Battle for Middle Earth!

Sunday Sewing day - tracing patterns, finishing touches, fitting, ideas, and....
A BATTLE FOR MIDDLE EARTH!

Lisa and I have been working on our costumes for the PEERS Rivendell Revels, a costumed dance with costumes that would be worn in Lord of the Rings' world, the Middle Earth. My original thought was to be an elf (if you've ever seen my ears, you'd know why because I wouldn't even need a prosthetic!), but Lisa convinced me that everyone would be elves, so I chose to be a woman in the Rohan Court, serving Lady Eowyn. The dress is an homage to the green Eowyn dress, still missing the belt.

Lisa didn't see herself as either an ethereal elf, a Hobbit (the world's tallest Hobbit?) or a human on the side of good, but rather, a baddie.  But which one? She chose to make an rendition of a Haradrim Warrior.  In the movie, only males are shown, but Lisa chose to create what a female Haradrim Warrior would wear. I think she did an awesome job! She scares the heck out of me.
For the record - everyone wants to be the princess or the hero.  But the bad guys get all the great costumes!
And it's ironic that Valerie wanted to be a Rohirrim and ended up looking like an elf.  With two of our group already using the same pattern, I'm glad I 'stomped' out on a limb.



  For fun, we enacted a battle between Good and Evil.  and sneak a peek at Robin's collar... that is 'painted lace'.  She has a very deft and steady hand.

Evil won. (because Evil had weapons)

I spent our sewing Sunday tracing patterns for upcoming costumes ALL DAY LONG (Ugh). We fitted a muslin for Lisa's upcoming medieval gown and Lisa finished details of her Harradim costume. All in all, a productive and fun day.

Here's a quick peek at the elf dress - bad photo and not finished....

Weapons! - L

 No self-respecting nasty would go out without weapons.  Nor would they walk around with weapons unsheathed.  In an effort to avoid filing and preparing for taxes, I decided to make scabbards.  And, after all, the event is in a mere two weeks...

Isn't it silly to bring a sword and a knife to a dance?  And yet, how can I be a warrior without my tools?  It would be like an elf without ears!  So here they are.  I plan to tie a fragile red sting around them as 'peace-bonded' despite they're not being real.

All of this was made with scraps and remnants and bits set aside for other costumes.  (although I seriously need to quit raiding the renaissance or just finish the darned thing)

I created the shape by outlining the weapon on my scrap of choice. None were large enough for the sword so I added a tilted tip to the scabbard.  Quite evil looking!

 I used a short bit of my renaissance ribbon trim as decoration and sliced the faux leather to weave it in place.  Then I attached it with paper brads.  See the awl for punching holes and the brad...

Then I used Rub n'Buff on additional pieces for the top edge and the tip.  I used a combination of sewing and hot glue to hold it all together.  Then I tacked down a few large gold toned beads for decoration.

Finally I used gold crochet thread to blanket stitch the edge.  I made vertical slices in the back to attach the scabbard to a belt, or, in this case, to the back of my bodice.

Close up:

I also made a flimsy knife scabbard.  It's not as neat looking but it works.  It's just sewn together with a square of ribbon glued on.  I did reinforce the top edge so the knife can go in and out without catching, and added a glued on strap-y thing to attache to my side.

I have all my parts together except a couple of buckles and my turban.  I'll need to try it on to get the proper buckle placement.  So I may just take a quick picture.

The turban (like anything hat-related) has me stumped.

Back soon!