Introduction

With the current release of the third Harry Potter movie, people have taken to dressing up for the event. As such, certain fans may have chosen to create a Quidditch costume and most likely are having some trouble looking for the protective equipment shown in the previous movies. The following will explain how the shin guards can be sewn, however to follow the instructions below, you should know use sewing machine as this knowledge is crucial to be successful. You should also know how to use sewing tools such as pins, needles, seam rippers and thread. Please refer to Figure 1 for further details of the shin guard.

Figure 1 - Completed shin pad

Materials Required

Fabric and Thread

Choose a brown vinyl that feels more like leather than plastic. Be sure that the fabric does not fray at the edges when it is cut. You can find some in the upholstery section of a fabric store. The distance from the bottom of your knee cap to your ankle will be the length of the pads. The width is about halfway around the front of your shins plus 3cm, to account for the padding. Add 10 cm of fabric to both the length and the width of the shin pads. That is how large the rectangular pieces of fabric should be. Cut four pieces. The straps are also made from this fabric. Each shin guard has two straps. Cut a total of four long pieces of fabric, 1/6th the width of the shin pad. The length will vary depending on the circumference of your legs. Choose a spool of thread that matches the colour of the fabric. You will need at least 100m of thread.

Bias Tape and Thread

This is used to cover the edges of the shin guards. Choose a double-folded tan coloured bias tape. Generally, it is cheaper to buy the tape in bulk than in a package. You need two pieces of bias tape, each the length of the perimeter of one piece of fabric. Again, choose a spool of thread that matches the bias tape colour. 100m should be more than enough.

Cotton Batting

To stuff the shin pad, purchase a bundle of cotton batting. Strips 8cm in width need to be cut and are stuffed into the pads using a chopstick or other long and thin utensils.

Other Accessories

Each shin pad requires two belt buckles that can be found in the notions section of most fabric stores. Paper fasteners are used to attach the straps to the shin guards and eyelets are used, if desired, to create belt holes in the straps.

Assembly

Shin Guard

1. Draw the pattern of the shin guard onto the wrong side of one piece of fabric. Take the width of the pad (including the added 3cm) and subtract 3cm. Then divide the result by six. This is the width of the padded bumps in the guard. From the middle of the fabric, draw two straight lines 0.6cm apart. Then, measure the width of the bumps from the two center lines and draw two more lines, one to each side. Then draw another line 0.6cm from the latter line on each side. Continue this pattern until there are six bumps drawn. Please see Figure 1 for further clarification of the pattern.

2. Sew each of these lines. This serves as the pattern for the guards. Add another piece of fabric and pin them with the right sides facing out. Sew over the lines again.

3. The bottom of the guards is shaped to conform to your ankle. Draw a semi-circle at the bottom of the guards and sew this line. Again, refer to Figure 1 for a visual. Only the top of the guards should have holes for stuffing in the cotton batting.

4. Pin the bias tape around the closed edges of the guard and sew. You should have some left over hanging off one side of the guards. This will be sewn down after stuffing the guard.

5. Take the cotton batting already cut and stuff them into the large holes of the fabric. Depending on how stiff you want the guards to be, stuff more or less cotton in. If too much is stuffed in though, the guard may no longer fit your legs.

6. Sew the straight top edge of the guard together and then sew the bias tape over it.

Straps

1. Each of the pieces of fabric needs to be folded in half width-wise and sewn down either side of the strap. One end needs to be rounded off and sewn together.

2. Strap fasteners are made by sewing together two pieces of 1cm wide vinyl. Think of the loop that a belt strap goes through to secure the long end of the belt. Wrap the fastener around a strap to determine the circumference needed and sew the fastener into a circle by hand.

3. Attach the belt buckles by taken one strap, slipping a fastener through it, and then slip the strap through one end of the buckle. Then fold all of that around the edge of the shin guard. Attach with a paper fastener.

4. Attach the other side of the strap with a paper fastener. Once both straps are attached, try on the guard and make eyelet holes where needed to fasten the guard to your leg.

5. Finish the ends of the straps by cutting off corners at 45° angles and then sewing the corners together.

Conclusion

Creating a complete Quidditch costume should not be attempted by anyone who is not comfortable using a sewing machine as well as those with little free time on their hands. The final product however draws much interest and enthusiasm from fellow fans. Also, note that similar procedures can be used to create the arm guards by modifying the pattern.

In addition, to create the most accurate equipment it is advised to examine photos and the movies thoroughly before attempting this project.