197: Errol and Hermione

It's time for this year's Halloween creations... a continuation of our Harry Potter mania.

I didn't really have to make much for Aurora's Hermione Granger costume, because I had already made most of it for her birthday party.

But, Theo decided to be Errol (The Weasley family's owl. He couldn't be Hedwig because she's a girl.)  That was more of a challenge.

In reality he first wanted to be a Chihuahua, but really?  How exactly does one make that?  I mean I can do pointy ears, but he'd just look like a cat.  So with some mild suggestion he went with owl.  Yay!  So much cute potential.

So, no, I did not use a pattern.  I referenced a hood on a commercial pattern, but that's about it.  I started with this Beenie Babies owl called "Hoot" I have and used it as a model.

The body is made of fleece.  It's lined and stuffed with polyfill and batting.  The tail does stick out a bit and has more stuffing.  Then I added the "feathers".  They are flannels, fleeces, and wools and because I didn't want some to fray more than others I fray checked all the edges.  Yes, I'm psycho like that.

They are sewn on everywhere but around the face (where they are glued).  I also added little pleats in the tops of each one to add volume.

The body is velcroed (is that a word?) at the shoulders, as are the removable wings.  There were even little pockets to keep his hands warm (which was a good idea considering that, indeed, that is snow on the ground).

He was a big hit everywhere we went.  He had two Halloween parades and he was able to go trick-or-treating this year (he was sick last year).

 

Aurora was an adorable Herminone.  I had attempted to make the cloak accurate to the movie, but really did you know they change from movie-to-movie?  So I went with my best interpretation.  The patch was bought.  The tie was made (I even made the striped fabric by sewing on ribbons) because the color of the commercial ones was all wrong.  The sweater was from a thrift store with ribbons sewn at the collar.

I made the wand also, which I will go into on the posts about her party, whenever they are.  Sadly, it was a casualty of the night as it got dropped and ruined.

The funnest (don't care that that's not a word) accessory was the book.  It was an old book, and we didn't bother to change the title or anything.  But what we did do was make it scream when you opened it.  I bought one of those recordable greeting cards and we all yelled really loud and told you to "shut the book, would ya!".  The idea was like it was one of the magical books from the restricted section of the library.  She loved it and enjoyed showing it to all her classmates.  Plus, who is Hermione without a book?

Hope you had a Happy Halloween!

JT

 

 

Comments

[Tina in Boston]

What lucky little children! I think I've already told you you are the best mommy ever! I'm almost wanting to be adopted! :)

[Jen Richards]

OK, I so rarely actually do comments on blogs, because I usually get a horrible error mssg on my computer, but just had to write when I saw your amazing costumes! Wow! You did such a great job! The owl is just amazing! And even more so, because I have some tiny inkling of how much work must have gone into it! And teh screaming book is genius! Such lucky kids!!!

[Jenna / liveformemories]

These are AMAZING!!!
My mum always made the BEST Halloween costumes for us, heck... I still get her to help now sometimes! Her costumes for us are some of my favourite things from growing up.
I'm sure Errol & Hermione will feel the same ;)

[Rae]

SO great!!! Fantastic job on these. Esp that owl. DAMN!!!

[♥Duff]

these are the best costumes I've seen in a LONG time. the detail, thought, and effort you put into the Errol costume was well worth it--it's amazing! I'm so glad your little guy Theo was able to wear it a couple of times. And Aurora, what a sweet smile--she's a perfect young wizard-dess!

[Nanna]

Amazing costumes. Love both Errol and Hermione.

[Sequana]

When I saw that you fray checked the edges of all those feathers, I thot..."Well, these are definitely the costumes of the year on the blogs."

I can envision your grandchildren and great grandchildren in these! Even for YOU, these are really something.

[Vicki]

Both costumes are absolutely fantastic! And the book was pure genius.

[Tabitha O.]

I love those costumes, fantastic job all around....and I keep going back to 'you fray checked all those feathers' lol lol

[Rose]

best Halloween costumes of the year. What a wonderful job and look at the thrilled look on there faces.

[Stephanie Soebbing]

You really outdid yourself on that owl costume.

[Amy C]

Super cute costumes. Your kids are adorable. Nice job Mom!

[Andrew J]

OMG, these the cutest ever! That owl is BRILLIANT!

[Jenean]

Oh, my gosh, this post makes me SOOOOOO happy!!!! And that photo of the back of the sweet little owl might be one of my all-time favorite photos! Adorable costumes, adorable kids!!

[Rachael]

Well, and I thought I was just little miss Mommy of the year for making my daughter's "Cindabrella" costume using the pattern and everything. LOL (She was a doll baby, though. I did a whole photo shoot of her "losing" her glass slipper...<3)

You never. ever. cease to amaze me. Or make me feel like I should just stop trying because I can't be that good no matter how hard I try! LOLOL

This is why you get to write a book and I get to read other people's books. LOL