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OrangeMoose — Leather Armor Tutorial
Published: 2009-08-27 06:28:11 +0000 UTC; Views: 141117; Favourites: 2266; Downloads: 1576
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Description
I wrote up a tutorial of my first leatherworking project. It took a lot of time and research, but I know anyone who has time and patience can do it. I also really want to thank the Tandy man who talked to me for about an hour when I went to their store. He gave me so much advice. Thank you!I also learned a lot about leatherworking from who has a great maskmaking tutorial on her livejournal. I mean, that's what armor is, right? A mask for your body. Yesssss. Thank you!
Sorry for any typos (so tired), and please ask any questions you may have.
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Comments: 233
You're very welcome! I hope you get some use from it.
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A very beautiful piece of armor and a great tutorial! Thank you so much for sharing!
If I ever dare to take up my plans on trying out leather working I'm sure this will be of great help! ^^
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I am glad I could help!
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GREAT TUTORIAL!
Thanks a lot!
I have a question, is there any way to fix the shape of the leather? The fact is that I need to do this
[link]
If you've already mentioned this in your tutorial, then I'm sorry, I couldnt help noticing something or dont understand.
Thanks in advance!
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Yeah, after you wet it just do whatever you have to do to make sure it stays in place. Sometimes that just means positioning objects around it to keep it from laying flat. You could even fix it to your body with a towel over the leather and masking tape over the towel and let it dry while on you. Use the towel though because tape touching the leather can ruin the leather.
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hence, the water is my main ally?
thanks a lot! ^^
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Yes, water is your friend! XD Just hold the leather under the tap until it becomes soaked all the way through. Luke warm water is fine.
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Cool Tutorial. I don't know if you still use the leather sheers, but have you ever tried a round-knife. its an investment to buy, but omg, they just glide through leather like it was butter and leaves a clean cut, assuming you get one of good quality! I also use mine to thin out parts of leather at times, although I do recommend a skiver for that.
Anyways.
By round knife, i meant one of these: [link]
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I still use the leather sheers and have never tried a round knife, but now I am very intrigued! For large scale projects it sounds like it might save one from hand pain. Very expensive but sounds like it could be worth it. Thanks for the info! 
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Every once in a while they are on sale in their monthly sales. They have different version at different prices, but when buying knifes its always better to go for high quality steel.
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What a wonderful piece and a great tutorial! Thanks for sharing
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Wow this is just the kind of tutorial I like to see! I'm a mask maker who also learned from Andrea.
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I hope it helps! And I must say your work is amazing! Great gallery.
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Thanks! For something that was only supposed to be a hobby for me, it really took over my life. I love it. *_*
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I was wondering if you bend over or something does the leather crease? I'm using this tutorial to making a chest piece/corset type armor but I've been wondering if moving around too much will crease the material or if it's hard to get around in it.
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It probably would, but it's so stiff it would be really difficult to get to to bend to where it creases. Let's just say I had really good posture that weekend, lol. XD
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What did you use to get the embossed patterns?
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Edge groover...which, as the name implies, is meant for the edges (used to make a "ditch" for stitching. The groove helps protect the stitching). I very carefully used it to carve out the pattern.
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I just want to let you know that you're definitely an inspiration for me to try out leatherworking. I've always wanted to make myself a Huntard costume from WoW but couldn't find decent armor tutorials, but yours definitely helped a lot! I'm hoping to try this out this summer when I have some free time.
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Awesome! That's good to hear.
If you have any questions along the way feel free to drop me a note.
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thanks for emphasizing how surprisingly easy it was... too many good artists don't stretch because they think something else would be harrrrrd...
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Yeah, it might seem daunting at first but once you get started it's mostly just fun!
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How did you attach the layers of leather? Glue? Wetting and pressing them together? I'm trying to make a leather Green Man mask and have no idea how to attach different layers of leather.
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I used rivets. Lots of rivets, lol.
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my husb used rubber cement too with my elkhide bodice
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Hi, I would take one question, what kind of leather you use?
It is artificial or natural?
Do you have any specific name?
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It's real leather. It's vegetable tanned cow hide. Also known as tooling leather.
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actually... this was loads more helpfule than alot of the other tutorials ive read on the web.. the pictures really help, as well as the "makers hints". The peice came together very nicely ^_^
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Thanks for making this tutorial. I know it is alot of research to start out making these on your own.
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