Arwen's Mourning Gown in progress
Last updated: 12/21/04
Sadly I didn't get this costume done in time for the ROTK midnight premiere back in 2003, though I killed myself trying! LOL. It still has a little bit left to do before it's finally complete, but I decided to make an in progress page to show what I've done so far on it. The neck trim, buttons, and "V" insert is all that's left to do, but it probably won't be done for awhile because I'm making other costumes and will only work on this gown here and there when I have time to tackle the embroidery and beading on this gown again!
Photos courtesy of: Lovely Liv Tyler
Isn't this just a gorgeous dress? I was trying to decide which of Arwen's gowns to make for the ROTK premiere, and this one was my favorite of her dresses at the time (before ROTK!). And the scene it is in is just so meaningful! I also loved it 'cause it was the most "human" in style (when she's Queen of Men) and I tend to lean toward that style (and I love Gondor!)
It is in the small scene in the Two Towers where Elrond tells her what would happen if she chose a mortal life (a flash forward sequence). It is such a beautiful, sad scene.  :0)
Making the Gown
The actual mourning gown is really a midnight blue silk velvet, but it looks black in the movie, so I decided to go that route and used black velvet instead.

I lined my gown halfway (like a slip). I used Simplicity 7964, but butchered it so much I practically drafted my own!!! Lol. (Crazy, I know-since this was my first gown!!! but maybe that's why it took forever... :0) I changed the bodice to be more fitted, altered the neckline, flared and lengthened the gown more (made my own pattern from the waist down-and made a slight "pooling effect" train in the back), split the center front...hmmm I think that's it! 
For the sleeves I basically drafted my own pattern, just using a pattern for the armhole part. The entire sleeve is baglined.

I looked everywhere for the right trim, and found none that could suit the perfectionist in me :0) So I decided to make my own! The embroidery and beading on the sleeves took FOREVER, but I enjoyed every minute of it! I used some trim I found at joanns, cut it up and sewed it to the armband. Then I started beading, using irredescent seed beads like that on the actual gown, making the thistle pattern. Next came the embroidery for the top part of the thistle, and then finally, gold sequins I cut up to imitate a leaf shape (but actually came out looking like small triangles! lol!).

My crown was made using posterboard, newspaper, modpodge, fabric paint, and gold spraypaint.  I'm very happy with how it turned out. :0) I'll add a page on it sometime soon.

I drafted my own pattern for the belt, and it is made from this pretty satin I found at joanns. I wanted to make it out of silk, like the real one is, but couldn't find it anywhere that was the right color. I used the "wrong" side of the satin, that was less "shiny", and I think it came out quite nice.

Well, I still have a little bit left to do, but it's a relief most of it is done! And I did get to wear it a few times- to the LOTR exhibit in August, and for Halloween, for instance. Pics below!

(oh by the way- that's Frodo's costume and traveling cloak for our LOTR film on the other dressform in the back ;0)
In Progress Pics
The pic at the left is of the arm trim compared to a pic of the actual trim. Though here my arm trim is not complete yet. I still needed  to fill in the red more with sequins I cut into leaf-shape, and add some more irredescent seed beads throughout.
(Note: The pics do the trim no justice! The color looks...funny)
Right: The trim before my embroidery, and gold "fill ins" ;0)
Note: my trim is metallic gold-looking, and while the real trim in person is more "aged", I liked the metallic look of it and in the movie it looks metallic (movie lighting!)
Left: The trim laid out on my sleeve.
Right: My sleeve shape
Pics of my *mostly* finished costume
The Crown...please ignore the scary look on my face! Lol! I took the pic by myself.
....And the Gown!
The following pics were taken in my backyard back in August. The quality's not too great, I'll get that fixed up eventually, and my gown didn't lay that prettily on the grass- I'll take better pics of it in the future.
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