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An Unexpected Cosplay (A Hobbit costume to meet some Hobbits)

 I am getting back into comic conventions this year, after the blip. My roommate is a huge Lord of the Rings fan. She has had tickets to meet the actors behind the four main hobbits. I have known that this photo op would be happening for months and months. Years, really. They had to cancel their appearances for the last two years. So naturally, I waited to make a costume until the week before. Oops.


My roommate and I scoured thrift stores for several hours, trying to find me something appropriately Hobbit-like. At the first store we visited, I found a pink wool size 4 shell blouse. Now, I am not a size 4 any more. But I couldn’t resist it for just $1.  I cut i down the front and down the back. For the front, I wanted some decorative elements. I found some coordinating materials in my stash and set to work. I added an extra strip of fabric down the front to add some room. Then, I topstitched a triangle panel on top to cover that mess. Then, I added some ribbon for some faux lacing and some lace trim to finish it all off. For the back, I simply used bias binding for the raw edges and set in the eyelets for lacing. I am honestly not pleased with my work here. It’s so slap-dash and haphazard. I will be making a new top from scratch for sure, for the next time I want to wear this costume. I love the color, but not the bodice itself. I should be able to find some new light pink wool. 


The skirt is also from the thrift store. I paid $5.79, so still quite affordable. It’s a lovely shade of green. It’s not quite as full as I would like, but it will do for now. It has two layers, with a solid lining fabric and a semi-sheer top fabric. It has gathered horizontal layers as well. Overall, it’s charming.



The frilly blouse is from my Pirate Belle costume. I must say, I love having a whole costume closet now. I can pull different pieces from various costumes for new looks. This blouse looked very Hobbit-like to me. Perhaps when I have more time, I can source or sew a short sleeve blouse. Long sleeve blouses don’t seem to be in fashion as much with Hobbits. Or maybe all the Lord of the Rings movies are set in summer. Either way. The shoes are just simple ballet flats. (I’m not down with the whole barefoot thing, and it’s against convention rules anyway)  I bought them for my fairy costume at Wal-Mart for maybe $10. Simple and sweet, and perfect for wearing to Second Breakfast.



I had such a wonderful time at the convention. Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, and Dominic Monaghan were all so kind. My friends and I went up to take this photo, and Elijah Wood took out his own phone to take our picture! It was so funny and unexpected. And then Sean Astin asked to borrow the pipe from my friend Mike for the photo.  



Yours in hard work, creativity, and a dash of Pixie Dust


Sarah



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