Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Primitive Skills => Topic started by: Ruddy Darter on March 21, 2016, 02:52:01 pm
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Thought I'd post some pics of a calf skin leather jerkin I made for loosing arrows, originally it had no openings and I just pulled it on over my head but I growed some ::) and so I put in a front opening and adjustable lace up side openings for when thicker under clothing is worn. It's a comfy fit and protects my chest from string slap which was becoming a painful problem.
I don't suppose it's a major achievement or elegantly made but it took me a fair bit of effort to get right.
Ruddy Darter.
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Close up of front neck and lace up side...
Rudz.
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Nice work on your jerkin, RD. Is it all hand stitched? looks like it.
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Yes Pat B, I used a carpenters bradawl which I filed sharper and narrower and tapped the holes out with a hammer with a piece of wood underneath, then stitched with linen thread heavily coated with beeswax, by hand using two needles together for strong stiching. The jerkin has had multiple coats of a beeswax based waterproofing cream. It was originally an off white creamy colour but gets darker with every outing from sun exposure, by the end of this summer it's going to be a nice darker golden colour I reckon. :)
Ruddy.
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Looks good. 8)
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Thank you Pat B :)
Ruddy Darter.
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nice job the stitching looks very good
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Thank you bubby, I got a large hide of very thin calf skin, the kind that's used to line boots with, I'm toying with the idea of making something more tailored, maybe double it up, smooth skin facing inside and outside and quilt stitch it with a linen layer or two between them for a leather Jack/gambison of sorts,( although it may be to hot for me), or if I can find silk for lining I'll make a nice shooting waistcoat medieval style. It's a nice hide with mottled skin tones still remaining. It would look very olde worlde if I put it to good use.
Ruddy Darter.
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I've done lots of leatherwork but not clothing. I would like to make a brain tanned war shirt or coat/jacket of some sort. Now, all I need is 3 or 4 brain tanned hides. ;D Hand stitching is all I do. Time consuming but therapeutic.
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Nice! Did you line it with anything, or just have the grain side plain? Are you in the SCA?
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Thanks Ranasp,
No I didn't line it, the flesh side is quite smooth and doesn't cause under clothing to ride up that much. It feels good as it is so I won't chance spoiling the fit. The thinner hide I have is a lot more 'furry' on the flesh side and would have to be lined or worked flesh side out, an idea I'm playing with as the suede looks very nice, an orangy-red brown.
I'm not in the SCA, I don't really have the time or motivation, I bet it would be great fun though 8).
Ruddy Darter.
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That is really nice. :) You are quite talented. 8)
Zuma
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Thank you Zuma,
I don't know though, it came out alot different from what was first planned, it became too snug and would ride up when aiming and crease up and get in the way, so a chop here and there and I'm happy with the jerkin now. I'd save myself a lot of work by making a maniquin first. Saw a good method of doing this on Google---->wearing on an old T-shirt wrap one's torso with cling film, then wrap over the cling film with a good layer of gaffa tape (reinforced tape), then cut up the centre(or back) and remove, then stuff with cut up newspaper or suitable packing material and rejoin the cut centre, mount on a broomstick with a fixed base. I'm going to try this over the weekend. ;D
Ruddy Darter.
(A minor hand injury held up completing the carvings, all good now and will show finish on that post)
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Well if you are going to those lengths Rudy, I am a 48" long. lol
You and Pat B should team up. I am sure you have seen his
paper machete art work? I only wish I had the talent.
Zuma
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Lol, no plans on being a full time tailor just yet Zuma ;D. Yes, Pat B's mache English bowmen is coming on a treat, looking forward to seeing it with all the finished details 8).
Ruddy Darter.
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Also had a go at making a linen shirt/short tunic with simple vent sides, just got to sow on some little belt loops, it's an early style and a little bit of a Norman/Viking look. It's a nice thick red linen I was lucky to get hold of. Enjoyed making it, (Second picture taken in daylight showing actual colour, but neck was crook on the hanger)
Ruddy D.
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Fantastic,
I can see the Ruddy Darter, men's sports wear, aisles
in Macy's department stores before the summer solstice.
Zuma
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:D hmmm...R.D. Apparel...That's an idea to ponder ;D
...just to finish I got it tied with some hemp cordage, threaded through two belt loops either side and one on the back, it fits good with room to move and doesn't ride up when aiming or when under the jerkin, not everyone's cup of tea but I'm pretty pleased with it all, and in my eyes better than wearing a T-shirt when loosing arrows. :)
Ruddy Darter.
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Trying a hand at making some simple pull on boots, they were made inside out and turned and then I stitched them to some thick veggie tan sole leather, then glued on another couple of layers of sole leather. (Going to pop them down to the cobblers and ask them to whack in some securing staples for good measure) the first photo first completed boots but they were too wide and outt of square at the top so I've unstitched them(second picture) and going to try a better finish, also going to line the ankle and calf inside area with some thin leather to give them a better quality finished look, hope to finish them this evening:), found this hard going to get them right. ???
Ruddy Darter.
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You missed your calling. Unless you are a cobbler :D
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To be honest D.C. I don't think I'll make another pair for a while, I found it quite hard going to get right, although the leather is quite thick which probably made it so, but I wanted them to be durable and reasonably water tight for wet fields.
Ruddy Darter.
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Gosh, Now all you need is a Maid Marian.
Great job on the boots.
Zuma
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...made one of those too...with real hair (maybe that's a little weird :D)
Ruddy Darter.
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...made one of those too...with real hair (maybe that's a little weird :D)
Ruddy Darter.
Errr, ahh, yeah, maybe a little north of little. ???
Psst!
Got any photos? ;)
Zuma
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She likes to sit in a rocking chair up in my dusty loft/attic, she doesn't like daylight and I don't think she would take too kindly to her photo being taken...you know how funny some women can be, but at least we don't argue like many couples do :)
Ruddy Darter.
(Better add I'm joking, health & safety and all that, and promise myself to start getting out a little bit more :D)
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Just read through this, your do great work Ruddy. Looks like you take great pride in your craft.
Tell the misses everyone says hello. :D ;)
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:laugh:Thanks Aaron H, and the missus just squeeked back hi to all, :D
... Next step now is making some medieval hose (as in trousers :D), got a pattern although I am going use dark brown thick linen instead of wool, so they will be a little looser fitting and a simple drawstring to hold them up for convenience, so not entirely accurate historically, . (They are going to be joined hose.)
Ruddy Darter.
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Great work and craftsmanship. well done.
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Thank you very much swamp monkey,
Ruddy Darter.