movie...allthough a creation it's not actually BTS. But please keep it in here and continue telling us how it goes...there aren't any other forums more fitting. We have had some people posting about film-making earlier, but the posts became kinda homeless, so please stay and keep your stuff flowing! :)

[Elfdaughter]

Yeah, it was...I hate flu!! lol Hah - yeah, I love that word...procrastinating...and I didn't know what it meant until I came to uni....lol!!!!

Good luck with the film, Liv!!

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Well I hadn't even heard of it until I joined WotR? lol

[Black Rider]

procrastinating.... the word became my mantra as soon as i learned it back in middle school.... now it's the cornerstone of my vocabulary. roflmao

[Lady Éowyn]

Updating my projects since August: so I ended up with Arwen's Dying gown for my next project and actually started with it already. I've got the trim now, then I have to just buy some silk velvet, Paisley brocade and a few patterns for this gown and for a cloak, whose beautiful wool-cashmere fabric has been waiting for me for 10 months now lol . I'm also planning to make Éowyn's Eggshell-blue coat, but that's another story...

[Cuiel Rilwen]

So second to last step is done. First I got a black patinating oil but luckily I tried it on a test carving I'd made. I didn't like the harsh contrast so I got a dark brown oil instead. This worked exactly like I had imagined it.

I used a thin artist brush to apply the oil to the carved lines, and I worked on a small area at the time. The reason for this was that I wanted the oil to get fast into the carvings without staing the rest of the surface too much, because the oil sets pretty fast. After applying the oil to an area of ca. 2x2 inches I used a cotton wool to even the oil out. I then moved onto the next area and did the same. After covering the whole bracer I applied some more oil with the cooton wool.

It's supposed to set within 5-10 minutes, but I waited only 5 as I didn't want the surface too dark and also one has to take into account the working time. Next step was to remove some of the surface oil. I used a moist sponge, I actually pressed as much water as I could out of it in a papertowel, because while trying it out on the test carving I learnt that too much water would damange the color. I then pressed the bracer flat and started rubbing it from centre and outwards in successively larger circles, rubbing more in the middle to leave it a bit lighter there. This gave it quite a nice worn effect. Some of the oils stay in the carvings leaving them slightly darker. I then applied a thin coat of wax to make it stand wear better. And this is how it looks now;

http://www.warofthering.net/photoforum/data/3022/393braceroil02.jpg

So now I need to get the boothooks on and I'll be ready for practice after the holidays!

[Elfdaughter]

Fantastic!! I'm about to start carving a design onto my knife hilt - I'll do the same as you, if you don't mind - post it up stage by stage...

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Thanks darling! And ofcourse I don't mind...will be great to see your work! :thumbs:

[The Renaissance Girl]

I made a Arwen/Eowyn type gown a while back. Made from black and gold satin with big sleeves and a very full skirt, quite fun. Next project is a 'princess' dress and a cloak for my little sister. Though I'd much rather be making her Eowyn's White Wool gown.

[Cuiel Rilwen]

How about piccies? We just luuuurrve piccies! :grin:

[The Renaissance Girl]

Kk, I posted a pic in the photo gallery, hope you like it.

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Absolutely beautiful dress hon! :thumbs: Wanna show off in here? :grin:

[The Renaissance Girl]

Wanna show off in here?
What's that mean?

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Would you like to insert the image into this thread so everyone easily can see it? I'll do it for you if you want to. :)

[The Renaissance Girl]

Hmm, would a link be okay?
http://www.warofthering.net/photoforum/showphoto.php?photo=9365&size=big&sort=2&cat=500

I don't have a website...YET!!!

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Don't need one sweetie...just insert it from the PF!

http://www.warofthering.net/photoforum/data/500/3634IM000969.JPG

There you go! Aint it beautiful folks?

[Manveri Silverleaf]

My version of the Hope Dress:

http://www.warofthering.net/photoforum/showphoto.php?photo=9392&sort=1&cat=500&page=3

http://www.warofthering.net/photoforum/showphoto.php?photo=9391&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=3

I'll try to get a picture of me wearing it, so that you can see the collar better.

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Oh yes please do...it looks great but it would be so much better on you! :)

[Elfdaughter]

They are BEAUTIFUL!!

[Black Rider]

wow! that is exquisite! i'm very impressed

[Domlegolas]

Wow, I am enjoying to read this thread and I am very impress of u to do dress..
I always want to do but never move on.. hummm.. I have some imagines in my mind...
But problem is I dont know which kind of materials I will buy.. For example, I would like to use dress for every day (Like Eowyn;) ), not like HomeComing or special events...
Perhaps some of u have any idea???
Also I would like to use dress for spring, summer and fall.. Possible winter ;)
:p

[Cuiel Rilwen]

I've been thinking about that too...would have to be a simpler design...like less fancy decor...and linen...or thin wool....or natural silk...something more wearable and less formal than the velvets and silks. Hmmmmmmmm. *Goes to think some more*

[Aletheia]

hey hey, those are some very awsome dressies!!! notworthy beautiful!!!
I just started a project...working long-distance with a seamstress picking out fabrics and such for my dress :hooray:
sheildmaiden gown, only I think i'll do the main gown in a brownish-rose tone instead of white (more practical) and stick w/ the suede though....hmmm....
I dont really know much about fabrics...any suggestions?

~Leia:rose:~

[Ithildiel Noldoran]

:whoohoo: That's so great, Leia!!My dress is also under way!!Progress is slow, though..my mom, who is making it, is a perfectionist! :grin: We decided on embroiding the designs we want on the dress ourselves-after failing to find and kind of lace that matched our concept! :) We're making the coroantion dress-that's the design, at least-in sea-blue velvet with silk and satin for details-we haven't decided what we're using yet!

Shieldmaiden gown...How about soft woolen fabric, Leia? ;)

EDIT: These are simply incredible dresses!:elfqueen: Nice going!!!veryhappy Just saw the pics! :blush:

[Elfdaughter]

http://www.warofthering.net/photoforum/data/505/245Img_1018.jpg

This is us at Rent-a-Don - I made the dress I'm wearing (far left of the picture), but you can't see the train on it.

[The Renaissance Girl]

*gasp* it's beautiful!!! great work!!

[Elfdaughter]

Ah, it's not as good as Eowyn's (the light blue one)! But thanks!

[Aletheia]

ED-Wow!! Lovely!!! notworthy Awsome!!! :thumbs: Beautiful work!!!
I wish I could sew...but alas no :(
I get the fabrics in the mail soon..then on to the trims! and Ive decided (w/ MUCH help from Andrea @ TwinRoseDesigns.com) to do the corset/vest peice in a cotton velvet blend instead of the suede...it breathes better and will be more comfortable to do he fight/acting scenes in (espec in July) I guess....
and the dress is in a rose tone for sure! with gold and burgundy trims i think...
this is costing me nearly a weeks paycheck :rolleyes: me and my obsessions......lol

Ithil you must post a piccy when its done, mellon nin!!! :smooch:

~Leia:rose:~

[Elfdaughter]

Yeah, that dress cost me about £60 to make - a bit ouch!! I'll have to post a piccie of me in my fighting gear!!

[Aletheia]

what does that mean in dollars? :blush: I am painfully ignorant, I know...
Mine is going to be arround $300...not bad though considering, still....anyways I just bought Nenya to compliment it ;)
and I need to remember to re-send measurements....evisently cloth measuring tape and the plastic kind are different (see what i mean, painfully ignorant? lol)

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Ya'll look absolutely fab! Did all you three gals make your dresses? Looks very professional indeed! :thumbs:

I should have made my cloak...got a batch of dark brown velvet sitting at home...only my sewing machine is acting up and I don't have the money to get a new one! :mecry: Not while I'm saving up to buying an AoV bow anyways! :grin:

When will your dress be done Leia? I can't wait to see it...sounds wonderful! :)

[Aletheia]

Oh but the cloak would look good w/ the bow ;)

Mine will take aprox. 4-6 weeks, plus shipping time :( a long while to wait, but its worth it! I am colaberating w/ the seamstress (who is fabulous and oh so nice:)) so I should recieve the fabric samples soon, and I sent out the measurments last night...
lol i had no idea what i was doing, as i have never been measured for anything before! I was clueless! :duh:

i have been thinking about getting a sewing machine...I would like to learn to sew very much! I am learning to make jewelery, but Im not advanced enough to make anything that looks all delicate and elvish yet....oh well....lol

[Eowyn]

argh! that was scary ED you sneak I keep finding this picture lurking! It confuzzles me seeing a piccie of me in here lol

I'm already planning my next dress :rolleyes:need money, fabric and time lol

Cuiel yes we all made our dresses. Aranel (in the middle) helped me with mine. She did all the machining and I did all the fiddly bits cos she can't stand those bits and I get impatient with machines lol mainly because they do exactly what's happened to you Cuiel lol stupid things. Couldn't you hand sew some of it? That's what I did.

Leia I wanna see your dress!

[Cuiel Rilwen]

That sounds very exciting Anorlas! However...I'm afraid you might not get the attention you deserve in here...so I'm gonna have your post moved over to music and make a new thread of it. I would also recommend you to make a similar post within poetry cuz the guys that hang out there have sometimes been known to write music! :) Hope that's ok with you! :grin:

I'm amazed that you all made your costumes Eowyn :o ...they look absolutley stunning!!! Very well done! :thumbs: I will not be making my cloak by hand, I'm gonna make it from many long triangular shapes and it will be too much work. It drapes fantastically tho when doen that way. I have an overlock machine and I will use it to sew the seams but I still need a traditional sewingmachine for the hem and edges. And then ofcourse there's the sleeves on my gown. So gotta find a machine to borrow! :grin:

[Elfdaughter]

argh! that was scary ED you sneak I keep finding this picture lurking! It confuzzles me seeing a piccie of me in here lol




lol!! Sorry!!! *runs and hides.... only to reappear with another piccie - in the process of being transferred from camera...*

[Eowyn]

Thanks Cuiel. Your cloak sounds gorgeous! My sister has a beautiful black velvet cloak that I love. it swishes about and it's so much fun :hyper: definately want to see piccies of yours once you've finished it ;)

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Don't worry I'll be showing off! :grin:

[Eowyn]

I'm glad to hear it :thumbs:

[JemFinch]

Ok...I've never sewn a dress in my life..but I want to make dresses for my two sisters' birthdays in July. For one, I want to do Eowyn's shildmaiden dress, and for the other I want to do some gown of Arwen's. I really wanted the Blood Red dress, but the trim looks pretty complicated, and I doubt they sell that exact fabric at Wal-Mart. lol So I'll be asking lots of questions along the way..I hope it works out. :p

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Sounds wonderful! How old are they? Ask away sweetie...loads of people here to help you out! :)