While we are letting the TypeI braies percolate a bit, lets talk about the ones I am designating as
Type II. These are the braies of the mid to late 14th C. They were probably used by less fashionable folk well into the first quarter of the 15th.
I worked on these a bit back in '16, but did not like the results. A couple of weeks ago, I started over with a different idea about patterning. I used cardboard to make up a sort of "chap" to simulate one of the leg panels. This works a lot better than using patterning paper, because simply poked me in the places I needed to cut away, rather than tearing there. Also, of course, I'm an armorer... and this was just like a closed cuisse.
The pattern I came up with produced this pair. I have one leg folded up like I did with the Type I, and the other one is laid out so you can see the cut.
Here is what it look like on me.
They fit OK, but there are a couple of places I want to change.
These wrinkles are not characteristic of the period images. They can removed by pulling the fabric this way.
These wrinkles can probably not be eliminated entirely, but they can be minimized by pulling the fabric up.
In fact, I'd like the back to come up higher in general, to get the belt up where it will bear weight better. The problem is that the crotch is just not deep enough to allow that. I could add material to the upper back, but I think I will do better to take material away from the crotch.
The places in front and back where the crotch starts to bind are here... and here.
This is the leg pattern for the MK3.0. The places I have marked are where I need to remove material for MK3.1
I've traced the old pattern out on fresh paper, and marked the areas I am going to change. It's mostly deepening the crotch, but I have also lowered the upper front a bit. This is because I think that's more or less in the right place already, and I want it to stay there as everything else comes up higher. The other thing I have done is to remove some width at the top of the pouch to try to eliminate those diagonal wrinkles.
I'll start cutting and sewing tonight, but probably won't have anything to show till tomorrow afternoon.
Mac