Sophie Hatter {Ending Dress}
Series: Howl's Moving Castle
Debut: Anime Oasis 2006
Competitions: None
Awards: None
Status: Completed

I was charmed by Sophie the moment I saw her in Howl's Moving Castle, which subsequently has become one of my very favorite movies of all time. I love the kind of brave person she is, and how she keeps going even when bad things happen. It's also one of the most charming love stories I've ever encountered; I'm fully enchanted. ^^

I used a lovely linen-look 'amaretto' solid that had the perfect hand and color for the dress, and a cotton muslin for the chemise and bloomers (which, of course, you can't see... but they're there. XD). The apron is a little heavier, rougher woven cotton. I also purchased a simply excellent wig for the short silver hair, and I'm really pleased with it. The costume is completed with black stockings and slightly heeled brown shoes that I found for an excellent deal at the ARC! ^^ I love secondhand. My serger was indispensable in this project, as the rayon-poly blend had a tendency to fray and be.. fuzzy.

I'm very proud of the work on this costume, the clean lines and finishing work that I was able to do was very gratifying. ^^ I did have to draft the top twice, but I think the extra work really paid off. The skirt, which you can't see the gathers at the waist, was hand 'pleated' and took about two hours all together (or, actually, four episodes of Mermaid Melody. XD), but like the redraft of the top, was totally, totally worth it. There's even a pocket in the left hand seam of the skirt. ^^ For the update adding new photos, I'm also wearing the brown contacts, and I think they really add that last final touch of AWESOME. They seemed very striking compared to my usual very light green eye color. ^^

This costume made its debut at Anime Oasis 2006.

Photos 1-4 courtesy of Consplayers.