I fell in love with Narnia early. I read The Lion Witch and the Wardrobe and the Magician’s Nephew on repeat for a few years.
Then the movies came out, and I loved them too. So much. I always thought I’d make Susan’s green dress from the first movie.
But then I fell in love with the what I’ve come to know as the “Farewell Dress.” The dress Susan wears as she bids both Caspian and Narnia farewell.
It’s so beautiful, and graceful, and just… wow.
Okay, that’s enough gushing.
I got pretty much all my reference pictures from The Wardrobe Door, which seems to have been expired/taken down, so I’ll just link you to my Pinterest board with all the links I could find on it from there and various other sources.
So starting in 2014, I made an “underdress”, two corsets (not to be worn at once), an overdress, and a quiver.
Here’s my intro post from way back in 2013, when I still thought I’d be going to SDCC. (Spoiler alert, it didn’t happen…)
Let’s start with the quiver. Because I feel like it.
I made it out of leather, though it was still patterned after the “ivory” version. Here’s part 1, and then part 2. I have to say, I am very proud of this make.
Alright, next up is the first corset. I used a Big4 pattern for this, which was meant to be a bustier style for outerwear, and it was not actually made for corseting purposes… It was boned with zip ties, which are a nice alternative, but nothing like the steel boning I’d use in the future. Which means the corset later was replaced. Not sad, it was a learning experience.
Next up is the “underdress.” I used a white on white quilting cotton, and didn’t have enough to make a full shift/dress. So I made a looooooong pleated skirt, and some fake sleeves that would be attached to the corset.
Then I made an overdress out of some light blue satin from Fabric.com, and some fabric paint. I handpainted that sucker for what felt like weeks… Probably it was really a weekend, but it felt like weeks! I think that was also when I fell in love with Jacquard Lumiere fabric paint… Ah, memories.
Then to celebrate finishing the overdress, I had an awesome photoshoot with a friend of mine in the Wilson Library on UNC Chapel Hill’s campus. It’s a beautiful place that is so quiet, and we couldn’t stop giggling, so we took the pictures and ran out before the librarians could.
Right before DragonCon2016 I made a new corset, which was waaaaaaay more comfy than the first.
And lastly, I wore it to my first DragonCon on Sunday. It was an excellent day, though I should’ve prepared more with the corset.
And that wraps up Susan! I love this costume, and I’m so happy that it has a place in my memories, and my life.
