Fantasy breastplate

[Prince]

Well here is the breastplate. Its mostly finished except for a couple details. They guy who is getting it is about the same size as me so I tried it on to ensure comfort and proper fit. Armoring is really like another form of tailoring if its done properly. I'll probably start work on the shoulders or helmet tonight.

[Johanna]

You have a keen eye for detail and design as well as function. While looking at your work, it is apparent that you have given thought to the wearer's comfort and need to move freely while wearing it. I have seen quite a few folks walking around like the Tin Man at events, unable to bend! It would be great if you could explain a little about how you incorporate the ergonomics into your designs. I think that really sets your leatherwork apart- it's attractive, and it's functional.

Johanna

[ClayB]

This stuff you are making is WAY COOL!! By the way it fits, you really must know what you are doing. It all looks great. Wonder how it would go with my cowboy hat??

Thanks for sharing the pictures. Hope there are more to come.

Clay

[SmilinJim]

You are a true craftsman. During the period you would be in great demand and probably are now too.

Keep on Smilin

Jim

[Prince]

Thanks, heh. We'll see how the demand is when I set up shop online. Hopefully I have pretty good marketing and business sense. There's always someone out there willing to pay for just about anything. My mentor had singular sales and commissions reaching well over $30K

Anyway, I think you guys will really like the end result... I'm almost finished with the torso, shoulders, and arms, and I've got to make the helmet and tassets and then I can finally start making some base products for my online business.

Well, back to work.

[Prince]

You have a keen eye for detail and design as well as function. While looking at your work, it is apparent that you have given thought to the wearer's comfort and need to move freely while wearing it. I have seen quite a few folks walking around like the Tin Man at events, unable to bend! It would be great if you could explain a little about how you incorporate the ergonomics into your designs. I think that really sets your leatherwork apart- it's attractive, and it's functional.

Johanna

Dont ask me how, but I totally and utterly overlooked your question and comment.

Explaining how I incorporate the ergonomics into my designs huh? hmmm How do I explain it...

Ok... Take this breast plate for example. You'd never find anything quite like it historically. But, it does have roots however, in that it has likeness with lorica segmenta, which had many number of overlapping floating bands. While this only has 3 overlapping plates per front/back, it still grants the full range of movement. Historical examples dont always mean they are the best design either. Also note that most armor isn't worn skin tight. Being snug or slightly loose allows the plates to articulate smoothly. Really though, I dont know much about historical stuff so when I make the patterns I just think about all the ways it has to move and make it to where it wont pinch, bind, or get caught on other sections, or hinder movement. Of course there are exceptions to the rules for different scenarios. A grand guard for jousting for instance. Probably wouldn't work very well in a sword fight I would say.

Generally, design follows function. Make something that works first, then you can decorate it and make variants of it all you want.

[Angster]

Azmal. Truly impressed with your work. Keep it up!

[Wyvern]

Very fine work.