Ozma – Ozma of Oz

Made for: Dragoncon 2004

Background: My favourite books as a kid, and John R Neill’s beautiful illustrations have had a huge influence on me to this day.

Journal Entries: Read more at my Ozma tag

Related Costumes: Alyss, Dorothy

Patterns Used:
Not sure on the main dress. Underdress was probably Simplicity 9891

Dress:

Since her dress changes in the illustrations so often, I just picked elements I liked and put them together. For the dress I used a skirt pattern, just lengthened, with a train added. I made an underdress out of lining material and sewed strips of different coloured poly chiffon onto the underdress, and then made the outer dress of a slightly sheer sparkle organza, so the colours of the chiffon would peek through. The ruffle around the top had horsehair in the hem so it would curl, and I added straps.

Crown:

The crown my dad helped me make out of styrene, and the flowers I bought, cut apart, put back together and glued onto the crown.

Unfortunately my crown broke in transit to SDCC 2005. I taped it back together well enough to still wear at that con, and then tried to repair it once I was back home. Nothing ever stuck. It’s been in 2 pieces ever since; anytime I want to wear it I just tape it back together for the duration and then take it apart at the end.

So when I wanted to take it back to Dragoncon in 2024 for it’s 20th anniversary, Chase and I came up with a permanent fix. The lower part that goes around the head and says “Oz” is still the original crown. Everything from there up, Chase 3d-modeled and printed. There are new support beams attached to the base crown (painted black to blend in with my hair), and then a small “base” with velcro on it that the new vertical crown attaches to. That way I can take it apart for travel and don’t have to worry about having it break again. I also added brand new ribbons to it that are a little fancier. So glad to have this fixed!

Accessories:

The brooch I bought and painted. The shoes I bought and embroidered in green metallic thread and added green rhinestones to. The wig I had already, and the wand I bought there at the convention. In 2016 when I was preparing to wear this for the white backdrop shoot, I discovered my wand was missing! At the last minute I cobbled together out a staff out a baluster, some green and gold metallic rub-n-buff, a metal flower, a round plastic “gem” and some christmas lights. (It lights up! couldn’t tell in the photos though.) I was hoping to eventually upgrade this to a full “oz” staff but never did. It’s still hanging around here somewhere. When I took this costume back to Dragoncon in 2024, I just bought another cheap wand to carry with it again!

History:

I adore this costume, it’s so fun to wear! And I’m so glad it’s still kicking after 20 years.

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