The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
One of the most wonderful things I did growing up was reading the Narnia series. It was a joy to see the characters brought to life in the latest movie. It wasn't hard to decide that we needed to do these costumes.
To start with, If you click here you will find my movie opening night report. Those are the first versions of these outfits we made. These most recent photos (done in little slideshows for you) were taken at Hats Off Day in Burnaby when we quickly remade the outfits once more. What did we change and why?... Well...
(click name of character for slideshow)
The first time we made this dress we made it with a readily available suit fabric but the fabric did not allow me to bend or move my arm in order to 'shoot' an arrow. When I took this pose the blood in my arm would be cut off and it would fall asleep. The fabric also hung heavily on my body which allowed very little movement. We found a light cotton fabric that was more ideal for both Lucy and Susan and remade both outfits using this fabric. It responded well to movement and provided enough give in order to move my arm where ever it needed to.
The drawback with the fabric still is that is bunches under the belt (Working on a few possibilities on fixing that). We provided the belt with a belt loop but I think it needs to be a little higher but the problem still lies with the fact that the front still pulls up. We have to create a shaped belt for this in order to keep it from doing this. I also think that my 'shape' needs a dart somewhere on the bustline so that the 'bunching' in the chest is decreased. The sleeves will also need to be pulled back apart. For some reason the two layers did not go together as well as expected. I hope to be able to either replace the lining with something else or make a new lining, thus solving the problems.. I hope.
We had intended to have the detailing done (Tiff has fallen in love with stitching details) but ran out of time so we used fabric paint.
The quiver and horn details that we discovered were silver (instead of gold) we repainted. We hope to remake the bow, in the future, so that I can actually put a bowstring on it and draw it instead of using elastic. Narnia like arrows have now been added but a better 'quiver support' needs to be designed in order to keep it from sliding down my back.
(click name of character for slideshow)
The first time we made this dress we made it with a spot stretch fabric but the fabric piled quickly and it was as good as 'fuzzy' when Tiff pulled it out of her closet for this event. We found a light cotton fabric that was more ideal for both Lucy and Susan and remade both outfits using this fabric. It responded well to movement and doesn't look as if it will pile.
We had intended to have the detailing done (Tiff has fallen in love with stitching details) but ran out of time so we used fabric paint.
The little strap that was holding Tiff's vial on kept snapping so with some hotglue, a little gold cord and craft foam we whipped up a pouch, loosely based on the movie one, for her vial. Tiff did get time to do the detailing on the front of her cloak and hopes to get the chance to finish the rest one day.
(click name of character for slideshow)
Tumnus required the smallest amount of adjustments. We seem to always be fine tuning the support in the hooves but the only changes we made this time was the extra bit of fringe on the top and and the addition of a bit of 'hair' on the backs of the ears. In future we not only hope to do a molded arch support in his hooves but add the 'back hair', finally get to doing the nose, dye/paint the upper fringe a little more 'beige' and get it away from the 'grey' it shows as on camera and consider another wig.
Two things discovered at the parade. 1. Tumnus needed lots of sunblock. 2. Sunblock gets rid of spirit gum. Put the block on first then wait for it to soak in before adding fur.
(click name of character for slideshow)
The only change Peter had to make to his outfit was the addition of the mock chain mail to his sleeves. He whipped up a quick back strap for his sword which will need some fussing with. He is looking forward to the proper gloves and slowly adding little details in order to complete the look.
Don't forget to read:
Scrapbook entry Susan and Peter
Christina's Narnia report at Narnia web.com
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