[Skip to finished costume.]

We modified the cloak pattern so the hood was rounded in the back rather than pointed (no tassle, thankyouverymuch). The sleeves we widened and lengthened dramatically and given a little flare at the end. We're too cheap to line the robe nicely, but all edges were finished with a simple rolled hem. The cloak is held together by a pretty silver clasp we found at Joanns.

           

Left to Right: full, front, sleeve, with patch
[up]   [finished costume]

We searched and searched for a knee length pleated gray skirt that wouldn't cost an arm and a leg. Unsuccessful, we resigned ourselves to making them. We used a cheerleading pattern that you can find at any fabric store and made sure that the skirt had knife pleats, like those used in the movie. I found a wonderful gray fabric at Walmart as well as all of the notions. The skirt went together fairly easily, except we had to mark our stitching lines a few times because our tailor's chalk kept rubbing off with all of the handling. That was annoying, but otherwise a good pattern to use. We also ended up making the skirts a bit longer than the actual movie costume, so they're slightly more conservative and in line with the university student theme.

   

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

After some thought, I decided I'd give making a tie a try since I had some leftover black and white crepe from a few previous projects. I cut out 1 1/2" squares from both colors and used my serger to sew them together so the hems would all be finished at the same time. I used a tie I bought from Goodwill for $1 as a pattern (picked it apart and ironed it flat first) and, once I had all of the checks finally sewed together, the rest of the tie finished fairly easily. In these pictures, my ironing board clashes with the tie something fierce. I probably should have photographed it on the carpet, but oh well. :) Naturally, after I finished making the tie I found an awesome checked men's tie at Walmart for $2.50! Story of my life... Also another possible option is this black and white striped tie from Josens Uniforms.

       

Left to Right: full, flat, detail
[up]   [finished costume]

I found all of my wand components at Michaels, as well as the feather for my quill. The wand components were glued together and then spray painted black. For the gold detailing, I used three dimensional metallic paint, and then sealed them with a clear coat. I merely cut the end of the feather at a slant for the 'quill'. The black messenger bag I found on a summer trip to Paris, France. I added the Hogwarts patch (also from Patch Palace).

I also made black velvet bags from leftover scraps of my Arwen Blood Red Dress jumper. I wanted to protect the glass jars when they were in my messenger bag from possibly breaking by clinking together. The fabric was cut into simple rectangles, sized according to the dimensions of each jar. I first used my serger to sew the main seams. Then, I turned down the top opening an inch or so and hand-sewed it securely. The thin black ribbon for the ties is from the stash, and the beads were purchased from Walmart on clearance. The beads were threaded on the thin ribbon with a needle and secured by tying a knot in the ribbon above and below each bead cluster. Each tie was then tacked into place by hand.

           

       

Left to Right: satchel with accessories; velvet bags for accessories, detail; wand unpainted, painted, with gold detail
[up]   [finished costume]

Worn Halloween 2007 with my socks and shoes from my POA-style costume (it was cold!). To see more pictures of the final costume on me, click [here]. You'll also find a few pictures of the costume test there (taken before all components were completely finished).

   

Left to Right: with robe and scarf; uniform
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To see the reference images used to make this costume,
check out my Harry Potter Student Research.