At a Sci-Fi/Fantasy con last year I got interested in leatherwork. I attended a few sessions on working with leather, and thinking about the upcoming convention got me in the mood of making something... I hope to eventually learn to make a suit of armor not unlike one I saw at a rennaisance fair for over $500.
I was curious if there were any sites that offer templates or patterns for suits of armor. I've searched and found plenty of sites on general leatherwork but none that offererd any types of templates...
Eventually I'd like to get creative, but as a beginner, I think starting with a pattern would be eaier (and cheaper).... At least until I get some experience..
Thanks.
Leather Armor for Starters
Additionally, you can (and IMO should) prototype the design you want to use in corrugated cardboard. Cardboard is free or cheap, leather is expensive. You should do this even with a tested pattern, as your dimensions are likely different from those of the person who designed the pattern. You can even test articulation, using nuts-and-bolts or those little binder-clip thingies. About the only thing you can't approximate is molding the leather on a form. When you've got your cardboard armour well-tailored, take it apart and use it as your pattern.
- Kyle
- Kyle
Jaypoc,
As has been said, most plate patterns will translate to leather w/o a problem. However, for a beginner piece, here are a few suggestions for choosing a pattern:
- Try and aviod a pattern with a lot of dishing. Leather doesn't dish with a hammer real well (some say it does, I've never had luck), making complex curves hard but not impossible.
- Check the pattern for locking pins and hinges: these work differently with leather (buckles and straps work best)
- Sliding rivets don't work well with leather: you're better off strapping the two pieces together.
OK, now for some generic "first project" pointers:
-Cardboard, newspaper, and construction paper are your friends: test build everything!
- Make sure your tools can handle the thickness of the leather you will use. An exacto knife will eventually go through 12oz leather, but a skivving knife will do so a lot easier. Plan ahead and buy tools once. Saves money in the long run.
- Speaking of leather: shop around. Brettuns leather is a great place for quality cheap leather (look in the links session for address).
- Speaking of links, RJleahy sells copper belt rivets (the lifeblood of most leatherworking I do) for @ $7 a pound: a lot cheaper than most craft stores will sell them for.
- Pick a small project, such as a pair of bracer, to do first just so you get used to the tools and working with the leather. Small projects mean small mistakes which cost a lot less than big mistakes.
OK, once you get comfortable making the armour, keep this in mind. Since you're doing fantasy, a lot of the plate patterns will seem very plain looking: this is because putting sharp points on plate armour is dangerous. Nothing sucks more than being stabbed by the decorative "teeth" on your plate armour. Leather is much more forgiving, so feel free to customize.
Have fun
Paul
As has been said, most plate patterns will translate to leather w/o a problem. However, for a beginner piece, here are a few suggestions for choosing a pattern:
- Try and aviod a pattern with a lot of dishing. Leather doesn't dish with a hammer real well (some say it does, I've never had luck), making complex curves hard but not impossible.
- Check the pattern for locking pins and hinges: these work differently with leather (buckles and straps work best)
- Sliding rivets don't work well with leather: you're better off strapping the two pieces together.
OK, now for some generic "first project" pointers:
-Cardboard, newspaper, and construction paper are your friends: test build everything!
- Make sure your tools can handle the thickness of the leather you will use. An exacto knife will eventually go through 12oz leather, but a skivving knife will do so a lot easier. Plan ahead and buy tools once. Saves money in the long run.
- Speaking of leather: shop around. Brettuns leather is a great place for quality cheap leather (look in the links session for address).
- Speaking of links, RJleahy sells copper belt rivets (the lifeblood of most leatherworking I do) for @ $7 a pound: a lot cheaper than most craft stores will sell them for.
- Pick a small project, such as a pair of bracer, to do first just so you get used to the tools and working with the leather. Small projects mean small mistakes which cost a lot less than big mistakes.
OK, once you get comfortable making the armour, keep this in mind. Since you're doing fantasy, a lot of the plate patterns will seem very plain looking: this is because putting sharp points on plate armour is dangerous. Nothing sucks more than being stabbed by the decorative "teeth" on your plate armour. Leather is much more forgiving, so feel free to customize.
Have fun
Paul