Daenerys Targaryen Costume: Khaleesi

Winter is Coming. 

So I decided to be an over achiever and make a Khaleesi costume from scratch for Halloween this year. It was not an easy task, and not cheap. First, I could not find a single person in the Los Angeles area that owned a sewing machine that I could borrow. So, I ended up buying a Brother CS6000i sewing machine from Amazon. It was originally about $450 and I got it for $150 because apparently September is "sewing month." Who Knew?!

After I finally got the machine to help us create this glorious costume, Kathryn Begle, who was the brains behind this operation, and I went to Jo-Ann Fabrics to buy all the fabrics, muslin and thread we needed. Luckily, Kathryn already owned an impressive sewing kit with pins, needles, seam ripper, etc. The picture above shows the sewing machine I bought, the burlap fabric for the top and front section of the skirt, the tan fabric for the main part of the skirt, a light fabric for the top of the skirt and a small piece of dark brown fabric I used for the gloves.

For the top, I bought a cheap strapless bra and Kathryn sewed the burlap fabric to it so I would have some structure to it. I braided strips of the burlap and used that as the lining at the top and for the strap to go around my neck. I had 2 layers of burlap sewed onto the front part and cut them unevenly into a V shape to look similar to Khaleesi's outfit. I used this website: http://screencapped.net/tv/gameofthrones/ to find screen captured shots of Khaleesi wearing different outfits and from different angles. These were my main inspirations.

The Top

 

The Skirt

 

Pants

From Macy's

 

Gloves

I distressed the burlap using a seam ripper. I would randomly cut parts and pull out the burlap to make it look snagged and worn. I tried using make up to give the dirty look to my skirt, but it clearly looked like make up smeared on it. So, I went outside and put dirt in a cup and got it damp and whipped or dabbed it onto my skirt to make it look dirty.
I went all out and made the gloves that Khaleesi wears, like once, in the show. I used snaps on one side of the gloves to make them fit around my wrists.

The Wig was by far the most expensive part of the entire costume. I reallllly wanted to make my own hair white, because I knew it would have looked way better. I tried using soft chalk, but it didn't really show up on my hair. I also tried using white hair spray, but it just made it look gray and sticky. So, I knew I would end up having to buy a wig, sadly.

I went to Hollywood Wigs off Hollywood Blvd after reading great reviews on Yelp. (I have also written one myself). The lady there, Christine, knows her stuff and was very helpful. I was able to email her pictures of Khaleesi's wig and hairstyle. She was able to style it by putting in 2 braids for me and loose curls. I thought it looked great from the back, but kinda mullet-like / old fashioned judge-like from the front.

I even had a baby dragon! =)

My Washi Tape Wall

Hi again!

Remember I said I'd have another project to post using Washi Tape? This is it!

What is Washi Tape, you ask? (I didn't know either...until recently).

Washi 和紙 is a style of Japanese paper tape that started in Japan, but manufacturing has now spread throughout the world. Washi comes from wa meaning Japanese and shi meaning paper, and the term is used to describe paper made in the traditional manner, regardless of where it’s manufactured.

It is really growing in popularity. Washi tape comes in so many colors and patterns. I bought a Washi Tape Pack from Cutetape.com. Also, Etsy.com has many shops selling Washi Tape as well. You can use Washi tape for decorating just about anything because, like masking tape, it is not permanent. Many people use it for wrapping presents as well.

 

I bought the Classiky Washi Tape 12 pack because I loved the variety of colors. I found inspiration to use it on my wall from this lady's blog: annkelle.com. I love her site! It's so bright and colorful...which is right up my alley.

Like her, I did not plan out the color order. I liked the randomized colors. She also pointed out that washi Tape is very forgiving. So true. It stays sticky even if you have to peel it off a few times to get it straight. It isn't rip-able like regular masking tape. I used scissors to cut the ends. 

I love how my wall turned out! It brings a splash of color to my room without the commitment of paint.  It's a great way of decorating an apartment! I'm already planning on using my Washi tape in other parts of my apartment, if my roommate gives me permission. ;)

Masking Tape Makeover

Ello Govena'! 

Once again I have to thank Pinterest for inspiring this project of mine. I never thought of using Masking Tape as form of decoration until I found this pin: 23 Ideas For Apartment Decorating. Scroll down and you'll see the kitchen decorated with black tribal looking designs. I thought this was an amazing idea. It's cheap and not permanent. You can easily remove it when you move out of your apartment.

My roommate and I are always looking for ways to bring life to our very bland, neutral, blah colored apartment. I thought, using colorful masking tape would be a great way to bring a splash of color to our kitchen area. I used 5 different colors of Scotch Expressions Masking Tape, and regular blue painters masking tape. I had to go to a few different stores (Staples, Micheals, Office Max, Home Depot) to find different colors. It seems to becoming more popular and Scotch has now made many different colors and patterns of Washi Tape. (I recently ordered a pack of Washi Tape on Cutetape for a future project to do in my room. =D Stay Tuned)!


This was my Summer project that I finally finished today! It was a slow process because I kept running out of pattern ideas! I had to look at magazines and on Pinterest for inspiration.

 I decided to get fancy with one of the cabinets and created a beach picture. It was very time consuming. I spent many hours sitting on the couch watching Netflix cutting masking tape into these designs. I thought they turned out really well!

So far everyone who has seen my kitchen in person loves it! I'm so happy it's finally finished! Hope this has inspired you and your next project.

Be seeing you,