some questions on making a Tonks costume for HP7 pt2 premier

[billiemarie]

I've always gone to every other premier either plainclothes or dressed as a generic Hogwarts student, so for the final installment in the Harry Potter series I've decided to go as Nymphadora Tonks. Yay!

Here's my reference photo: http://images.wikia.com/harrypotter/images/1/1a/Tonks.jpg
Pants and boots I have. Gloves, necklace and over-shirt are made/attained easily. The striped undershirt I expect will be the result of some serious thrift-store scrounging or, if absolutely necessary, I will sew myself. However, it's the jacket that's bothering me the most.

I found this to use as a good base: http://cgi.ebay.com/Vtg-40s-WWII-Repro-L-S-Burgundy-Long-Coat-Dress-12-B41-/330561670173?pt=US_CSA_WC_Dresses&hash=item4cf702cc1d
I figure I'll use some bias tape and cheap brass-looking buttons for the embellishments. However, I really want to make the coat look as though it's made out of dragon hide, but I have no idea how. I was thinking of maybe getting some lace or netting with a design reminiscent of scales, and dabbing gold fabric paint onto the coat using the lace/netting as a stencil, but I'm not sure how well it will work.

If anyone has some suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it! Otherwise, this will most likely become a WIP thread as I accrue the various pieces of the costume.

[marypoppins]

If you can find the right pattern of lace, the paint idea would work.  I have done similar stuff for other costumes.  Just remember if you use something other than fabric paint, it will make your cloth stiffer.