This is basically part 2 on 'How to make a leather armour from scratch' for the first part in which I explain the patterning check here: th-cam.com/video/VRJDO_c2gLs/w-d-xo.html Let me know what you think of the armour! Do you like the style?
Oh my gosh. You are the absolute best!! I cant believe im just now seeing your channel! Im a leatherworker also and its sooooo fristrating that pattern makers neglect the female version of patterns. You are literally the best! Please keep it up!
That gap on the sides, put a intermediary piece of leather that will take up the gap but won't pinch when cinched up. If you are wearing extra clothing because of cold the original measurements will be needed.
Wanted to just ask what thickness/weight of leather you work with to make the armour in this video? I’m looking to get started on my own leather armour but I’m not sure at all where to start with that! Love your videos!!
Thanks! And for this one I used a 2mm leather. Which for armour is on the thinner side, but as I play a lightest touch game I don't actually need it for protection. Because if you do need the protection I'd go for a 3-4mm, or even thicker if you play in a game with harder hitting.
Thank you so much for this insanely inspiring and motivating video! Also it's just stunning what effect the roller and the dye combined are pulling off. The seemingly effortless routine you display must have taken long to establish, but with dedication, I'm sure I can end up with something worse, but somewhat good enough!
Really enjoying all of your videos I've watched so far. Mostly the viking inspired stuff. This will be my next step (already saw the pattern making video) which I'm looking forward to. What kind of leather dye do you use? It was a little hard to see in the video. Thanks again for taking the time to explain things so well.
Very nice result! I'm wondering at what point you might harden the leather if this were to be more like actual armour? Also, how much less comfortable would it be to wear if you took that extra step 😂 For my current research, the character I'm currently falling down the rabbit hole for is in a modern/near-future setting trying to make some "stealth" armour, ie armour that will somewhat protect them without looking like they're wearing armour. My current vision is them wearing a homemade vest similar to this out of hardened leather, which would provide some protection to vital organs without restricting mobility too much and also not stand out as somebody expecting to get into a fight when in a crowd. Something like what you made but longer and in black is pretty close to what I was thinking for my character, so thank you for the fantastic reference for when I'm writing ❤
I think before hardening leather the first step to making it tougher would be to go with a heavier weight of leather. As these are ultimately decorative armours, considering larp weapons don't actually do real life physical damage, I'm using quite a light weight of leather. Unless you specifically like the look of it I'd start hardening leather when you start getting into contact with weapons that can do real life damage, but that is a while different area of armour building so please do look that up as I am not a good source for it. When making armour longer do not make it too long, you need more space than you think to bend over comfortably and to sit down without the armour pushing up, so do check that first with a mockup. And more coverage generally means less mobility, I specifically made this one as short as it it so I can still bend below my ribcage in whatever way I want to.
Love it.. But every time i see something like this, i always think it would be easier if you mounted the buckles on the front and pull the straps forwards to do it up?
It depends what you're looking for. Both front and side buckles have advantages and disadvantages in my experience (having made both): Side buckles: Cleaner front, allowing for more elaborate decorations / a more solid looking mass, less likely to catch on things, being tucked away to the side (long hair especially X_X), and it means that your 'weak' spot in the armour is in a more naturally protected place along your sides, making it less likely to get hit. (In larp this is obviously only an aesthetic thing, but there's a reason that things like bulletproof vests and plate armour have their closures at the sides and not in the front, in general at least). Construction of two 'solid' parts that are just fastened at the side can often also be easier than having a closure in the front where you need to consider overlapping parts and the like as well. Front buckles: Easier to do up yourself, generally fewer needed, detailing around them can be used as part of the look, can be thrown on and more easily fastened while running towards trouble (which can definitely be a major plus in larp, if you don't want to wear the armour 24/7). As you can imagine, from the above list of advantages/disadvantages I've found, I tend to lean towards the side fastenings, but that's not to say there's not other ones I haven't thought of / mentioned. This is also my personal preference, and everyone is free to disagree with it. (And plenty of people probably will. 🙂)
Thanks! I must say it is not difficult to put it on right now, I can do it without having to look at the straps. Like Bladestorm Jones also mentioned, there are pros and cons. If you want something that resembles a corset, or are limited in your range of motion on your arms, definitely go for it! But personally I am more fond of having the buckles on the side. As it is a custom made armour I could make it completely my size and not need any buckles at all, but the buckles are also there to make it adjustable. That is why having buckles on both the shoulders and sides is handier, because generally on the side you will have more room to make it adjustable without either having a gap on the front, or an empty square-ish panel. Especially for female armour with all the curves, it is difficult to make it adjustable on the front and still sit right. Basically you would then get the adjustable part on the back, and ehh, ask anyone with a corset how easy that is 😛(especially if buckles are involved) Aside from that, in this specific case this is a character that makes use of archery, and with that reason I wanted to keep the front as clear of obstacles as possible so the bowstring doesn't get caught it in, which I guess is another reason I opted not to add the button anymore. So yeah, in this case I had specific reasons not to do it, in other cases, I guess side buckles just have my preference. But both can be done!
Yes! And that works really well, I have used it for a few projects, and was almost thinking to do it for the front part until I decided to go for darts.
I would suggest going somewhere in person if possible, leather is something you really want to see and feel before buying, unless you know a seller or the specific leather kind/brand you are getting. Then google 'leather hides shop' for your area or something like it. I don't think naming the specific stores here in the Netherlands would make much sense for you?
Like you NEED an excuse to make costume parts. ;-) With regards to the roller, I've seen people use those by tapping them lightly with a hammer as they go along. I've not tried it myself (yet), but I expect that makes it a lot less effort compared to pressing down heavily and going back and forth.
Ehh, just making costume parts and never using them would be a bit of a waste, wouldn't it ;) And interesting tip for the roller! Hadn't thought of that yet, but will try to see if that makes it easier.
Oh wow, kudos for catching up with all of them! And it has indeed been a while since I did anything on the pole, I should maybe see if I can find an excuse to incorporate it again.
This is basically part 2 on 'How to make a leather armour from scratch' for the first part in which I explain the patterning check here: th-cam.com/video/VRJDO_c2gLs/w-d-xo.html
Let me know what you think of the armour! Do you like the style?
Oh my gosh. You are the absolute best!! I cant believe im just now seeing your channel! Im a leatherworker also and its sooooo fristrating that pattern makers neglect the female version of patterns. You are literally the best! Please keep it up!
Thanks! I guess it is on me to neglect the male version of patterns ;)
That gap on the sides, put a intermediary piece of leather that will take up the gap but won't pinch when cinched up. If you are wearing extra clothing because of cold the original measurements will be needed.
This is great, I absolutely love the back panel - something about the combination of the lines of tooling with the cross stitch in-between is just 😘
Thanks! And yes! I started the crossed stitches and immediately thought that yes, it really works perfectly.
It looks good. I like the color you choose, it will go with almost anything. Good job.
Love the detail of your explanation as you created. Thank you, beautiful crafting. Stay safe
Thank you so much! 💚
This is really awesome 😌 the last thing I'd ever thought i could get into doing 👍
Wanted to just ask what thickness/weight of leather you work with to make the armour in this video? I’m looking to get started on my own leather armour but I’m not sure at all where to start with that! Love your videos!!
Thanks! And for this one I used a 2mm leather. Which for armour is on the thinner side, but as I play a lightest touch game I don't actually need it for protection. Because if you do need the protection I'd go for a 3-4mm, or even thicker if you play in a game with harder hitting.
Thank you so much for this insanely inspiring and motivating video!
Also it's just stunning what effect the roller and the dye combined are pulling off.
The seemingly effortless routine you display must have taken long to establish, but with dedication, I'm sure I can end up with something worse, but somewhat good enough!
Thank you for sharing such a thorough guide to your process. The end result looks quite well made!
Thank you! And I think I have mentioned it as well, I am super super, pleased with the result as well.
This piece is gorgeous! Thank you for the detailed video.
Really enjoying all of your videos I've watched so far. Mostly the viking inspired stuff. This will be my next step (already saw the pattern making video) which I'm looking forward to. What kind of leather dye do you use? It was a little hard to see in the video. Thanks again for taking the time to explain things so well.
I think I mention the thicknesses of the leathers in the video, but all of this is vegetable tanned leather, also called tooling leather.
Looks awesome! Now I wanna make one!
Very nice result! I'm wondering at what point you might harden the leather if this were to be more like actual armour? Also, how much less comfortable would it be to wear if you took that extra step 😂
For my current research, the character I'm currently falling down the rabbit hole for is in a modern/near-future setting trying to make some "stealth" armour, ie armour that will somewhat protect them without looking like they're wearing armour. My current vision is them wearing a homemade vest similar to this out of hardened leather, which would provide some protection to vital organs without restricting mobility too much and also not stand out as somebody expecting to get into a fight when in a crowd. Something like what you made but longer and in black is pretty close to what I was thinking for my character, so thank you for the fantastic reference for when I'm writing ❤
I think before hardening leather the first step to making it tougher would be to go with a heavier weight of leather. As these are ultimately decorative armours, considering larp weapons don't actually do real life physical damage, I'm using quite a light weight of leather. Unless you specifically like the look of it I'd start hardening leather when you start getting into contact with weapons that can do real life damage, but that is a while different area of armour building so please do look that up as I am not a good source for it.
When making armour longer do not make it too long, you need more space than you think to bend over comfortably and to sit down without the armour pushing up, so do check that first with a mockup. And more coverage generally means less mobility, I specifically made this one as short as it it so I can still bend below my ribcage in whatever way I want to.
Love it..
But every time i see something like this, i always think it would be easier if you mounted the buckles on the front and pull the straps forwards to do it up?
It depends what you're looking for. Both front and side buckles have advantages and disadvantages in my experience (having made both):
Side buckles: Cleaner front, allowing for more elaborate decorations / a more solid looking mass, less likely to catch on things, being tucked away to the side (long hair especially X_X), and it means that your 'weak' spot in the armour is in a more naturally protected place along your sides, making it less likely to get hit. (In larp this is obviously only an aesthetic thing, but there's a reason that things like bulletproof vests and plate armour have their closures at the sides and not in the front, in general at least). Construction of two 'solid' parts that are just fastened at the side can often also be easier than having a closure in the front where you need to consider overlapping parts and the like as well.
Front buckles: Easier to do up yourself, generally fewer needed, detailing around them can be used as part of the look, can be thrown on and more easily fastened while running towards trouble (which can definitely be a major plus in larp, if you don't want to wear the armour 24/7).
As you can imagine, from the above list of advantages/disadvantages I've found, I tend to lean towards the side fastenings, but that's not to say there's not other ones I haven't thought of / mentioned. This is also my personal preference, and everyone is free to disagree with it. (And plenty of people probably will. 🙂)
Thanks! I must say it is not difficult to put it on right now, I can do it without having to look at the straps. Like Bladestorm Jones also mentioned, there are pros and cons. If you want something that resembles a corset, or are limited in your range of motion on your arms, definitely go for it! But personally I am more fond of having the buckles on the side.
As it is a custom made armour I could make it completely my size and not need any buckles at all, but the buckles are also there to make it adjustable. That is why having buckles on both the shoulders and sides is handier, because generally on the side you will have more room to make it adjustable without either having a gap on the front, or an empty square-ish panel. Especially for female armour with all the curves, it is difficult to make it adjustable on the front and still sit right. Basically you would then get the adjustable part on the back, and ehh, ask anyone with a corset how easy that is 😛(especially if buckles are involved)
Aside from that, in this specific case this is a character that makes use of archery, and with that reason I wanted to keep the front as clear of obstacles as possible so the bowstring doesn't get caught it in, which I guess is another reason I opted not to add the button anymore.
So yeah, in this case I had specific reasons not to do it, in other cases, I guess side buckles just have my preference. But both can be done!
Great job
Have you ever heard that leather when it is wet it can be formed and shaped?
Yes! And that works really well, I have used it for a few projects, and was almost thinking to do it for the front part until I decided to go for darts.
Where do you buy your leather? I am planning on making my own outfit, but I'm a rookie and it's a bit overwhelming to start 😅
I would suggest going somewhere in person if possible, leather is something you really want to see and feel before buying, unless you know a seller or the specific leather kind/brand you are getting. Then google 'leather hides shop' for your area or something like it. I don't think naming the specific stores here in the Netherlands would make much sense for you?
❤👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾💘
Like you NEED an excuse to make costume parts. ;-)
With regards to the roller, I've seen people use those by tapping them lightly with a hammer as they go along. I've not tried it myself (yet), but I expect that makes it a lot less effort compared to pressing down heavily and going back and forth.
Ehh, just making costume parts and never using them would be a bit of a waste, wouldn't it ;) And interesting tip for the roller! Hadn't thought of that yet, but will try to see if that makes it easier.
New subscriber, video 60, all caught up, are you gonna pole dance in this one too? :3
Oh wow, kudos for catching up with all of them! And it has indeed been a while since I did anything on the pole, I should maybe see if I can find an excuse to incorporate it again.