The Armour Archive

So we are in the process of finishing up new Baronial coronets. While the last finishing touches are being put on the metal, I thought I'd work on some padded lining. Since they are for the Barony, they'll have to fit several sizes of heads over the years (they are hinged, so at least we don't have to worry about round vs. oval head shapes).

I was thinking of making two "sets" for each coronet, one thin lining one thick, but I'm not sure what to make it out of. I figured we'd have to attach it by velcro of some variety so that it can be interchangeable, but I'm not sure what to make the actual padding from.

Any suggestions?

I have always found that weather stripping works well. Sound tacky but it is easy to apply and adjust, doesn't harm the coronet, and is unobtrusive on my most style of coronets. I know it isn't period but I found it worked great for my coronet.

If you want something more permanent it can be covered with leather.

Or I could cover it in fleece or felt or something to be nice and soft, and then bonus for sticking it to the velcro on the coronets.

Thank you.

I've seen some that use craft foam that come in thin sheets, that have an adhesive backing.

Ihave found that the velcro peals out easily, and when you least want it to. I've done velcro and batting stuffed tubes and I've done weather stripping. The fabric tubes look better but the weather stripping seems to actually work better.

Dan

My coronet is lined with a thin layer of leather, but it was carefully fit ot my head. It's very comfortable.

The assorted crowns of Meridies didn't fit my head at all. It was an adventure, even with the semi-adjustable ones. I ended up duct-taping in a band of wool felt over the heavier liner, and that actually worked fairly well and was comfortable, heat or cold.

Gwen

It's the SCA, what could be more appropriate than blue foam?

Since baronial coronets don't change hands (heads) that often, I would go ahead and make the padding semi-permanent and just plan on replacing it for each new Baron & Baroness.

Figure out how thick you need it to be, sew a tube of velvet or some other fabric, stuff with your favorite padding, foam, tow, batting, whatever, and hand-sew it closed in a ring, then glue it into the coronet. When you tear it out to replace, it will wreck the padding but shouldn't damage the coronet, being metal and all.

I use the thin craft foam (Funky Foam) with a thin garment (1 - 2 oz.) leather over it. I then glue it in.
Richard.

Depending on how much padding you need I suggest some soft suede and some dbl stick tape.

GreenShield

Some photos I have seen of real crowns, show wire loops soldered/brazed to the inside of the crown that the fitted lining was stitched to. If the final details of the metalware have not been finished...

Baronial coronets don't change that often or with much surprise so it should be reasonable to expect enough time to fit them for the next baron & baroness.

My coronet is fairly lightweight so I just use contact-felt:



The Oerthan Coronets have velcro and a variety of thicknesses in wool fleece to cover a range of head sizes in a hurry since you are only the heirs for about 16 hours.