Friday, August 1, 2014

My Death Eater Debut!

Okay, my turn!  

Ready to meet Jen, the Death Eater?


HI.


Dramatic pose!

 

Now a better look at the whole outfit:

 

  My costume has quite a few more elements than John's, but it's been fun putting them all together.
  
The cape is the leftover fabric from John's, and is about a third the size of his. There's still plenty for me to swish around, though.

My mask hasn't changed much since you saw it last; I just added more rust streaks:

I grunged up that cheap Time Turner necklace with black paint so it wouldn't be so shiny, and extended the chain.

The shirt is a thrifted sheer blouse with tiny beads & embroidery on the chest, but you can't see the detail at all in photos. (We tried dusting me with Fuller's Earth, but that just made it look like I have a lighter bra showing through on one side. Oops.) 

I cut strips out of the sleeves and poked leather cording through to lace them up again - which adds interest AND lets my dark mark show through:


The mark is an Etsy find: I bought three temporary tattoos for about $5.


The skirt started as two floor-length skirts from the thrift shop: one stretch velvet, and one sheer-with-lining. I hacked them up, also hacked up some black lace, and then sewed them all in strips around the top half of one skirt. I finished by cutting the strips into raggedy pennant shapes. (Ok, so I can sew a little - provided it's supposed to look crooked and shredddy.)

Another thing you can't see well: I sprayed the lace with bronze spray paint in patches, which gives it a nice feeling of age and warmth here and there. I was really keen to avoid solid "new" black. I wanted a little color variation for character.

My wand belt is the same design as John's, although I sewed the holster a bit differently.

(I've had a few requests for a wand holster tutorial, so that's on my "to do" list. Keep asking, though, to remind me!)

Oh, and I'm also wearing my oh-so-comfy Orchard Corset. I tried to avoid getting dust on it, but didn't quite manage. Good thing it brushes off!

And I finished the costume off with some fishnet thigh-highs (how do people wear these things? Most uncomfortable part of the whole costume!) and generously dusted-up boots from my closet.


I think that's everything!

Now here's my hood looking like a beret:
After these pics I sewed in a hair clip to the underside of my hood. Fingers crossed that keeps it from sliding around so much.

Since John and I had to take turns getting in costume and taking photos, sadly we don't have any shots together - but maybe we'll get some today!

Yep, John and I are debuting our costumes today at Leaky Con, so maybe a few of you will see us there!

That is, UNLESS WE SEE YOU FIRST.


Muah-ha-haa!!

Happy weekend, everyone!

40 comments:

  1. That mask is completely terrifying. Fantastic job.

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  2. This is the most bad-ass thing I've seen today. Your attention to detail paid off!

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  3. This is absolutely amazing!

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  4. If you wear fishnets with a solid shoe or a boot I recommend adding a sock under them so they don't cut into your feet or allow your toes to slip through. :-)

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  5. Both of your costumes are AH-mazing as always! :)

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  6. Wonderful!

    You might be interested in these temporary tattoo stencils: http://notquitetattoos.com/theme_harry_potter.html

    In the end, they could work out to be less expensive. And you can get temporary tattoo ink to use with them here: http://www.shopglittertattoos.com/glitter_tattoo_ink_s/46.htm The black is out of stock right now, but they'll get it back.

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    1. And no, I don't own any interest in either of those sites. I'm just a face & body painter & happened to think of them for you.

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  7. Wonderful! Amazing! Gorgeous! I want that skirt! :D

    I really like the third pose from the top. When people want pictures you should consider using that pose.

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  8. You guys both look fantastically terrifying! Love it!! (Looking forward to the wand holster tutorial, too!) :-)

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  9. They are both so awesome, fantastically cool!! One thing you might want to consider doing is wearing a dance tights under the fishnets. They are thicker than regular pantyhose and keep the fishnet from cutting into your legs.

    Good luck and I can't wait to see pictures of the two of you together.

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  10. Just wanted to say you look awesome! And to share that wearing socks under fishnets helps if you're having toe issues, but it looks like Denise above gave you that tip too. :) If it's the scratchy feeling on the rest of your skin that bothers you, you can layer regular hose (or even leggings) under fishnets. Ooooh, maybe some silver or coppery ones under there?

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  11. If it's not a million degrees out (I know fat chance) wear regular pantyhose under the fishnets. WAY more comfy. If that's too hot just wear regular socks underneath - it's usually my feet that are the most uncomfortable. Your outfits are beautiful in a totally creepy way.

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  12. Gorgeous!! I love this so SO much! Your skills for making costumes is mind-blowing! My exclamation marks - let me show you them!

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  13. Holy crap. Your costumes are amazing! The time and energy you put into the details is just inspiring.
    I hope you two have a GREAT time this weekend (and it's not too overly crowded for you). Excited to see pictures, so I can live vicariously through you. It pretty much sucks being clear across the nation.
    --Piper P from Washington State

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  14. Great job on the costume - the cutouts on the sleeves and the skirt are wonderful! Your mask is great as well. I hope you have a wonderful time this weekend! Can't wait to see some pic's.
    RK

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  15. You are both amazing! Thank you so much for sharing with us. Eventually I'm going to make a cool costume based on your tutorials, and I hope when I do I can make it to a con you two are attending and meet you!

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  16. You are both just as cute as a bug in a rug! Is it just me, or do you appear to be levitating somewhat in that second photo? That mask and wand might be working better than expected! Y'all have a great weekend and take LOTS of pics (for us)!

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  17. I know some other people have made suggestions, but mine would be to switch the thigh-highs for full waist fishnets with reinforced toe (so no fishnet at all on your toes, its awesome!) I have a pair and they are way comfortable. I think I got them at Nordstrom back in the day, but I'm sure they're other places. Hope this helps, have fun!

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  18. Beautiful and scary, both of you!

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  19. Sorry this isn't really relevant to this post, but I found this on deviantART and thought you might like to see it:
    http://www.deviantart.com/art/Steampunk-Raven-469148579

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  20. SO fantastic! Love the mask, love the outfit, love the wand and holster, love the jewelry! You've created another awesome costume, Jen!

    I also love the tree that you guys often use as a background for your photos. You're so lucky to have a huge gorgeous oak like that.

    Great photos, John, and nice photo editing, Jen.

    By the way, I tried, for the first time ever, to wear a pair of thigh-highs (not fishnets, of course) to a wedding recently. It was an outdoor wedding (Florida in July, ugh), and I knew it would be way too hot for regular pantyhose. Jeezus. As soon as I put the thigh-highs on, I took them right back off. Yeah, I don't know how anyone can wear them either. Maybe it's just short girls with short legs who can't handle it. I'm a fellow shortie, and they were basically crotch-height and the band was tourniquet-ing into my normal-size thighs and forming some really unsexy lumps and bulges all the way around, above and below the band. I guess taller girls can wear them lower on their thighs where there's less meat. Anyway, hope you were able to deal with your uncomfortable thigh-high fishnets so they didn't ruin your fun at LeakyCon.

    Can't wait to see the photos from your busy weekend and hear all about the adventures.

    KW

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    1. Thigh highs with the elastic band to hold them up are disasters for tall girls, too. The better way to go is thigh highs with a garter belt. Feels waaaaay more comfortable, and you get the hang of the clasps pretty quickly. I third?, fourth? the socks under the fishnets. I've also used Dr. Scholl inserts inside the stockings before, and that worked well.

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  21. Love both the costumes, especially the wand holsters! The more I look at your mask though the more I see a really sad (rather than scary) deatheater...I think it might be the rust that looks like tears or something :D Lol

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  22. I'm sure you were a HUGE hit today. Can't wait to see pics and hear about the feedback on your costumes. Fantastic jobs!!!

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  23. Looking back at John's outfit, I think a black or silver cummerbund would look really cool.

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  24. Thigh highs with the silicone rubber to stay up there are the worst stuff out there. I have given up on those after about three tries. They cut into the thighs uncomfortably and still etch their way down when you are walking with them. I heard the kind of thigh highs that have to go on with suspenders are less comfortable for sitting around but way better for walking. Most comfortable would still be a pantyhose.

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  25. Thigh-high stay-ups are dreadful - but I guess you were wearing a corset so probably couldn't do suspenders as well. I like wig clips for holding headdresses on if the hairclip lets you down.

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  26. You look amazing! I'm so jealous! Have lots of fun!

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  27. I saw the photo at leaky con on facebook and it looks so fun! this costume is EPIC :)

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  28. That is one seriously scary mask and an amazing costume!

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  29. Your mask is much scarier than John's for certain! The whole costume looks great!

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  30. Fantastic! I love your masks. You inspire me so much! A tip from a thigh high lover and a short fat girl; I get the tall thigh highs. Since I am not a tall, they come up to the crease of my leg thigh pelvis whatever area and sit there comfortably all day and I get no chub rub with my thigh meat poking over the band. Keep up the fantastic work, you guys could start a new business, your costumes are so good!

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  31. You guys rock!!! I wish I could be there to admire you in person!

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  32. Awesome costume!

    $5.00 eh? What Etsy store did you get the tattoos from? I think I'm about to have some fun...

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  33. Your skirt(s) caught my eye first. Can't believe it's parts from three! LOL about being able to sew if it's supposed to look ratty. My next favorite thing is the dark mark. Awesome! I'm glad you worked a corset into your design and hope that it contributes to a fun-tabulous day!

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  34. Don't forget to seal your mask very well with several thin layers of matte spray varnish like verathane (VERY thin, or it looks frosty and nasty), rust isn't good for your skin. Those costumes are amazing! Have you considered, for the fishnets, actually sewing them to a fabric band with eyelets - then modify some bicycling shorts to lace them to that? In period costuming hose were laced to an upper garment, they were reasonably close to skin snug but without elastic lacing was the way to go.

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  35. These are so creative and very well done! You both look fabulous! I love the wand holsters, and the tatoo behind the lacing on your sleeves was a great touch!

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  36. Loved meeting you both! Definitely going to use your tutorial to make masks and wands for my guy and I. I posted the picture I took of you both to your Facebook so at least you will have a couple in costume together :-)

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  37. stay up thigh highs with that rubber inside the tops are honestly the worst. They only ever fit people with SUPER slim legs. I always cut the tops off if they have rubber and, since I'm wearing a garter belt most of the time I wear fishnets, I hook the garter straight to the fishnet. You can also attempt to simply remove the rubber and leave the lace tops, but that has always driven me nuts. In the end, I recommend the ones that go over your butt and have a waistband. Way more comfy. (Although if you end up lacing them to bikeshorts like Elena recommended I wanna see!)

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  38. Thigh-highs are tough! I wear legging style tights whenever possible, so that my feet don't pull the tights down. A garter belt is always useful, but make sure your panties are on the outside (details, details!). Also, make sure you wear socks then the fishnets and maybe more socks (depending on type) if you have boots on as the fishnets can be very painful after a day on your feet. My BFF said I was "that" librarian for my straight skirts and knee high boots and fishnets...

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