For next year's Sakuracon, I am attempting to make a Magus costume. I'm starting a year ahead of time (and I already bought some of the materials days after the last convention ended), so that I can give it the love and attention to detail it deserves. I've purchased leather to make the breastplate, codpiece, and possibly gloves, and some wool and velvet to make the cape.
I'm already working on the cape. I'm about halfway done with it, but I need the expert advice that can only be found here! For this project, I have to sew the wool to the velvet with the right sides together, then turn it inside out so nobody sees those ugly seams. Problem is, a part of it will have to be left open so I can actually turn it, then be sewn by hand. The wool and velvet are rather thick, so I will need a large-ish gap to pull everything through.
The options are a spot in front that will be covered up, but I'm afraid it will be too small for turning and the seam might break. I could also do a larger gap in the bottom hem, but this will leave a large, visible seam. It's possible to hide that seam with gold coloured satin blanket binding or trim, but the question is, is that Magus-y/Zealian enough?
After this part of the cape is turned and hemmed, I will make a mini capelet with tassels and a hood to wear on top for the Prophet part.
Once that is done, I should have enough of the blue wool left to make the cummerbund.
The next items on the list are the breastplate and codpiece. I've never worked with leather before, but I've done plenty of research. It will all have to be hand sewn.
The pants will be simple enough, just a poly-rayon blend linen-look fabric. I have yet to decide whether to go with a light lavender or a darker maroon.
For the amulet, I have a friend who works with metal. She has already agreed to help me make it.
The boots will take a while longer to find, as I'm no cordwainer. New Age or renaissance themed stores are bound to have something suitable. The metal bits on the shoes and pants leg can also be provided by my blacksmith friend - or, if that proves too impractical/painful, some sort of laminated aluminum. Gloves, if I can't make them out of the leather I have, will be obtained the same way.
The scythe will also be outsourced (I don't have a large enough lathe, nor sufficient woodworking skills). I already have a commission and payment plan set up with a propmaker to craft and mail it.
The red contact lenses and elf ears are a little on the expensive side, but easily obtainable.
The hair will be one of the harder parts, when it comes to the widow's peak. I can easily dye my hair, but I don't know if hairspray can work its magic this time. Research on wigs or hair styling will come later.
There will be other additions like a leather belt pouch or glass bottle (kind of like CuteLucca's fanart) for extra detail, if I have time.
Edit: And I just realized I forgot the earrings. There is a vendor at the local farmer's market who can make earrings out of crocodile fangs. I think those would be a good addition, rather than the generic triangles.
The whole ensemble is estimated to be upwards of $600 or $700.
This post will be updated with progress photos and other little tidbits that I may have forgotten. Any advice or critique is welcomed, as I wish to make this perfect. For the glory of the Fiendlord!
Current progress on the cape:
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c183/ZephyrAnalea/CT/capeInsideOut.jpg?t=1307643814
