“There he lay, a vast red-golden dragon, fast asleep; a thrumming came from his jaws and nostrils, and wisps of smoke, but his fires were low in slumber. Beneath him, under all his limbs and his huge coiled tail, and about him on all sides stretching away across the unseen floors, lay countless piles of precious things, gold wrought and un-wrought, gems and jewels, and silver red-stained in the ruddy light. Smaug lay, with wings folded like an immeasurable bat, turned partly on one side, so that the hobbit could see his underparts and his long pale belly crusted with gems and fragments of gold from his long lying on his costly bed.” -The Hobbit by J.R. Tolkien
I first read “The Hobbit” just a few years ago at the ago and I loved it. But when Tolkien described Smaug all I could think of is “I want to make a costume like that”. I thought a lot about it, I came up with ideas in my head and once I saw “The Hobbit An Unexpected Journey” I had to make this costume. Soon after I knew that the second movie would have Smaug in it and decided there and then that I was going to be Smaug if “she” took human form and wear it to the midnight release. So I began with a sketch.
Concept Sketch
The Process
I then made a Barbie sized concept of the outfit with sample fabrics and muslin. I drafted the pattern for the corset from an existing corset pattern and the dress from a sloper pattern. I ended with a muslin version of my dress and corset that I then used it to cut out my pattern in the fashion fabric. The corset was fitted to my liking then I added boning and a gold lining. I then began my frantic search for the perfect fabric for my dress. I wanted a fabric that was worthy of the Great and Magnificent Smaug. Once I found it I used my pattern to cut the dress out and finished it with in one day, horsehair hem and all.
Finished Corset Front
Finished Corset Back
Dress Front
Dress Side
Dragon Wings
I can’t be a dragon without wings. So I sketched out several concept sketches and began to acquire materials. I used one-eighth inch fiberglass rods for the support and wooden dowels for a harness to keep them upright on my body. I coved the rods with faux leather and the wing webbing was cotton. The claws for the wings were sfx horns bought at the Halloween store. I then burnt the edges of the wing webbing to add character and my wings are done.
Wings
Fun at the Ren Faire
For my premiere I wore this at the Renaissance Faire. I designed the make-up and after 2 hours of prepping my hair for the wig, doing my makeup, attaching fake nails, dawn my horns, and dress in my costume I was ready to go. I got great compliments and lots of conversations about my costume. A few people even wanted pictures with me. I was very flattered that all my hard work paid off to be a great day. I can’t wait to wear it to the midnight premiere of “The Hobbit The Desolation of Smaug” on December 13th.
Close-up
Costume Front
Costume Back
Related costumes:
Smaug and Legolas Couple Costume from the Hobbit 
Girl on Fire Katniss Everdeen Wedding Gown Costume 
Coolest Dragon Costume 
Handmade Labyrinth Costume: Sarah and Jareth 
Awesome Homemade Falcor the Luck Dragon Costume 
Homemade Black Swan and White Swan Couple Halloween Costumes 
The Coolest Ever Homemade Mary Poppins and Bert Couple Costume 
An Unexpected Lord of the Rings Halloween Journey
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