This costume has evolved over time. Though I am currently stalled on the main dress, I continue to upgrade/change pieces of this ensemble. You can find the first versions of these pieces below.

Skip to v.1.0 pictures.

First, I traced my design onto the transfer paper included in the kit, then used my fingernail to rub the design onto the rubber stamp. This created only a faint impression so I went over it again with a pen to make it more definite. Using a stamp carving tool, I carved out the negative space around the design and cut away the excess at the corners with an exact-o knife. Not completely satisfied with this, I tried again - see v.2.0 [here].

   

Left to Right: original template, stamp v. 1.0
[up]   [finished costume]

To see v.2.0 of my mantle and head-covering, click [here]. I used a modified cape pattern to create the mantle, simply leaving off the hood and reshaping the front by cutting off a few inches from the center seam. The mantle is made out of a navy blue crepe suiting and lined in baroque satin. For the trim, I was first going to create the pattern overtop blue velvet with white cording (couched into the appropriate design), then fill in the gold spots with embroidery thread. Now, I will print the design much like I am with the velvet for the main body of the dress. For details of this process, click [here]. For a study on the trim for Eowyn's Funeral Mantle, click [here].

           

Left to Right: mantle full, back, front, lining
[up]   [finished costume]

For my first attempt at Eowyn's belt, I took two silver flower belts I found at Wal-Mart and cannabolized them. I painted both of them gold using metal paint and let them dry substantially before glueing the floral pieces to the rings with Super Glue. I did this to give the belt a little more substance - the segments of the original are larger in scale than mine. By glueing the rings to the flowers, I ran out of pieces and the belt no longer went completely around my hips. Instead, I now tie it back with gold cording (not really noticable from the front anyway). I'm not completely happy with it but it will do until I find something more acceptable... And, I did! Click [here] to see belt version 2.0.

       

Left to Right: segments, all pieces, finished belt
[up]   [finished costume]

To see the reference images used to make this costume,
check out my Eowyn Funeral Raiment Research.