1. Write a tutorial

This is really the best way to help out. Have you made anything Harry Potter? Let us know how you did it! Pictures are a bonus, but certainly not necessary. If you can't think of something that's already included in the sewing section, how about something else? A tutorial on how to take good pictures of your costume, how to set up a costume picture gallery, or how to set up a simple website to show off your costume would all be great additions. Or how about props? Can you show how to make your own broom, wand, book, etc?

2. Search the Web

We're always looking for great links to add to the site. Have you found a good place to buy ties, wands, or other Harry Potter gear that's not already listed? Email and let me know. How about fabric sites that sell cheap wool for robes or yarn for knitting scarves? Send them in!

3. Research a Costume

If you need something more specific to search, try researching a costume. We're always looking for people to search picture sites and send in links to the best pics that show details. These are the costumes that haven't been researched that I'd really like to get picture links on:

Dumbledore (PS/SS, COS, and POA)
Snape (PS/SS, COS, and POA)
McGonagall (PS/SS, COS, and POA)
Hagrid (PS/SS, COS, and POA)
Quidditch Robes (PS/SS and COS)

So how do you research a costume? Start by looking up the sites that allow us to use their pictures. You can find the list on our links page. Then look for a few good overall pictures of the costume. Note how many pieces it has (for instance, the Quidditch uniforms have the robe, sweater, pads, pants, and shoes). Write all these down, then look for a picture or two that show these pieces really well. Also look for any pictures that show smaller details, like the lacing on the robe or the seam on the sleeve. If you can't find these, that's okay. In fact, if you only have one or two pictures, send them in anyway. One picture is enough to start a research page!

4. Offer to Help Maintain the Site

Right now I'm posting everything myself. This is not really a problem with the number of pages I have, but I'm realistic and know that I'm going to need help someday. If you would be willing to help set-up web pages let me know. I prefer experience with Macromedia Dreamweaver, but I'd consider anyone with a solid experience in HTML.

A few other helpers I'm looking for are a links checker and a Mac checker. A links checker would go through the entire site about once every month or so and click all the links, making sure they still work and go to where they're supposed to go. A Mac checker would be very similar, but would view every new page as I make it on their Mac computer, telling me if any of the pages loaded incorrectly. I can test IE, Netscape, Foxfire, and Opera on my computer, but I don't own a Mac!

I'm also looking for a full time costuming helper that has knowledge of student and adult uniforms, and a full time knitting helper that has a good knowledge of knitting. These people would be responsible for helping me search for news and new patterns, pictures, and other general page generation and site maintenance.

Can I give money to help your bandwidth?

Not right now. I don't have a way to accept money, and right now the website cost is not an issue. I would, however, appreciate support for my host. Whippy is great and very friendly, and she's also a huge Harry Potter fan and fanfic author. You can visit her website here. Also, if you are looking for a place to host your website I highly recommend her reasonable prices. Let her know you found out about it here and she'll give me a discount as long as you're a customer! She can be contacted through her livejournal.