After developing a costume for a university student, I decided that I did in fact want a canon Harry Potter costume. With the release of the Prisoner of Azkaban movie, the majority of costume accessories are now geared toward the newer costumes (different ties, robes, scarves, etc). So thus my decision to make a POA student uniform rather than the more traditional student costume from the first two movies. :)

[Skip to in-progress costume.]

A black nearly-floor-length robe with an interesting button closure in the front. The robes have facings in their house color (maroon for Gryffindor) and then the remainder of the cloak is lined in black. The cloak also has a hood and of course, the house patch. I'll be modifying a Simplicity cloak pattern - the same one that I used for my university student costume. I plan to line the cloak entirely but this will naturally hinge on whether I can find lining in the correct color or not.

COMING SOON

Left to Right: -
[up]   [finished costume]

I made Hermoine's gray wrap skirt using Starfire Phoenix's tutorial (with a few changes). My waist is rather tiny in proportion to my hips, so I had to curve the front and back waist in order to get the skirt to fall nicely. By doing this, I also had to curve the front and back hem (so the sides are shorter than the middle). I also changed the pleating at the hips from 2" wide to only 1" wide. The 2" pleats only served to draw more attention to my generous hips. Finally, I partially stitched the pleats closed (from the waistband to the fullest part of my hips, leaving the remainder of the pleats free), and this also helped maintain a slim line. Compare the muslin pictures on me and the final pictures of the skirt. ;) I know that's not strictly movie canon, but it's what looked best on my body type! Other than those minor changes, I found the tutorial very helpful and love how the finished skirt turned out!

           

Left to Right: muslin laid flat front, back; muslin on me front, side
[up]   [finished costume]

I made the skirt from the material leftover from my university student skirt (which I found for a steal at Walmart for $2/yd.). This will ensure that the skirt matches the sweater I already have - I use the same for both costumes as well as my white button down shirt.

               



Left to Right: front, side, back, front overlap, pleat, on me
[up]   [finished costume]

I purchased the tie from Wizardties.com. The patches are from Patch Palace. Looks like the best option for the POA "trapped bar" scarf is Wizardknits.com, which I ordered from and am very pleased with - I think I'll be using my scarf for everday wear in the winter! I finally found a decent pair of Mary Janes at Walmart for $20. The black messenger bag I found on a summer trip to Paris, France to which I added the Hogwarts patch (from Patch Palace). I use this to carry all of my accessories: potions bottles, wand, and quill.

       

Left to Right: scarf with tie and house patches on skirt fabric; shoes; accessories
[up]   [finished costume]

• White button down long sleeve shirt
• Gray sweater - found at JCPenny's for $10; I decided against adding ribbon to the neck and hem so it can double with my university student costume
• Mary Jane shoes - found at Walmart for $20
• Gray knee length socks - found at Walmart for $5
• Wand and Quill - same ones used for my university student costume
• Accessories - some great glass bottles found at Michaels; I found a plain black messenger bag to carry everything in and attached a Hogwarts Patch

For more pictures of the costume on me and on a dressform, click [here].

COMING SOON

Left to Right: -
[up]

To see the reference images used to make this costume,
check out my Harry Potter Student Research.