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North-Steading — Tutorial 03 - Patterning
Published: 2009-08-21 09:39:22 +0000 UTC; Views: 15478; Favourites: 108; Downloads: 188
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Description
As requested another tutorial in my leather working series (although as yet I have't actually shown any leather) - but I want to cover some of the basics, which aren't particularly shown elsewhere.This tutorial covers the method to completing a basic leather-breastplate. There is alot to be said about cutting out armour and finishes but that will be covered elsewhere. This should give people a place to start and I would encourage anyone interested in starting making leather armour to get out there and start practicing/messing about. However if they want to save money and leather, get a load of paper or card and see how things work with that. I like wall-paper backing paper as it comes in nice big (cheap) rolls and is thick and bending in a way fairly close to leather (if anything it is a little stiffer), rolls of childrens drawing paper is also good (Ikea in the UK sells very suitable rolls)
As always questions or comments - please let me know.
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This is an armour concept for LRP and costuming and although based on historical concepts and practical armouring approaches it is not intended to be historically accurate. (Though it is intended to be believable as opposed to the silly high-fantasy approaches that get bandied about).
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Other tutorials are here:
[link]
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Comments: 8
Ok I must have made a mistake...
Is the waist measurement based on the measurement all the way around or just hip to hip?
Somehow my bottom like is about the same length as my center one... where'd I go wrong?
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Hi, it will depend a bit on what shape you are. I measure the 'waist' as just above the where a belt would sit on a normal pair of jeans/trousers - that's close to where you naturally bend so you don't want the armour to go any lower than that. I work from the full circumference of the body unless it specifically says otherwise (ie between the arms).
Very roughly about 2/3 of a body's circumference is the curved front and sides, whilst the back it about 1/3 and is pretty flat.
Hope that helps, if not let me know.
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I have just finished my first Brest and back plate, it was a struggle to say the least. I thank you for this tutorial I will use it for my next. How do I find the others you have done, I am new to DA. Love your work!!! A new fan 
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Cheers, I put up things here when I have the chance I'm also working on a website for things like that but I haven't got it online yet. If you watch me on DA I'll update people when I do. From your tooling you look like you've got a pretty good idea of what you are doing.
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Thx I have just really started with the leather thing, hope to get better soon.
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Awesome-sauce! I've always struggled with making patterns for larger pieces of armour! 'Imagine a Bee, you are its knees!' (Or if you are not English: 'Good job!')
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If you make the front piece out of 1 piece of leather, how will it fit? Will it be comfortable when you're moving around and bending and stuff?
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Any armour will reduce your mobility and a one-piece armour is likely the worst. That said however it makes up for this in improved protection (whether required or not) and ease of production. Mostly your ability to bend at the chest and twist is reduced but you get used to these restrictions and comfort typically isn't a problem. Leather armour is much more weather-proof than metal and is considerably lighter. One can wear leather armour all day and not really feel it.
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