Mando Mercs Costume Club

Mandalorian Armor => Soft Parts => Topic started by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Oct 07, 2015, 10:54 PM

Title: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Oct 07, 2015, 10:54 PM
I'm so excited! I got my flight suit today and I can't wait to get started. I'm going to use this as my general WIP for all of my soft parts.

Here's one to get it rolling! :)

(http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/Jeremy_Gebhart/20151007_223608_zpsqprc2x6g.jpg) (http://s935.photobucket.com/user/Jeremy_Gebhart/media/20151007_223608_zpsqprc2x6g.jpg.html)

Now to start removing stuff... Lol.
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Oct 08, 2015, 09:56 AM
Question for you all, what should I do with the zippered chest pockets? Thet are built into the coveralls and not sown on. Would the vest cover all that?
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Pirun on Oct 08, 2015, 10:06 AM
It ought to cover them, or you could try cutting them off.
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Oct 08, 2015, 12:14 PM
It ought to cover them, or you could try cutting them off.

I'm pretty sure you're right. I'll have to see once I work on my vest.

Vor'e!
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Oct 10, 2015, 01:41 PM
Got some gloves and a belt I'm going to use for a girth belt (I'll need to paint and weather it). Goodwill is my friend. :)

(http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/Jeremy_Gebhart/20151010_131822_zpsvqp7tqz0.jpg) (http://s935.photobucket.com/user/Jeremy_Gebhart/media/20151010_131822_zpsvqp7tqz0.jpg.html)

The gloves will change a lot as they will be made into crushgaunts.  8) Not completely sure what design I will use yet...
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Pirun on Oct 10, 2015, 11:06 PM
I've seen Mandos wearing "armored" work gloves with plastic plates on them... you can find those at hardware stores. Those might be a good base. I personally love them.
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Oct 11, 2015, 03:56 PM
Question on the flightsuit, for the externally mounted pockets, they need to be cut off if they are not going to be covered up, right? Also, are the pant legs supposed to be tucked into the boots?

Vor'e!
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Oct 20, 2015, 01:40 PM
Ok, so I'm a little closer to armor construction. :) I've purchased the material to make my vest. Now to find the parts to my wife's sowing machine, figure out how to use it, and make sense of Pointy's pattern... lol
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Kebii'laar on Oct 20, 2015, 02:13 PM
Pants can go over your boots or be tucked in.  I'm going the tucked route because my boots have a wide chimney and my flight suit legs look like a balloon stretched over a garden hose otherwise.

If you go tucked, I recommend getting pant stirrups.  They not only keep your pants from riding up in the boots, but they also make it easier to put the boots on. 
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Oct 20, 2015, 03:26 PM
Pants can go over your boots or be tucked in.  I'm going the tucked route because my boots have a wide chimney and my flight suit legs look like a balloon stretched over a garden hose otherwise.

If you go tucked, I recommend getting pant stirrups.  They not only keep your pants from riding up in the boots, but they also make it easier to put the boots on.

Much appreciated.  :)
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Oct 26, 2015, 11:37 PM
Ok, update:

After much debating, I decided to go with a kama instead of a cape.

The initial cut out. It took some searching and a lot of looking at Google images of Kamas to get an idea of what I wanted.
(http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/Jeremy_Gebhart/Mobile%20Uploads/20151026_214401_zpshnts7miy.jpg) (http://s935.photobucket.com/user/Jeremy_Gebhart/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20151026_214401_zpshnts7miy.jpg.html)

Here it is taped to my girth belt. Yes, I did put it on, and I have to admit that it felt pretty sweet. I took some pictures with it on, but didn't like them. I'll retake them and post them up.
(http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/Jeremy_Gebhart/Mobile%20Uploads/20151026_215610_zpsxjq9z7st.jpg) (http://s935.photobucket.com/user/Jeremy_Gebhart/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20151026_215610_zpsxjq9z7st.jpg.html)

I have plans to eventually dye both pieces a dark red (the accent color in my color scheme) and sew them together.

I have to say, this is my first experience with duck canvas and it is very tough compared to pretty much everything else that I've worked with in the past. It was folding weird on me when I was wearing it. Does this stuff soften at all (or is there a trick to getting it to lay right)?
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Kavryn Falco on Oct 27, 2015, 10:16 AM
Duck cloth doesn't flow - it stands, not lays. Haha. I washed mine a few times so it's not quite as stiff, but it's still pretty rigid.
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Oct 29, 2015, 04:38 PM
Duck cloth doesn't flow - it stands, not lays. Haha. I washed mine a few times so it's not quite as stiff, but it's still pretty rigid.

Hahaha! Very true!
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Oct 29, 2015, 04:46 PM
Ok, as promised, here are a pair of pictures with the kama on:

(http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/Jeremy_Gebhart/Mobile%20Uploads/20151028_234738_zpsj5ycnloy.jpg) (http://s935.photobucket.com/user/Jeremy_Gebhart/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20151028_234738_zpsj5ycnloy.jpg.html)

(http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/Jeremy_Gebhart/Mobile%20Uploads/20151028_235218_zpsd7w1evav.jpg) (http://s935.photobucket.com/user/Jeremy_Gebhart/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20151028_235218_zpsd7w1evav.jpg.html)

These pictures also show the girth belt dyed. The kama edges probably doesn't look right in the front because it's just taped to the belt.
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Nov 07, 2015, 03:31 PM
Alright, got some boots for you. And the best thing is that they were $20 from Walmart!  8)

(http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/Jeremy_Gebhart/Mobile%20Uploads/20151105_234024_zpsfiffffmp.jpg) (http://s935.photobucket.com/user/Jeremy_Gebhart/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20151105_234024_zpsfiffffmp.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Lynn TXP 0369 on Nov 08, 2015, 09:05 AM
Looks good, If the Kama were mine I would make it wrap around the front "just" a little more if you can.
I like the boots, what brand are they at Walmart?  I'd have to dye or paint mine white.

Lynn
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Nov 08, 2015, 09:08 AM
Vor'e Lynn! The are Brahmas.

I may recut my kama, but it was initially based on a picture of a clone trooper that I found with his kama just barely past the side of his legs. I'll see if I can find the picture.
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Nov 08, 2015, 09:16 AM
Here is the clone that I was talking about. Although now that I look at it again, I think mine may need to be longer.

(http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/Jeremy_Gebhart/Mobile%20Uploads/6734_zpsicmyqeko.jpg) (http://s935.photobucket.com/user/Jeremy_Gebhart/media/Mobile%20Uploads/6734_zpsicmyqeko.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Lynn TXP 0369 on Nov 08, 2015, 09:27 AM
Aah OK, That looks good.
 Are you hemming the edges on the sides and bottom or leaving them just cut?
I'll have to look for those boots, thanks.
Lynn
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Nov 08, 2015, 10:09 AM
I haven't decided yet. I may edge it in a dull yellow, which is the primary color for my armor.
 
Anytime!
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Nov 14, 2015, 02:12 AM
Finally got some soft parts update!
 
Neck seal!
(http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/Jeremy_Gebhart/Mobile%20Uploads/20151114_020136_zpszmne5mzs.jpg) (http://s935.photobucket.com/user/Jeremy_Gebhart/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20151114_020136_zpszmne5mzs.jpg.html)

Here's the velcro on the back, and some soft fabric on the inside.
(http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/Jeremy_Gebhart/Mobile%20Uploads/20151114_005232_zpsrdakgxa7.jpg) (http://s935.photobucket.com/user/Jeremy_Gebhart/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20151114_005232_zpsrdakgxa7.jpg.html)

There will eventually be a strip of velcro running all the way around the neck seal to hold neck armor (forth coming). I've got several things in process such as: crushgaunts, a new kama, and a new clasp for the belt my kama will be attached to. There just isn't enough progress to show right now. I also hope to start on my flak vest shortly.
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Raestin Ke'Varek on Nov 16, 2015, 11:20 AM
Great job vod!! A neckseal is next on my to-do list.  :)
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Nov 16, 2015, 11:37 AM
Vor'e vod! The neck seal was not horrible to make. The velcro was the hardest part for me as I hand sewed it.
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Nov 17, 2015, 12:21 AM
Ok, I fixed up some odds and ends including: putting a new buckle on the colored belt, washing the white duck cloth and cutting a slightly bigger kama, and sewing short extensions to the flightsuit (you'll see when I start on the crushgaunts).

Here is what I've got right now.
(http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/Jeremy_Gebhart/Mobile%20Uploads/20151116_235732_zpsfh9lyg2m.jpg) (http://s935.photobucket.com/user/Jeremy_Gebhart/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20151116_235732_zpsfh9lyg2m.jpg.html)

And...
(http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/Jeremy_Gebhart/Mobile%20Uploads/20151116_235930_zpsi8iktwmt.jpg) (http://s935.photobucket.com/user/Jeremy_Gebhart/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20151116_235930_zpsi8iktwmt.jpg.html)

I realized that the "girth belt" I was using really wasn't doing me much good as a girth belt, so it has been relegated to kama duty. I've got most of what I need to make a girth belt, and then on to the vest and crushgaunts.

<nerd-rant>
I have to admit, it was kinda cool to put everything on for the first time. I know it's not exactly close to full armor, but there is enough there to give a sense of presence.
</nerd-rant>  :D
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Nov 19, 2015, 12:24 PM
Question, for the girth belt, in general, how tall should it be? With my vest at my belly button, there isn't a ton of room for it to cover without overlapping the vest (which I think would look off).

Vor'e!
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Raestin Ke'Varek on Nov 19, 2015, 01:24 PM
I know Sidi makes hers around 5" in width, but I've seen people use lots of different widths depending on their kit.  You don't technically even have to have one.  You just have to make sure that you have at least 2 waist items...
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Nov 19, 2015, 02:11 PM
Vor'e Raestin! That helps a lot.

I personally don't consider the kama/belt much of a waist item, so I'm doing a girth belt and a holster/utility belt.
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Nov 20, 2015, 07:37 PM
Aah OK, That looks good.
 Are you hemming the edges on the sides and bottom or leaving them just cut?
I'll have to look for those boots, thanks.
Lynn

Confession, I didn't remember what hemming was till the other day. Yes, I do plan to hem the kama. :)
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Nov 22, 2015, 09:15 PM
Guess what these are?

(http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/Jeremy_Gebhart/Mobile%20Uploads/20151122_210646_zpsakcdwgkr.jpg) (http://s935.photobucket.com/user/Jeremy_Gebhart/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20151122_210646_zpsakcdwgkr.jpg.html)

The start of my crushgaunts!  8) I've still got a lot to do, but I'm really excited to start these. :) I'll see if I can draw up a couple of drawings of my ideas...
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Nov 23, 2015, 09:18 PM
Here are some drawings of armor patterns that I had thought of.

(http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/Jeremy_Gebhart/Mobile%20Uploads/20151123_210814_zpsfbuhsueq.jpg) (http://s935.photobucket.com/user/Jeremy_Gebhart/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20151123_210814_zpsfbuhsueq.jpg.html)

I like the square one and square/diamond combo ones best. I thought about overlapping chevrons on the arms, but since I don't have Legacy armor, I don't think that would work well (I have the normal modern armor plates).

Thoughts? Criticism (other than my drawings stink)? :)
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Nov 29, 2015, 08:19 AM
Small update:

I was able to use liquid stitch to hem the edges of my kama. After I dye it (which I'm hoping to do soon), I'll sew it to the belt I have for it.
(http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/Jeremy_Gebhart/Mobile%20Uploads/20151127_123320_zpsiif8pfwg.jpg) (http://s935.photobucket.com/user/Jeremy_Gebhart/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20151127_123320_zpsiif8pfwg.jpg.html)

I'll try to get a picture of it taped to the belt and me wearing it.
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Raestin Ke'Varek on Nov 30, 2015, 10:39 AM
Great job with the liquid stitch vod!  Looks really clean!
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Nov 30, 2015, 10:49 AM
Vor'e Raestin! Your compliments are a big encouragement right now. I'm not making much forward progress.

Question for you, how did you smooth the edges out on your flak vest? Mine are looking kind of ragged right now. I was thinking of using liquid stich to flatten them out like I did the kama edges.
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Raestin Ke'Varek on Nov 30, 2015, 11:19 AM
Hey...any progress is just that, progress!!  Keep up the good work.   :)

In order to keep the edges of the duck cloth from fraying and looking nasty, I double pressed the edges, them stitched it nice and neat.  Here is a crude drawing of how I do it.  Liquid stitch would likely do the same thing, just be sure and glue all those pesky threads down so they don't start to fray.  :)

(http://i.imgur.com/TcYAohj.png)

Good luck!
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Nov 30, 2015, 11:24 AM
Gotcha. It's probably a good thing that I have a lot of the brown duck cloth then. Lol. I need to make my pieces wider.
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Raestin Ke'Varek on Nov 30, 2015, 11:29 AM
Even if you could do a single press and use the liquid stitch, that should work...do you have enough fabric on your vest to do that?  It probably wouldn't affect the vest dimensions too bad... 

OR

You could always just run a single stitch along the cut sections, wash it and give it a purposely frayed edge for a nice weathering effect.  :)
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Nov 30, 2015, 11:34 AM
I haven't looked at the pieces in several days. My last recollection was that they needed to be recut to give a little more room. I'll take a look at them tonight and evaluate. You might be on to something with the weathering suggestion... :)
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Dec 01, 2015, 10:20 PM
Here are the gauntlet parts of my crushgaunts. They've been cut and shaped (sort of).

(http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/Jeremy_Gebhart/Mobile%20Uploads/20151201_213955_zps657fdnkm.jpg) (http://s935.photobucket.com/user/Jeremy_Gebhart/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20151201_213955_zps657fdnkm.jpg.html)

They just need the inside edges straightened out and the hinges can go on.
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Dec 02, 2015, 11:50 PM
Woohoo! The left gauntlet is "done"!  :D

(http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/Jeremy_Gebhart/Mobile%20Uploads/20151202_233632_zpsggftljty.jpg) (http://s935.photobucket.com/user/Jeremy_Gebhart/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20151202_233632_zpsggftljty.jpg.html)

In all reality, I've got some filling and alignment issues that need to be worked out, but the first armored piece is together and feeling awesome!  8)
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Dec 04, 2015, 12:32 AM
So as not to upset the forum mods too much, here is the same picture taken with welders gloves instead of the deerskin leather gloves I had before.

(http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/Jeremy_Gebhart/Mobile%20Uploads/20151204_001321_zps6fzimhj5.jpg) (http://s935.photobucket.com/user/Jeremy_Gebhart/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20151204_001321_zps6fzimhj5.jpg.html)

Overall, these feel much better. The wrist portion of the other glove kept pulling out from under the gauntlet, so I got these instead. These ones stay put. The only downsides are that the index finger keeps coming out of the slot slightly when go to grab something and that they are a bit on the warm side. The finger coming out will be somewhat remedied when I put finger armor on it.
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Aden Banto on Dec 04, 2015, 12:34 AM
Nice gaunts vod  8) You'll have to go searching for some sweet greebles for that  :)
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Dec 04, 2015, 12:37 AM
Thanks vod! I have some ideas.  8) These will be crushgaunts eventually so all of that will be armored in the end. I may put some greebs on it to give impression of machinery. We'll see.
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Raestin Ke'Varek on Dec 04, 2015, 10:55 AM
Great job on the gauntlets sir!  I can't wait to see them finished, crush gaunts are so cool! Are you doing just one?  Or will they both be crush gaunts?

- Also, be sure and update your gauntlet thread, so everyone can see the awesomeness.  :)
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Dec 04, 2015, 11:11 AM
Thanks vod! I will be doing both. I'm short four Chicago screws so the other one is on standby until I can get them. :) I've got a little bondoing to do on the closure side of this one to close a couple gaps and straighten the back edge a little (you can't really see it in this picture), and I can then start cutting paper to template the individual armored plates.

Absolutely. I've actually got the crushgaunt part in three separate threads (here, the WIP over in the accessories board, and one in my clan board). I copy and paste any major updates to all three. :) Thanks for the reminder though!
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Dec 05, 2015, 07:54 PM
Ok, I've got the gaunts done (crushgaunts are this weird middle ground between soft parts and gauntlets). The right one needed some adjustment.

(http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/Jeremy_Gebhart/Mobile%20Uploads/20151205_192710_zpsjxgctv0v.jpg) (http://s935.photobucket.com/user/Jeremy_Gebhart/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20151205_192710_zpsjxgctv0v.jpg.html)

I'm hoping to bondo them either tonight or tomorrow. Then comes the fun part of designing all of the plates. :)
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Dec 07, 2015, 10:58 PM
So I got these in the mail this week. :)

(http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/Jeremy_Gebhart/Mobile%20Uploads/20151207_224843_zps9h1espfu.jpg) (http://s935.photobucket.com/user/Jeremy_Gebhart/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20151207_224843_zps9h1espfu.jpg.html)

Yes, they are different colors. I need to get a hold of some black leather dye and I'll remedy that. I've taken some 220 grit sandpaper and roughed up the belt already. You can see some of it in the picture.
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Jan 03, 2016, 09:38 PM
So it turned out that the leather dye didn't work well, so at the suggestion of another Merc, I painted the pouches black. He said that his have held up well, but I may put a sealer of some kind on it.

(http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/Jeremy_Gebhart/Mobile%20Uploads/20160103_212606_zpscagtptgh.jpg) (http://s935.photobucket.com/user/Jeremy_Gebhart/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160103_212606_zpscagtptgh.jpg.html)

Still gotta weather them, but they're definitely heading in the right direction. :)
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Raestin Ke'Varek on Jan 03, 2016, 09:51 PM
Those pouches turned out great vod!!  Glad to see the paint worked out!  Keep it up!  :)
Title: Re: Kel Graten - Soft Parts WIP
Post by: Ju'siik Kelborn on Jan 03, 2016, 09:55 PM
Vor'e vod!