Members jkoelker Posted July 27, 2015 Members Report Posted July 27, 2015 Thanks for the feedback. I have a great work space away from the wife and kids so I'm thinking of setting up shop and trying a few things. I just can't seem to find where/what kind of leather I should buy to get started. Quote
Members spacedog Posted July 27, 2015 Author Members Report Posted July 27, 2015 Just search online for leather hides in your town, or look for a tandy store. They'll show you the different leather qualities and types, and answer your questions on prices. This is a spaulder I'm just finishing up. I initially wanted big pauldrons, but they didn't work out very well. They might end up being a mismatched set. Spaulder on the weapon arm and pauldron on the shield arm. Quote
Members Obeliske Posted August 11, 2015 Members Report Posted August 11, 2015 Absolutely gorgeous! I'm just getting into this hobby and like jkoal I'm more interested in the torso and pauldrons/spaulders and I can't wait to start the more I look the more likely it looks like I'll be able to make something awesome! Primarily I plan on what I make to be either usable for some local larp groups or cosplay and for myself some steampunk stuff. I have to say your stuff looks amazing thank you for sharing but where did you find your patterns? I can't seem to locate any for armor and I'm positive they are right in front of me and I'm just missing them Quote
Members spacedog Posted August 12, 2015 Author Members Report Posted August 12, 2015 (edited) Thanks! It's been a slow process and the only patterns I've been able to find are on armourarchive.org. The torso I made using a loose t-shirt and scrap paper. All my stuff is kind of on the fly. I make a paper version of the basic idea and adjust it to work better when I switch to leather. (And even then I've had to cut the leather after I've tried it on.) One of the threads on this site has/had patterns for leather armour, but I couldn't find a link that worked. They led to an ad site. The best thing I've seen for making a torso piece that'll fit you is to get someone help wrap your body with plastic sandwich wrap, cover that with masking/painter's tape and then carefully cut it off. You can draw you've designs onto that and then transfer the whole thing onto leather with a bit of room to spare so it's not too tight. (I recommend you avoid sewing unless you have a machine or really, really like sewing by hand.) EDIT: http://www.armourarchive.org/patterns/ Edited August 12, 2015 by spacedog Quote
Members Smahon03 Posted August 15, 2015 Members Report Posted August 15, 2015 For a first attempt, this really does look beyond amazing! This would be a total hit at any comic convention, ren faire, or wherever. Very similarly, I use stiff paper to make all the individual pieces first before cutting the more expensive leather. I did my first project free-handed and built it on whatever support I could find (including on myself) however I just picked up a cheap manequin for my shop and I am building everything on him, and it has been much easier. Would highly recommend it. Keep up the good work! I can't wait to see the final set put together. Quote Follow my best work HERE!
Members spacedog Posted August 15, 2015 Author Members Report Posted August 15, 2015 Thanks! I've been working on a pauldron for the shield arm, but it's taking quite a while. I've also gotten side tracked making a purse for Mrs. Spacedog's birthday. Not sure if I'll post it since it's "not my bag". (Friggin' turquoise dye has me shaking my head) Anyways, here is a pic of one piece of the pauldron. This is the paper trial. More to come eventually. Quote
Members Khann Posted August 24, 2015 Members Report Posted August 24, 2015 How thick is that leather you're using?? Quote
Members spacedog Posted August 30, 2015 Author Members Report Posted August 30, 2015 (edited) I used about an 8-9oz leather on the front body which was layered. At certain points I was sewing through 3 layers. The gorget was thicker, 11-12oz I think. The back is a single layer of 8oz and the plates are 11-12oz. On the arms and legs I used 11-12oz on the elbow and knee cap and 8oz on the rest. The pauldrons have been on hold during some home reno. EDIT: the badges that the belts slide through were thin, 5-6oz maybe. Edited August 30, 2015 by spacedog Quote
Members spacedog Posted September 11, 2015 Author Members Report Posted September 11, 2015 Well, I'm not entirely happy with the pauldron I've made, but here it is anyway. I went thoroughly over the top with the idea, and it is huge. Mrs. Spacedog likes it, so I'll be moving on to the tassets and belt next. Quote
Members spacedog Posted September 20, 2015 Author Members Report Posted September 20, 2015 I forgot to take more pictures this time. The tassets just follow the same style as the breastplate or gorget. I mounted them to a wide belt and ran a thinner adjustable belt outside of that. The buttflap is pigskin. I'm going to have a loincloth in the front and a sporran/cod piece over that. Running close to my deadline when I plan on wearing the whole shebang, so wish me luck. Quote
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