My project, need some help

[Zendragon]

Hey guys,

I need to make a new cowl like the one pictured here.

This cowl was made by a very talented artist, who unfortunately is not around to make a new one for me. So I figured that I would attempt it on my own.

First step is getting my head cast so I can work off of that. But I remember him talking about stretching leather and what not.

Anyway, any suggestions on where to start with this project would be great. Thanks in advance.

[Zendragon]

Got an update. Planning to do my head cast in min May.

After that, I can start working on this.

So any ideas?

[badger]

As a basic approach you'll need to make a three dimensional shape into a two dimensional shape.

Cover the full head lifecast in cling film. Snip and tuck it so it doesn't span across any areas; eye sockets, under the nose etc....

Cover it in two good layers of gaffa tape, going in different directions. Decide where your seams will be, as there will be some. Cut the gaffa tape and clingfilm along your seam lines with a craft knife (carefully if you want to keep the casting of your head intact).

Lay out the pieces on a board and make your leather cutting patterns to match the pieces of the gaffa tape patterns.

Allow extra material for sewing at the seam lines and cut your pieces out. Sew together.

Cheers,

Badger

[Zendragon]

Hey thanks for your reponse, so if I am hearing you right, the cling film (is that like plastic wrap?) is used to keep the tape from sticking to the cast. Gaffa tape is like duct tape? Or is it more specific? From that I am marking where the seam pieces will be and making a pattern right? Which I can then lay flat onto the leather to make the proper sized pieces for sewing back together?

Now I mentioned stretching the leather. I was told that you would want to do this so that when you wore the cowl it would not shrink under the heat and sweat. How would one go about doing that?

As a basic approach you'll need to make a three dimensional shape into a two dimensional shape.

Cover the full head lifecast in cling film. Snip and tuck it so it doesn't span across any areas; eye sockets, under the nose etc....

Cover it in two good layers of gaffa tape, going in different directions. Decide where your seams will be, as there will be some. Cut the gaffa tape and clingfilm along your seam lines with a craft knife (carefully if you want to keep the casting of your head intact).

Lay out the pieces on a board and make your leather cutting patterns to match the pieces of the gaffa tape patterns.

Allow extra material for sewing at the seam lines and cut your pieces out. Sew together.

Cheers,

Badger

[AndyL1]

Hey thanks for your reponse, so if I am hearing you right, the cling film (is that like plastic wrap?) is used to keep the tape from sticking to the cast. Gaffa tape is like duct tape? Or is it more specific? From that I am marking where the seam pieces will be and making a pattern right? Which I can then lay flat onto the leather to make the proper sized pieces for sewing back together?

Now I mentioned stretching the leather. I was told that you would want to do this so that when you wore the cowl it would not shrink under the heat and sweat. How would one go about doing that?

I think Gaffa tape is like duct tape, I've known it as Gaffer's tape too. It's got a fabric weave in it like duct tape, just no sticky residue. Used in the entertainment industry a lot, hence the name. You could also put a head sock over your cast and tape on top of that. Try and use a light color tape that you can draw on with a sharpie to make your pattern lines. Not sure about stretching the leather out. Maybe make it a bit oversized to accomodate?

-Andy

[Zendragon]

I think Gaffa tape is like duct tape, I've known it as Gaffer's tape too. It's got a fabric weave in it like duct tape, just no sticky residue. Used in the entertainment industry a lot, hence the name. You could also put a head sock over your cast and tape on top of that. Try and use a light color tape that you can draw on with a sharpie to make your pattern lines. Not sure about stretching the leather out. Maybe make it a bit oversized to accomodate?

-Andy

oh yea a head sock, didn't think of that. Thanks, good idea.

How would one stretch leather for something like this?