The Armour Archive

Anyone have a source for linen and silk threads. I am looking at sewing the aventail myself and want to use linen or silk threading.

TIM

PS. I am also looking at attaching the linen liner as per Brian Prices book for the bascinet. Anyone with experience in thias area a PM would be super.

Try Hedgehog Handworks - http://www.hedgehoghandworks.com or Threadneedle Street - http://www.threadneedlestreet.com

I recommend using linen thread and waxing it or getting real sinew. Silk disintegrates with sweat and sunlight.

Thanks James!!

I was thinking of using a double strand and using beeswax. How does that sound?

Tim

Sounds good, just make sure you order a good thick thread. The beeswax gives amazing strength to the linen thread. Be sure to rewax as you go along if it seems to be loosing it's wax coating.

Hobby Lobby sells waxed linen cord suitable for leatherwork or heavy fabric projects.

Maelgwyn

Tim -

Are you sewing the aventail directly to the helmet, or are you sewing it to a leather piece which is then rivited to the helmet? For the former, I would use sinew; for the latter, sinew, linen or silk. Silk is actually quite a bit sturdier than folks assume - it doesn't really disintegrate *that* easily. In fact, it is a good deal more sturdy than linen or cotton.

Be very careful that you are not buying embroidery threads. Embroidery threads will be too fine for your application (not to mention expensive!). I believe you would do better to look at leatherworking resources for supplies rather than at embroidery resources. Tandy Leather is one, I am sure that you can find others out there on the Internet with a simple Google search.

Gwyneth

Tim -

Are you sewing the aventail directly to the helmet, or are you sewing it to a leather piece which is then rivited to the helmet? For the former, I would use sinew; for the latter, sinew, linen or silk. Silk is actually quite a bit sturdier than folks assume - it doesn't really disintegrate *that* easily. In fact, it is a good deal more sturdy than linen or cotton.

My plan is to attach the aventail to leather using the waxed thread be it silk etc and then attach that to the helm using vervilles. I also want to place the linen liner and padding in this helm as per Prices description in his book. I was thinking of using the same thread.

Tim

I have not seen Price's book but I learned a lot from Steve of Forth Castle's online tutorial on linen helm liners. See http://www.forth-armoury.com/photo_gall ... _liner.htm

Thats the way Brians book shows it. But Oh My Forth has many more pictures--thanks for the link.

TIM