Armored Battle Skirt

[ruslan novgorodcev]

Does anybody have a pattern(s) for an armored battle skirt (leather/suede with leather plates) for a female fighter? And any suggestions for attaching or hanging it from a C-belt? Kinda along the lines of the lower part of this pic.

Thanks for any help,

Ruslan Novgorodcev

[Dan Howard]

Holy Braveheart

[RandallMoffett]

If you are going to go through all that work why not try making something historic?

RPM

[Caius705]

If I can share some experience from my rudimentary armor making attempts back in my larp days, you don't want armored sections hanging freely around your knees and thighs. It will really kill your mobility. It tends to sway back and forth and stop you from changing directions as well. In addition, the small plates provide poor protection when compared to larger plates or smaller plates that overlap heavily. For the amount of time and capital invested, I'd personally go with either lamellar (if you want to keep some of the feel of the armor) or splinted (steel splints riveted to leather) with a Coat of Plates covering the torso. We certainly can walk you through a lot of this, so if you have questions, ask.

[ruslan novgorodcev]

@Caius- thank you for your advice and interest. I'll send you a private message.

Ruslan

[Caius705]

Cool. Bear in mind, I'm hardly an expert, so it's a good advice to read things posted by others. In fact, I'm no expert at all. But I'll take a swing at it, or at least bounce you to someone better.

[Caius705]

Two giant messages sent. If anyone is curious about my advice, I can post them here, if you'd like. I think it's decent advice, but nothing amazing.

[tim_Belcher]

post it
you know you want to

[Sean Powell]

OK, before we get pulled off on the Braveheart tangent, I recall from when the movie came out that there is ONE statue or effigy that seemed to be made of rectangular plates attached in 4 corners except that the plates were on the inside. I thought it was St. Maurice but it must be another effigy. Additionally there is a lot worse then this running around in the SCA. If the original poster wants help then we should direct him in how to do a good job while educating, not deriding.

Ruslan,

This sort of armor is gender neutral.

I don't have a pattern for a plated skirt but they aren't that difficult. They are either split front and back for mobility or worked into a conventional flared skirt (or pleated kilt). If split front and back you only need the wearers waist size divided in 2 and the desired length. If a flared skirt then you should find a conventional skirt with sufficient mobility. Pay attention to the back that it does not inhibit sitting or knee-fighting.

Assembly methods can be riveting leather squares to a leather skirt but leather is expensive. Unless you have an abundance then heavy fabric for the shell is more cost effective and steel, aluminum or even plastic will serve on the inside. Some people sew in pockets so plates can be removed for cleaning. Others will set in eyelets and lace the plates in. Even basic roofing nails will serve as rivets in this case.

Best of luck.
Sean

[Caius705]

post it
you know you want to

I really don't want to. If I wanted to be torn apart by more experienced Scadians in front of everyone, I'd go compete in something like the challenge of arms-.......Ok, so maybe I like getting beaten up. But this is different.

[Russ Mitchell]

would be better done with the plates on the inside and a layer of felt underneath it (unless you're wearing a serious cup under that, I would *not* regard that as adequate chest protection w/o some integral padding) -- that's a take on the armored skirt above with a stronger base for authenticity (direct Mongol equivalents exist)

Shape would be simple, do it as a straight tube, use the belt to bring it closer in to your body, lacing on the sides if desired. Will be protective and an effective "near-accurate" kit.

(edit: seriously, guys, this thread is full of really shitty attitude. This is how you treat people who come to y'all for help?)

[Uilliam Le Syngur Ingelrie]

This is a link to my youngest sons battle skirt. His kit is mongoul. The skirt is three pieces, rear and two sides. The leather here is not hardened but this is a division 2 boffer kit so it wasnt needed. The skirt is built over a belt so it just wraps around and buckles. Pretty simple. Perhaps will give you some ideas for your own. The rear flap can just be poped up over a seat or stool and so sitting and fighting from the knees is very doable.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/61413518@N07/
Also he does have articulated knees, but they dont work well with his skirt. I considered attatching it to his c-belt but havent had the ambition. I can take a close up of the skirt if you are intrested. It has two layers much as sugested above.
Uls

[losthelm]

What persona or look is she going for?
About the best optiin is either a haidate form or possibly more of a roman belt.
http://www.sengokudaimyo.com/katchu/katchu.ch13.html

A bit of research can go a longway, often the breastplate can give us some ideas on how to protect the exposed area.
Coat of plates, brigindine, or corenzzina often have sorter skirts that can cover the area between the legs and the torso.
I suspect she may be looking for protection from a wrap shot to the back thigh region.
Its a common problem for new fighters.

[Malek]

Below is the armored skirt I made for my wife's armour:



And here it is when worn:



When under her fighting coat, it works really well for her. From her hips, it hangs out far enough that most leg shots have most of the impact absorbed before it makes thigh contact. The plates are wax-hardened leather and the way they are laid out it provides good protection and flexibility.



I just re-did the armored skirt for my own kit, I'll have to post pictures later.

[ruslan novgorodcev]

Greetings,

Thanks Sean for the sentiment! The female fighter is newish and has a Hungarian persona that she isn't wedded to nor have a period locked down (definitely not Magyar period). She is more into the the aestic look but protective. Her upper body armor is covered by a tunic/household tabard and does have plates for her hips and 'rear' that are covered by the tabard. I think she would be up for the idea of bigger plates being more protective and being on the outside for the eye catching effect. I'll talk with her about metal vs leather (does anybody have a source for metal plates that are light but yet can take a stout blow?) We are in the process of strapping the mid thigh/knee/greave legs, so until thats done we don't know if its necessary to have a strap running up to a belt or not... thoughts??? I should mention by the way that I'm not much of an armor making guy so I'm learning as I go. I'll show her everybody's thoughts and get her opinion.

Thanks for any and all assistance,

Ruslan Novgorodcev

[Swete]

I would check a scrap yard for old street signs. You might luck out.

[Malek]

I would check a scrap yard for old street signs. You might luck out.

It's a great suggestion. The plates for my armoured skirt are etched road-sign aluminum that had been polished first.

[Uilliam Le Syngur Ingelrie]

Or for a more eye catching appeal that may or may not fit the rest of her kit, how about the brass door kick plates? 20 bucks at lowes or home depot and they are just as thick as street signs and look pretty good. Could maybe do a kidney belt with with the same material to match? Easely cut with a simple jig saw and a metal blade then buffed on a wheel or even hand sanded to smooth out the edges. Oh... use gloves when buffing if you value your paws!
I am thinking of embeleshing some courbouled leather greaves and bazubands with them.
Uls