Bellatrix Lestrange Costume...Finished!

Well I got the Bellatrix costume done just in time for the library's Harry Potter Library Bash! Literally at 11:30 the night before I decided it was good enough. I had to eliminate the hood and the painted on swirls, but I'll add them in at another time. when I have some more time.

My favorite part was making the bird skull necklace. I couldn't find one I liked and I didn't want to pay the money for a replica one. So I did what any normal person would do...I sculpted my own out of clay. I'm actually shocked about how good it looked at the end. I was quite impressed with myself!

(Unpainted...just clay base)

 (Finished product)

(Stick I found outside that I used for the wand)

(Finished product...sanded down, added extra clay and painted)

(Corset stitches)
 
 

Happy Birthday Harry Potter! Next year, I'll have the costume 100% completed!

Bellatrix Lestrange Costume...part 3...the lace-up sleeves

I finally hit a snag in this costume. The dress was easy to make. The corset was easy to make. For whatever reason, the sleeves were not easy to make. After 3 or 4 tries I finally got the proper amount of spacing in the laces. Luckily I bought an extra pack of eyelets, so I still have enough to add onto the shoulder and sleeve top areas.

1.5 weeks to finish this up!

Bellatrix Lestrange Costume...part 1...the dress

I probably should not be taking on any more projects at this time, but that's what I do so, I'm making a new costume. The library I work at is having an all day Harry Potter Day event on July 31st. So of course I'm aiming to get a costume made up for it. I do work a 10 hour shift that day, so I may as well have fun while I'm there!

Since I do tend to be drawn towards the darker characters, I chose to go with Bellatrix Lestrange.

I chose this dress version because 1.) I just like it 2.) construction shouldn't be too complex and 3.) very importantly, it's distressed. So when I have a million other projects and I need to get a fast costume made: chose one that doesn't need finished edges. 

I zoomed into my reference picture and saw that the fabric has faint scrolls all throughout it (not counting the dominant painted or embroidered on ones). And so I knew exactly what fabric I was going to use, because I had already bought some years ago because I liked it. I had to run to the fabric store to get more yards, but at least I didn't have to make any decisions. Though they didn't have enough fabric to make the hood that is attached in the back. So if I manage to find more fabric and time, the hood may get added.

Cutting out and sewing the dress took only about 2 hours which was nice and I sewed in the front gathered stitch. I still need to shape the neckline a bit and cut off, and distress, the hemline. But all in all, the shape is good.Also note, that is not the corset in the picture, it's a random piece of black fabric I put on just for reference.

I was hoping to be able to start working on the sleeves but all the stores I checked today didn't carry 5/32 black eyelets. I was hoping to get small black ones so they will blend into the fabric. I'm going to check online to see if I can order them and have them shipped in time to finish up all the lacing.

Still to do:

1.) Corset

2.) Sleeves

3.) Distressing

4.) Final details (painting on scrolls)

4. Wig...or decide to destroy my own hair

5.) Wand

6.) Jewelry