What LotR Costumes/Clothes Have You Made? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

mark12_30 · 03-02-2005, 11:25 AM

Nuranar, you did one of those cloaks by hand? Wow.

The reason I hesitate about that pattern is the question can you wrap up in it and be really warm? I want something that keeps me out of the wind, not in it. Soooo... you tell me....

I'm impressed by your to-do list!

With few exceptions, such as the cloaks and the archery vambraces (which I needed anyway, getting whacked by a longbow string really hurts) I buy everything. Which means, shopping with an elvish/hobbitish haze over my eyes. If an elf or a hobbit walked into this store and had to buy several outfits, what would they walk out with? I don't sew much... and now I need a new bow! Ack. My black longbow cracked last time I used it. (Shooting in the cold shouldn't be that risky!)

Nuranar · 03-02-2005, 11:51 AM

Well, Helen, your archery skills impress me! I wish I could do that. My brothers have made bows - of a sort - themselves. But we have a very small yard and my mother is (understandably) not too wild about them getting arrows, so they just have to make do. It's been very... interesting at times.

About hand-sewing the cloak: Well, the main part is only one piece, cut in a semi-circle. I would've hand-hemmed all those edges anyway, so it wasn't a biggie. The hood was four pieces that could've been machine-sewn faster, but it wasn't too bad. And joining the hood to the body by hand is probably a lot more secure than by machine! I sewed over it twice, very carefully; perhaps even backstitching. Actually, I find hand sewing very relaxing. It's ideal for listening to books on tape or sermons or something.

About the pattern: I like the pattern because of the way it hangs open. That means I can wear it around the house without it getting in my hands' way. But just because it hangs open doesn't mean there's not enough material to wrap up in. When I've worn it on reenactments, I've found it useful - and attractive - to swing one side across and pin the edge to my other shoulder. It draps across my neck (you can adjust how high) and hangs very nicely. This drape is also shorter than full length, so it doesn't get in the way of my hands. Actually, it hangs over my arms, keeping them warm but allowing me full use of them. Here and here are a couple of very bad pictures (I've cropped them for reasons of vanity

) that still may help you understand what I'm talking about. (The green and yellow is a jacket I'm wearing beneath the cloak; the blue is the skirt of the dress below that.) Here is one showing the cloak hanging open.

The other thing is I'd highly recommend making it in wool. And I don't mean super heavy-duty pea-coat-weight stuff either - that's like making a hobbit dress out of cotton tent canvas!

Besides being the warmest thing going, as well as authentic, it drapes gorgeously and is a dream to sew with. I think the last four things I've made have been of wool! I love this stuff.

And as for the to-do list... *sigh* I need to get back to studying for my history test. Work before play, as always!

Estelyn Telcontar · 03-02-2005, 12:13 PM

I fell in love with Arwen's dress - the one with the fantastic red sleeves down to there - so that's the one I've been dreaming of making. I found a wonderful pattern here and a fantastic fabric - well, two, actually - to use for it. They're both wine red; the one for the sleeves is transparent and pressed into tiny pleats, and the one for the main part of the dress is crinkle-pressed into roses! I hope it turns out as gorgeous as I envision it; alas, other projects have priority, so I will be sewing it in the summer. When I do (and if it turns out, of course!) I'll post pictures...

Lalwendë · 03-02-2005, 05:00 PM

That looks a nice pattern! I was thinking about ideas for making Elven style garments, and cast my mind back to the 80's when customising was more common. To make an Elven top like the one in that pattern, you could easily get a good quality (high lycra content) close fitting T-shirt style top with elbow length sleeves and attach draped sleeves to it, finishing these off with braid, to hide the join and to make the sleeves more elaborate. This could then be worn with a matching long skirt, handy if you're like me and don't tend to suit dresses for some reason!

The cloak I made was constructed from four shoulder 'yokes' with the main body pieces being attached to these, so it was actually quite complicated, and had I seen the pattern that Nuranar posted, then I might have tried that instead! Still, it was worth it as it does hang beautifully from the shoulders and is very 'full'.

I have a pile of lopped Leylandii branches in my garden since the monstrous trees at the back were cut severely back (hurrah, I have daylight again!), and I have been looking at them and wondering if I could use this wood to make anything. Would I be able to construct a staff or some such out of them, or would it be better to have seasoned wood?

mark12_30 · 03-02-2005, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

Would I be able to construct a staff or some such out of them, or would it be better to have seasoned wood?

I like staves made from new wood, peeled and sturdy and flexible. Staves made from seasoned wood are lighter but I think they're more brittle.

Thinlómien · 03-09-2005, 07:37 AM

My friends made me a green cloak, covered a wizard-hat with green fabric and even made a staff for me as a birthday present. I don't know should I be delighted or furious. They think I'm a wizard.

mark12_30 · 03-09-2005, 09:38 AM

Rejoice! The hat isn't glued to your head. The green cloak is great for woodland hilkes, for hobbit, elf, or man. And the staff will double as a walking stick.

mark12_30 · 03-09-2005, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

I was thinking about ideas for making Elven style garments

...and did you have a specific Event in mind, we wonders, we wonders????

Lalwendë · 03-09-2005, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark12_30

...and did you have a specific Event in mind, we wonders, we wonders????

Well, I was thinking of ideas for Tolkien 2005, but since the other day....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

My friends made me a green cloak, covered a wizard-hat with green fabric and even made a staff for me as a birthday present. I don't know should I be delighted or furious. They think I'm a wizard.

Don't be sad about that! A green wizard sounds good!

Estelyn Telcontar · 03-10-2005, 05:38 AM

Well, just in case *someone*

might be looking for an Elven-style wedding dress, there is a white lace version of my pattern to be seen here. It's lovely, with a hood to use as a veil, and cut longer in the back so that it's like a train.

03-02-2005, 11:25 AM	#1
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	Nuranar, you did one of those cloaks by hand? Wow. The reason I hesitate about that pattern is the question can you wrap up in it and be really warm? I want something that keeps me out of the wind, not in it. Soooo... you tell me.... I'm impressed by your to-do list! With few exceptions, such as the cloaks and the archery vambraces (which I needed anyway, getting whacked by a longbow string really hurts) I buy everything. Which means, shopping with an elvish/hobbitish haze over my eyes. If an elf or a hobbit walked into this store and had to buy several outfits, what would they walk out with? I don't sew much... and now I need a new bow! Ack. My black longbow cracked last time I used it. (Shooting in the cold shouldn't be that risky!) __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

03-02-2005, 11:51 AM	#2
Nuranar Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: STILL a drought Posts: 529	Sewing? I love sewing! Well, Helen, your archery skills impress me! I wish I could do that. My brothers have made bows - of a sort - themselves. But we have a very small yard and my mother is (understandably) not too wild about them getting arrows, so they just have to make do. It's been very... interesting at times. About hand-sewing the cloak: Well, the main part is only one piece, cut in a semi-circle. I would've hand-hemmed all those edges anyway, so it wasn't a biggie. The hood was four pieces that could've been machine-sewn faster, but it wasn't too bad. And joining the hood to the body by hand is probably a lot more secure than by machine! I sewed over it twice, very carefully; perhaps even backstitching. Actually, I find hand sewing very relaxing. It's ideal for listening to books on tape or sermons or something. About the pattern: I like the pattern because of the way it hangs open. That means I can wear it around the house without it getting in my hands' way. But just because it hangs open doesn't mean there's not enough material to wrap up in. When I've worn it on reenactments, I've found it useful - and attractive - to swing one side across and pin the edge to my other shoulder. It draps across my neck (you can adjust how high) and hangs very nicely. This drape is also shorter than full length, so it doesn't get in the way of my hands. Actually, it hangs over my arms, keeping them warm but allowing me full use of them. Here and here are a couple of very bad pictures (I've cropped them for reasons of vanity ) that still may help you understand what I'm talking about. (The green and yellow is a jacket I'm wearing beneath the cloak; the blue is the skirt of the dress below that.) Here is one showing the cloak hanging open. The other thing is I'd highly recommend making it in wool. And I don't mean super heavy-duty pea-coat-weight stuff either - that's like making a hobbit dress out of cotton tent canvas! Besides being the warmest thing going, as well as authentic, it drapes gorgeously and is a dream to sew with. I think the last four things I've made have been of wool! I love this stuff. And as for the to-do list... sigh I need to get back to studying for my history test. Work before play, as always! __________________ I admit it is better fun to punt than be punted, and that a desire to have all the fun is nine-tenths of the law of chivalry. Lord Peter Wimsey

03-02-2005, 12:13 PM	#3
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	I fell in love with Arwen's dress - the one with the fantastic red sleeves down to there - so that's the one I've been dreaming of making. I found a wonderful pattern here and a fantastic fabric - well, two, actually - to use for it. They're both wine red; the one for the sleeves is transparent and pressed into tiny pleats, and the one for the main part of the dress is crinkle-pressed into roses! I hope it turns out as gorgeous as I envision it; alas, other projects have priority, so I will be sewing it in the summer. When I do (and if it turns out, of course!) I'll post pictures... __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

03-02-2005, 05:00 PM	#4
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	That looks a nice pattern! I was thinking about ideas for making Elven style garments, and cast my mind back to the 80's when customising was more common. To make an Elven top like the one in that pattern, you could easily get a good quality (high lycra content) close fitting T-shirt style top with elbow length sleeves and attach draped sleeves to it, finishing these off with braid, to hide the join and to make the sleeves more elaborate. This could then be worn with a matching long skirt, handy if you're like me and don't tend to suit dresses for some reason! The cloak I made was constructed from four shoulder 'yokes' with the main body pieces being attached to these, so it was actually quite complicated, and had I seen the pattern that Nuranar posted, then I might have tried that instead! Still, it was worth it as it does hang beautifully from the shoulders and is very 'full'. I have a pile of lopped Leylandii branches in my garden since the monstrous trees at the back were cut severely back (hurrah, I have daylight again!), and I have been looking at them and wondering if I could use this wood to make anything. Would I be able to construct a staff or some such out of them, or would it be better to have seasoned wood? __________________ Gordon's alive!

03-09-2005, 07:37 AM	#6
Thinlómien Shady She-Penguin Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In a far land beyond the Sea Posts: 8,093	My friends made me a green cloak, covered a wizard-hat with green fabric and even made a staff for me as a birthday present. I don't know should I be delighted or furious. They think I'm a wizard. __________________ Like the stars chase the sun, over the glowing hill I will conquer Blood is running deep, some things never sleep Double Fenris

03-09-2005, 09:38 AM	#7
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	Rejoice! The hat isn't glued to your head. The green cloak is great for woodland hilkes, for hobbit, elf, or man. And the staff will double as a walking stick. __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

03-10-2005, 05:38 AM	#10
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Well, just in case someone might be looking for an Elven-style wedding dress, there is a white lace version of my pattern to be seen here. It's lovely, with a hood to use as a veil, and cut longer in the back so that it's like a train. __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...' Last edited by Estelyn Telcontar; 03-10-2005 at 08:12 AM.

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