Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club
Mandalorian Armor => Female Armor => Topic started by: J'Khara Vontess on Apr 05, 2016, 12:47 AM
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I just started cutting out my armor and placing the pieces on my duct tape dummy. I found it useful to put one of my regular bras on my dummy because, though I stuffed the dummy, that area didn't hold shape very well. I also found it helpful to cut darts into my paper chest pieces so they would curve better and I can get a better idea of what it looks like. Because I didn't have enough material to stuff my dummy, the ab plate is a little too close to the other pieces, so I'll wait till I get more stuffing, or tape the pieces on my body, before making a final template for that piece. I'm so excited to see my ideas start coming alive! Any feedback is much appreciated, thank you!(http://i.imgur.com/KhYuFCo.jpg)
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Excellent start! I think your chest plates might be a bit on the long side. One of the most helpful pieces of advice I got with my armour was that the chest pieces didn't have to cover your whole breast. Kris Jasra pointed out that if you follow the curve to about halfway down then it's significantly less curving/darting and messing around than if you try to cover it all exactly. I ended up recutting my chest pieces and I'm way happier.
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Kirs and Garden (I'm gonna call you Garden now, ok? ;) ) Are both correct. You want your ab plate to end at your belly button and the tails of your chest plates should end about half way down your rib cage.
I love the shape of your collar plate and chest plates!
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I feel summoned... I like the shaping on those plates.
And lol, yeah, unless you have a really long torso, you may find it easier to have the ab start higher than you'd expect. The top of my ab is actually sitting against the bottom band of my bra rather than against my stomach. And my chest plates cut off at my lower breast, makes for a lot less curving as you don't need to go all the way back under the breast.
And some advice you likely won't find on the main boards so much :P - buy yourself a couple of mando only bras. Something comfy to wear for long periods that has no bits that dig in if armour is over them. Shape and trim and fit everything while wearing that bra only. And drop the other one into whatever you use to store or transport your armour. There's nothing worse than realising you have the wrong bra on for an event (alas for the experience to say that).
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Also, remember that the dart on the chest plates may make things fit differently in sintra or metal. I had a much more, umm, severe need for curves, so more darts, and then had to completely change everything when I noticed the sintra fit differently (read: badly) than the paper which had been drafted and formed to fit me. I ended up actually rotating the chest plates 180˚ and swapping the sides they were on (it was strange, really. I couldn't believe that it actually worked).
This, sadly, means that I now have to redesign and recut the ab and collar plates as retrofitting them to the new shape didn't work. My collar is going to end up similar in shape to yours. I haven't posted pictures of the current configuration on the forum yet, but this post is basically reminding you to expect the unexpected.
Unless you have a great deal of patience and money to replace things, I personally recommend fitting the chest to your desired shape first and then reshaping the surrounding templates as needed before you cut them out of your material. I also waited to cut the edge with the diamond until I was happy with the fit. This may not be how others do it (I don't know), but if it might help, great!
Note: contrary to Kris' and Garden's suggestion, mine DO cover my entire breast, but because of my shape, and the bra I've got, that was necessary to get the spacing of everything right.
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Thank you all for the advise and compliments! I've got a few more adjustments to make and then I'll post another update soon.
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And some advice you likely won't find on the main boards so much :P - buy yourself a couple of mando only bras. Something comfy to wear for long periods that has no bits that dig in if armour is over them. Shape and trim and fit everything while wearing that bra only. And drop the other one into whatever you use to store or transport your armour. There's nothing worse than realizing you have the wrong bra on for an event (alas for the experience to say that).
^^THIS.^^^ ALL FEM-MANDOS TAKE NOTE.
This is why Kris is awesome.
Believe me, the more you troop, the more this makes sense.
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I must echo everyone already; the shape of your plates look great!
And some advice you likely won't find on the main boards so much :P - buy yourself a couple of mando only bras. Something comfy to wear for long periods that has no bits that dig in if armour is over them. Shape and trim and fit everything while wearing that bra only. And drop the other one into whatever you use to store or transport your armour. There's nothing worse than realising you have the wrong bra on for an event (alas for the experience to say that).
I believe you just saved the lives of fem-mandos everywhere. You just saved mine, and I haven't constructed my armor yet.
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Update: I trimmed a few template pieces and they seem to fit nicely. I am going to trim the top of the ab plate a bit more to match the spacing between collar and chest plates but other than that I'm happy with it. The back plate is done too but I need to take a better picture of it. (http://Mando https://imgur.com/a/Zg9kB)
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You could also try shifting everything up just a little instead of trimming the plate down, but it all looks really good so far. Are you going to even up the sides of the chest plates when you move them to sintra?
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You could also try shifting everything up just a little instead of trimming the plate down, but it all looks really good so far. Are you going to even up the sides of the chest plates when you move them to sintra?
Oh you beat me to it! Lol so uh what she said :P
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Couple of tricks I've found while doing breast plates in sintra. Cut the sides of the chest a little longer than you think you may need - that will give a margin to cut them all down smoothly without having to worry about trimming to one section thats ended up a little short. And cut and form the collar and chest, then re-template the ab - between paper and sintra the angle of the bottom tab on the chest plate can change and the ab made now may not fit as well.
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I was going to suggest the same thing as Kris- I ended up having to recut my ab plate a lot smaller after my chest plates were formed and attached so that they would all meet up properly :)
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Your armor looks like it's going to have a great shape on your body! I love the little details with the points <3
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(http://i.imgur.com/Dz3Zrid.jpg)
sorry it has been a while, but I've definitely been working. I changed up the spacing on my templates and evened up the sides of the chest plates. I started cutting pieces out of 6mm sintra...well technically I've only cut it the collar so far. Y'all were so right about the bra thing, I'm wearing a different one in this picture than the one before and it's more comfortable and tons cheaper than the one I had on the the other picture, so I bought another just like it for my Mando.
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The spacing looks like it might be a little wide between the collar, chest and ab. But other wise it's looks great! I love the shape of your plates :)
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I designed my own vest template and now I'm sewing it out of duck cloth. Before I finish stitching the sides, I want to make sure my plates will fit on the vest, so I'm going to start cutting plates soon. (https://i.imgur.com/ilBALzK.jpg)
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coming along nicely
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I cut out my back plate and just realized that I might have a problem and I need your help. My design does not include the neck armor, will this be an issue? (https://i.imgur.com/VYqBtyH.jpg)
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Looks fine to me. It covers the required 2/3rds of your back and it's not sitting around your kidneys :P
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If anything I'd shave off a tad to open up the neck hole. Other than that it is good to go.
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I've been making tons of progress. I finished sewing my vest. I cut, formed, sanded, and painted the base metal on most of my plates (except my back and collar plates and my gauntlets). I decided to have thigh and cod plates in addition to the other required plates. Below is a picture of my cut upper body plates laid out on my mostly finished vest along with my bucket. Next is my finished vest, front and back. Finally, my plates laid out for their base metal painting. (https://i.imgur.com/ISmi5Vg.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/hlif4Al.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/m1LyZQI.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/xyDYcXF.jpg)
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Great progress, vod. Keep it up.
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I love the shape of the plates
Your vest looks like its a great fit :D
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I am quite enjoying the cut out at the bottom of your comando bucket. :)
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Great progress! Now hurry up and finish so we can troop together! :P :)
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Great progress! Now hurry up and finish so we can troop together! :P :)
We're working on it. Weather and life are trying to conspire against us. Goal is still OM by Orlando.
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Ok I know it looks like I have been stagnant, not true! I had paint issues, had to strip all of my plates and my bucket and start painting all over again. Tip for everyone, DO NOT USE RUSTOLEUM AMERICAN ACCENTS AS A BASE METAL!! So I switched paints and they are working fine (When I finish a few pieces I'll post them). For now, I'll just show you my gauntlets (https://i.imgur.com/ZgjvI0I.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/kF9zQiQ.jpg)
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Those look nice! How are you closing them? Velcro? Magnets?
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Great progress! I can't wait to see this finished and to troop with you.
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So glad you got the paint situation figure out! Now go go go! Celebration is 2 months away!!
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Those look nice! How are you closing them? Velcro? Magnets?
Magnets and hinges
So glad you got the paint situation figure out! Now go go go! Celebration is 2 months away!!
Gah! Not helpful! :p
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Just trying to get you guys motivated :P
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I promised paint pictures. Here are my pre-weathered shoulder and collar plates. Still have to paint the new gold on my other plates.(http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c155/ferretsgirl/Mandalorian/0209172243a.jpg)
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I love that paint job, very original. Looking forward to the rest.
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I can't wait to see the rest! :)
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That looks crazy complicated to paint. Nice job!
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Wow! I wouldn't have the time, patience or clean lines for that color scheme :laugh: looking good!
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This is just more for fun than anything, but I got my westar holsters and I'm so excited! They look awesome! I've got my in progress westars and they fit great. I also have room for my bes'bev. I couldn't resist putting on my 2x painted, stripped and repainted bucket and a piece of armor just to see it all come together. Yay! (https://i.imgur.com/SCwbZpa.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/3o1eZ3b.jpg)
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Looking good!
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Haha, nice! Everything looks really good all together, the colors draw together well. That paint scheme is still killer.
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Wow, amazing colors going on! The holsters look really good, too.
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I've progressed on the crazy colors. Since I finished my armor in sections, different plates are at different stages of color. Not pictured is my left knee, my backplate, and my gauntlets which are all painted gold but have no color yet. My left shoulder bell and cod are actually weathered, but it's hard to see in this photo.(https://i.imgur.com/59s48Sq.jpg)
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Awesome!
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I can see you winning the "Skittles" award once you're OM. :P
This is looking really good, vod.
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After so many false starts and headaches, I'm SO glad to see it all coming together, J'Khara!
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I can see you winning the "Skittles" award once you're OM. :P
This is looking really good, vod.
She'll be the Skittlorian!
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She'll be the Skittlorian!
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
I love it!
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Awesome paint job!
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All those crisp, lovely lines! Gorgeous!
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I could not do that paint job. Way too many little crisp lines and masking and re-masking for me! Fantastic work. :)
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Beautiful paint job!
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She's turning into a crazy woman. I might offer to update for her the next few days...the goal apparently is pre app by next Saturday. I'm not sure if I should be proud of her dedication...or scared of the monster I've created :p
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Those two mental states are not mutually exclusive, vod. :D
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this is coming out awesome!
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Holy cow! I'm not usually a fan of vibrant colors, but I love yours! Keep up the good work!
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Holy cow! I'm not usually a fan of vibrant colors, but I love yours! Keep up the good work!
It's the pattern. It's amazingly nauseating.
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Am I just missing photos here? Not seen any updates for a while... everybody else apparently has.
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Am I just missing photos here? Not seen any updates for a while... everybody else apparently has.
Her last update was the 23rd, though she's made progress since then. I'll see if she's OK with me posting some updates for her
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lol, think its just my computer, I went back to the 23rd and no pics are showing in the post :P I'll just have to wait to see the skittle effect.
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lol, think its just my computer, I went back to the 23rd and no pics are showing in the post :P I'll just have to wait to see the skittle effect.
I just quoted her last update Kris. Maybe you can see it now. :)
I've progressed on the crazy colors. Since I finished my armor in sections, different plates are at different stages of color. Not pictured is my left knee, my backplate, and my gauntlets which are all painted gold but have no color yet. My left shoulder bell and cod are actually weathered, but it's hard to see in this photo.(http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c155/ferretsgirl/Mandalorian/IMG_20170323_062104_974.jpg)
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Oh, that was a good idea - I can see it in the quote box :P. Definitely going to win a skittles competition. I don't want to think how much taping you had to do to get all those.
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Oh, that was a good idea - I can see it in the quote box :P. Definitely going to win a skittles competition. I don't want to think how much taping you had to do to get all those.
No, you really don't. Malakier sends me pictures of the taping process sometimes... and it turns my hair gray just looking at them.
But, I am SO excited to see this come together!
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I love it. It has that artsy Sabine flavor but is still unique. I can't wait to see it all put together.
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Oh, that was a good idea - I can see it in the quote box :P. Definitely going to win a skittles competition. I don't want to think how much taping you had to do to get all those.
I watched her tape her back plate. Took her about 8 hrs to figure out the pattern
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You guys are right about the taping! The amount of tape I've gone through to do this is astronomical! Here are all the plates that have completed colors and now completed phase 1 of weathering. Carbon scoring to come! (https://i.imgur.com/f50YlhS.jpg)
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Woohoo! Keep it up, Skittlorian! :D
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I think they should make an award called, More Colorful than a Skittle Pack Award. And then give it to you. :laugh:
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I think they should make an award called, More Colorful than a Skittle Pack Award. And then give it to you. :laugh:
I second it!!
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I think they should make an award called, More Colorful than a Skittle Pack Award. And then give it to you. :laugh:
I humbly accept! Haha
I've got the upper-body armor on my vest.
So exciting! I also added a close up showing the weathering because it's hard to see in the first photo. (https://i.imgur.com/aGQhDK8.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/PhIfj5p.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/bPISC4y.jpg)
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That looks amazing! I love how the colors are vibrant yet against the brown vest they don't overwhelm your eyes.
What does the script on your diamond say?
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Yes! I love it the colors. I don't wanna see it get weathered :'( but it must happen. I can imagine the tape and struggled. Totally worth it however.
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I so love how this is coming together, J'Khara.
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That looks amazing! I love how the colors are vibrant yet against the brown vest they don't overwhelm your eyes.
What does the script on your diamond say?
The script says Malakier
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Your kit looks really good, vod.
And I told Mal you guys should buy stock in whichever company manufactures all that tape you're using. :D
You're making great progress, and I can't wait to see you and your kit at Celebration!
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The script says Malakier
That's awesome!
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Wow! Your kit looks amazing especially when all of the plates are put together. Can't wait to see it when it's totally done :)
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So the one thing I regret leaving out of this WIP is my backplate build. I added a sintra pack to my backplate that holds a camel bak which has a hose that hooks to my helmet. I super glued it together and filled the gaps with putty. The lid on top has a hinge and is held down with a magnet that is in the lip piece. This is the final product minus weathering held up on my body dummy. (https://i.imgur.com/EdO8eiC.jpg)
*Edit* Here are the build photos
Hinge lid
(https://i.imgur.com/NfThbbU.jpg)
Pack, after pieces were super glued together and before seems were filled with putty. (https://i.imgur.com/ivzlXFZ.jpg)
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I absolutely love this!
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That is super cool.
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Really like the backplate vod! especially the fact that it can hold stuff!
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Love the backplate. It really came out well.
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Complete front and back before leaving for celebration. Thank you all for the encouragement and it was awesome to meet everyone!
Note my water hose isn't hooked up In this photo,
And I have a bit more weathering to do on some of the soft parts,
But it's basically ready to go!
(http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c155/ferretsgirl/Mandalorian/received_10101494052354052.jpeg)(http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c155/ferretsgirl/Mandalorian/received_10101501233478022.jpeg)
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Saw your pics from Celebration. It looks great! The colors all flow together nicely. Those little extra weathering touches will really set this off.
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that is a very cool and unique paint job
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After seeing this kit in person, all I can say is that reality is even cooler than the photos!
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You looked amazing, and it was so nice to meet you in person!! You're definitely ready for pre-app.
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^^That!^^ App in, app in, app in, app in! :laugh:
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You looked amazing, and it was so nice to meet you in person!! You're definitely ready for pre-app.
Thank you, and it was nice to meet you too! Pre-apps will be in this weekend and I'm so excited. Thank you too Havelock for all the encouragement!
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I ain't the Motivat'alor for nothin', sister. *In my best Han Solo voice, which, honestly, probably isn't very good. lol*
Seriously, though, your kit is awesome, and is totally ready as far as I can see.
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It really was even cooler in person at SWCO! Loved the paint job and meant to come tell you that face to face! :)
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Looks awesome vod!!
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In pre-app. Thank you everyone for you help, comments, and positive vibes!
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You've got this.
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You got this sister!!!! You'll be OM soon! <3
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Hey y'all I have been working on upgrading my kit, starting with my waist item I fondly refer to as my mando miniskirt (I'll show pictures as soon as I make the switch from photobucket). What I really want to ask about is shin plates. I love my boots, but because my armor is all about vision distortion, I feel the pattern should continue down to my feet. What do y'all recommend for attaching shin plates so they are as comfortable as possible and retain as much movement as possible? Should I get tall boots and attach them to those? I also considered making duck cloth gators and attaching them to that instead of my flight suit. Let me know what you think!
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I personally find that wearing tall boots and attaching the boots in the same method as my vest works best since the armor won't budge or come loose unless a bolt pops. But it does mean completely dedicating a nice pair of boots for the costume.
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I have a PSA and I'm not sure where to put it, so I'm putting it here and in my brigade WIP. So my back plate is designed to hold a camel bak. However, due to the bulk I have to remove the plate every time I de-kit. My kit has seen 1 year of action and my Velcro is wearing down to the point where it can hardly hold my back plate even if I don't have water in it.
Here is the PSA part: turns out, I used a "designer" type Velcro instead of industrial. Designer is meant for more delicate sewing projects and the Velcro is less stiff, more form fitting. I figured Velcro is Velcro; this was wrong! Even if you have a fitted vest (mine is fitted as it has darts on front and back) use heavy duty Velcro if you have a back plate you always remove!
(https://i.imgur.com/fnsuGeN.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/HOJH9sU.jpg)
It's an easily avoidable mistake I'm paying for, I will have to remove all of this Velcro and replace it with heavy duty Velcro if I want to keep my backplate and, more importantly, keep carrying water.
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Alright I decided to ditch the mando skirt and make a girth belt, so here it goes. First, I made a new jersey sash that is shorter than my previous mando skirt. It fits way better, but I'll have to make kamas or something to cover by behind, which was the original intent of the skirt. Next I bought this cool looking braded rope band from Joann's fabrics. The plan is to have 3 layers (here I'm just testing for size). This stuff frays like crazy, I have a few ideas on how I'd like to overcome that challenge, and I'll show you guys what I come up with. Stay tuned! (https://i.imgur.com/QY4gEvZ.jpg)
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I love how that looks! :<3:
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No goodies. Yay!