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What's good fabric for What's good fabric for making an all-weather cloak... and for that matter, battle garb? Also, what patterns do your recommend for making battle garb? I've seen a couple skirts and stuff I like in McCall's and Simplicity, but I'm looking for more info. Morgan |
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For battle garb I would look
For battle garb I would look into upholstery fabric/thicker fabric. Jean material also works well. You want something that's going to hold up for a while and take a beating, and you can toss into the washing machine. AVOID EMBROIDERY!!! It tends to catch and tear and look warn-out VERY quickly. I would also recommend avoiding skirts for battle garb, unless you're going to be a magic class. Even then, you want to be careful with long skirts as they can tangle around your legs and prevent running ability. It's best to build a "battle outfit" and "court garb". This way you've got the more serviceable outfit for class battles/quests and the more fun outfit for feasts and such!
For patterns, that's really dependent upon your class/character! Stick with patterns made FOR girls though, otherwise you'll find yourself doing a LOT of alterations. A poet shirt/tunic with a bodice or vest and a pair of trousers with a sash works great for more active classes.
For an all-weather cloak, I'd also look for a thicker fabric, but avoid the upholstery fabric on this one. You want something that's going to be warm, but not too warm ... I'd stick to medium weight natural fabrics. ALWAYS go for the natural fabrics when making clothing for Amtgard. If you get polyester or any other synthetic fabrics you'll find yourself getting EXTREMELY hot during the summer. Layering is your best bet. Start with a light muslin/cotton shirt, then build on that. That way, depending on the temperature you can throw on, or take of layers.
If you have any questions or anything feel free to catch me at Amtgard on a week I'm there! Just ask around, they'll point me out!
Kyra
CC Garbing Grand Inquisitor
Going to be there today?
Going to be there today?
great advice! Yes, I've
great advice! Yes, I've gotten one pattern that isn't designed with... erm, boobs in mind- I imagine that one will be difficult- I'm rather uhhh... well-endowed where that is concerned. *blush*
Anyway, I'm rather surprised that synthetic fabrics would retain as much heat- in fact when it gets wet, polyester loses virtually all of its heat-retention capabilities.
I figured on skirts being around ankle to mid-calf. They have the added advantage of hiding one's feet, thus providing less telegraphing.... although the skilled martial artist would not give away much to begin with.
I've been vacillating between Archer and Scout, though I think I'll be doing archer to start, if only to get comfortable before doing something that has weird special abilities.
I will admit to being a bit
I will admit to being a bit of a purist on the natural fabrics one. They didn't HAVE polyester during the middle ages, so therefor I'm not going to use it very often. Not everyone feels the same way I do, it's merely an opinion. Also, I feel natural fabrics hold their shape and look better and are easier to repair. Natural fabrics tend to rip/tear on the seam. Synthetics ... good luck. It's a miracle if they rip on the seam. At least that's been my experience/observations of them. Also, natural fabrics clean up much better than synthetics do. Stains are MUCH harder to get out of synthetic fabric.
As for the heat retention, we don't get wet that often playing Amtgard. It does happen, but very rarely. I just trust my natural fabrics to keep me warmer and cooler depending on the weather. Basically, my rule of thumb is, "Could I wear this on the hottest day of the year, at the Ren Faire all day, and not die of heat exhaustion?" If the answer is yes, you're probably good to go! While playing Amtgard you WILL sweat and get a workout. You don't want clothing that's not going to absorb moisture and will keep all the heat in. Heat stroke here you come otherwise!
Kyra
CC Garbing Grand Inquisitor
well, I have a crap-ton of
well, I have a crap-ton of patterns... including 2 different tunics, a skirt, a formal uniform-type thingy, a dress and a cloak.
I looked at muslin fabric... I like the unbleached stuff... I might go with some greens or browns for contrast. Probably natural greens, somewhere between olive and hunter. Muslin goes for $1.99/yd at 45" wide.
The tunics I was looking at call for about 2 yds of main fabric and 1 yd of contrast.
even at $7/yd for the contrast (which is REALLY nice fabric... I wouldn't use that in battle garb), that would amount to about $15-16 for the shirt. Realistically, it'll end up costing about $10 in materials.
Not bad for a custom-fitted tunic.
I bought the materials for
I bought the materials for the tunic today- I needed a bit of interfacing as well, and some thread, and buttons. I got some really nice buttons that I think will make the shirt. I'll probably sew those on myself cuz I don't leave anything to chance where it concerns buttons. Anyway, they're these brass rectangular buttons- they look like 2nd Lt butterbars on a loop, but with scrollwork in black on them. beyond that, I'd like to do some celtic knotwork on the accents with some gold thread that I picked up. I'm going to look in to that before I finally have the shirt made- I have a friend who's going through a nasty divorce and she could use the cash- she said she'd do the whole set for about $30 (1-battle garb, 1-formal garb) as long as I provided all materials. I spent a little more than I expected- I got extra fabric and the buttons and the interfacing. I got the buttons for $2.30 a pair- I need 11 of them so I ended up with 6 pair. That was $14, but money well-spent because it's going to make the rest of the shirt look awesome. I got 3 yds of unbleached muslin 45" bolt fabric (the pattern called for 2) at $1.99/yd, and 1.5 yds (pattern said 1) of contrast fabric (also 45" bolt), which was a solid olive or a bit darker green that went for $2.99/yd. Total cost- $25 for materials, but most of that was in the buttons which I could've spent way less on if I wanted. Now I'm looking for fabrics for the skirt. I want something that's authentic, but pulled up a bit so I don't trip on myself in combat. That's going to need about 6 yds of fabric. Should I just use the same stuff I used for contrast in the tunic to make them match? Plus, I can make a sash out of the remaining contrast fabric that I already have. Yup, Scout. I think I'll start out with that. I just saw a recurve bow for about $20- short enough to be a shortbow, 15 lb draw, 22" pull. $20 at Dicks.
Also, I need an off-hand weapon. I'm going to have to make me a dagger.
Soon, I'll be looking for fabrics for the cloak. I'm looking for something that's a heavy cotton or light wool; I'll be lining it with some nice cotton. And then it'll be time for the formal dress- that's going to be awesome. I already have some brocade fabrics picked out... I'll be finalising the selection when it gets closer to me needing them.
Finally, I went to a bunch of armory sites- and promptly drooled over stuff. There's one seller that makes titanium rings. 59% as heavy as steel, and just as strong. Can you say, 'mithril'? More than that, though, I saw some leather-over-steel lorica segmentata that made me squeal. $480 is a small price to pay for that awesomeness. They also have the segmented bracers that go over one's entire arms to go with them. Sweeeeeet. Get some greaves and a helm, and I'll be all set. :D
some things i have done;
some things i have done; nurse scubs are pretty good for pants. for cloaks, tunics(ect) the star wars, lord of the rings, pirates and medieval patterns are all pretty nice. i have found these all at the craft store across the street from walmart. once a week they have patterns from certain books for 99 cents. so figure out which one you want and wait to save yourself $15!!
as far a cloth goes.. i would say the less you are wearing the better off you will be.. keep in mind we will be outside with little shade. also things like fire balls that hit garb will kill you.. so again.. the less garb you have hanging the easier it will be to dodge things of that nature.
armor.. if you will be playing a class that wears armor there are a few easy things you can do.. 4 layers of cloth(thick or thin) count as one point of armor, adding studs(which you can find in the leather section at hobby lobby)will add one point. also, bed padding counts as padded cloth which also counts as 1 point(and can then be studded). simple tunics, bracers or pants can be made for some decent light weight armor. i have been playing a while and the most i have anywhere is 3 points.. looking at it that way.. 2 points isn't so bad.
if you have any other questions i would be happy to help!!
Joann's Fabrics is selling
Joann's Fabrics is selling all McCall patterns for $0.99 right now, limit 10, through April 19th.
I'm looking at Scout most likely, but perhaps Archer.
Looking forward to GNB on my birthday! ... speaking of which, is anyone carpooling?
Play an assassin. Hardly
Play an assassin. Hardly anybody plays them anymore...oh right. I guess everyone finally realizes how much they suck. Anyone else notice the awesome decrease in assassins?
i think that is going to be
i think that is going to be my next class.. then i can play ninja on casual sundays
I play a 6th level archer
I play a 6th level archer and I'm happy I did, but over all I look at the Scout ase a better class for larger battles. The Special arrows an Archer gets aren't overly useful in huge battles where you end up losing them, while the Scout gets some other options for mixing it up a little.
The Archer does have fewer rules to worry about and battles of under 20 people, that are reasonably common,they do have a bit of an edge if tossing arrows is all your going to do. I'll also point out that Archer is arguably the most expensive class in the game. Bows can be reasonably cheap, but decent arrows will cost you about 4-6 dollars a pop. I feel that 9 arrows is a good working number for me, but I don't mind moving around to pick arrows up. I generally plan on rebuilding my arrows each winter, though a reasonable number survive each year it is far better to be safe then sorry when it comes to safety.
Ok, so I went off topic, sorry about that....
Wind Proof Fabric does work well for arrows, but as people have pointed out, synthetics tear and frey.
Boboko
I found sets of 6 carbons
I found sets of 6 carbons for $30 over at Dick's today.