Belts

Richard de Scolay · Post by **Richard de Scolay** » Wed Sep 11, 2002 10:31 am

First, I'm new to the SCA and haven't been to an event in garb yet, but will be going this Saturday. I'm trying to complete my first set of garb. I've been able to find decent reference material and websites for everything except belts.

So far I've made a plain black belt with a simple brass buckle. I've left the end long until I get a good idea of what I'm doing with it.

I've seen a few examples of concho's being added to belts but don't have any available to me and don't have time to go get any. The local hobby lobby has some cheap thin metal flat diamond studs with short tabs around the back edges. The problem with these is that the tabs aren't long enough to go through the belt leather. Besides that I'm not sure if they would even approximate what was used for period belts.

My garb (late 14th century) is a knee length houppelande made from a simple diamond patterned cotton tapestry cloth with bag sleeves.

What options exist for decorating the belt in a 14th century style? What about scoring the surface of the leather or punching a design into it? And should it be left long so that it loops over and hangs down?

Thanks!

T. Finkas · Post by **T. Finkas** » Wed Sep 11, 2002 11:33 am

Check out my website. I sell decorative belt mounts & buckles based on historical examples. Use my link below.

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Tim Finkas, Sculptor & Proprietor<A HREF="http://finkas.home.netcom.com/HSB/HSBMAIN.html" TARGET=_blank>
Historical Stud & Buckle Company</A>

Richard de Scolay · Post by **Richard de Scolay** » Wed Sep 11, 2002 1:35 pm

Thanks for the link Tim. I've seen your stuff before and I'm considering the possibility of using your stuff for a future belt. Right now I'm trying to hold down the costs and more importantly need to finish this stuff by Friday night. I'll probably have to make my wife drive friday night while I'm sewing my leather belt pouch.

I had the idea over lunch to stop by the hardware store on my way home today and see if I can get some round head brass decorative nails that I can turn into studs. Perhaps I can make a simple pattern with them this time around and do something more authentic next time.

Gaston de Clermont · Post by **Gaston de Clermont** » Wed Sep 11, 2002 2:08 pm

Richard,
Your approach to the SCA is great. I wish more folks comming in had a specific era in mind to portray like you do.
Short term, I'd worry about getting the basics right, and then considering decorations. Adding more stuff to your kit raises the odds that some aspect of it is inconsistent. Getting a belt of a reasonable width, length and placement are all pretty key. A good buckle, such as Tim, Talbot, Raymond's Quiet Press, or Mark Gaukler makes adds a lot, and there are a ton of options in decorating with studs, purse hangers etc. Decorated belts are great, but some folks wore them unadorned too.
Gaston de Clermont

Munz · Post by **Munz** » Thu Sep 12, 2002 2:58 pm

There is nothing wrong with an unadorned belt. I would recomend getting a nice buckle and tip, though, from the above mentioned merchants. Some sets can be quite resonably priced. You will be wearing this belt with ALL of your garb, so I would make an effort since it will travel from outfit to outfit, just like your purse/pouch will. It is one of the items that will really set a kit off nicely.

Wolf · Post by **Wolf** » Thu Sep 12, 2002 3:13 pm

i couldnt afford a new buckle and tip for the upcoming hastings event, so i used an old d shape buckle and made a belt tip out of 16 guage steel. i attached the tip and buckle using tandy quick rivits so i could replace them when i had the money.