Suit Of Armour - In Stages

[jkoelker]

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.

[spacedog]

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.

[Obeliske]

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

[spacedog]

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

[Smahon03]

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.

[spacedog]

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.

[Khann]

How thick is that leather you're using??

[spacedog]

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

[spacedog]

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.

[spacedog]

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.