To the Dragonmobile! a Harry Potter pimped wheelchair (pic heavy, sort of tute)

[sophieangele]

Hello!

So, I went along to a midnight launch party for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. JKR however most inconsiderately forgot to include any cripples as characters, so as usual, I knew any costume I wore would be spoiled by the big ugly mobility scooter I need to use. My solution: dress up the scooter!

Here is the bad boy:






The wings and tail are my own pattern, sewn from fake leather. The wings use metal tubing for the veins, in hand-sewn channels. I fixed them to the arms of my scooter using cable ties, having sewn loops of seam binding onto the back



And with my friends (I also made their costumes):


A close-up of Winky, the alcoholic house elf:


The hat is inspired by laine hammy's crocheted one - I don't crochet or knit, so I made one with a hat I have already, felt, and wire. The ears are wired so that they stand out straight and can be positioned and folded etc. to make them more realistic


Here is how I made the dragon head:

Firstly, I built up the head in two separate parts, on two balloons, using paper mache. Once I had 2 solid shapes, I cut down the middle of the 'nose' piece to make 2 jaws, and attched to the head balloon using masking tape. I then covered the lot in another few layers of paper mache


Then, I built up the ridges using scrunched-up newspaper, card, and masking tape. The smaller horns are painted polymer clay, the larger ones are paper mache on a carbboard base (rolled to make a cone). Now add another few layers of paper mache over the whole thing, to make a smooth, strong surface.



gesso over the whole lot


Then it's painting time! I used acrylic paint, build up in several layers and then put in details.


Finally painted and varnished with yacht varnish, to make it
waterproof in case it rained -


(back view)

(ooh and the eyes are painted polymer clay, fixed on with hot glue)


I had a great night and loads of people wanted to take our pictures It was brilliant fun. Thank you to everyone who gave advice and help on how to do it!

Go on, you know you want to comment...

[Tygir]

That is awesome! The dragon's head looks so fantastic! (a little scary, even) 

[krazy4katz]

That ia one of the most awesome htings I have seen in... 49 years!!!  Great job!

[kbauer]

This is so awesome! I'm speechless! When I saw the first picture, I was certain that you'd bought the head. That is just amazing.

p.s. I just "this rocks" you. 

[carole73]

OMG  this really rocks!! You're very talented!!! Awesome job.

[Haylie]

WOW!  This definitely rocks!  Incredibly awesome!

[phantomssiren]

That is by far one of the most awesomestly fantabulous things I have ever seen!!! Personally I'd be tempted to just leave all that stuff on there all the time :p

[LadyCregga]

That is the coolest!!

[emkay]

Maybe if I hit "This Rocks" hard enough, you will receive some sort of Awesome Dragon Head Award!  *CLICK* *CLICK* *CLICK*!!!!!

[Diane B.]

That is just FANTASTIC!!!  You must have been the star of the waiting line.

Thanks for posting the how-to too ... great techniques, and you paint really well too!


Diane B.