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[Starling]

Here’s my plans, character intro, and all that stuff! http://mandalorianmercs.org/forum/index.php?topic=199627.msg2197901#msg2197901

Current progress:
(2/7/21) I’ve drawn out my armor plan, tested a pattern for a belt pouch, and have boots to use. I have a plan for my flight suit and flak vest.
Update: turns out the pattern I have is too baggy for a flight suit, and I stink at patterning. I’m going to look for somewhere I can buy scrubs.
Update 2: I have a belt and boots! And I might be returning to the idea of making my own flight suit to avoid accidental inside out sleeves. I’ll need to buy a LOT of stuff for it (material, 1” elastic, a new iron, and ironing board, tags so I don’t put the pants on backwards...) but it’s all stuff I’d be getting at some point anyways.
(2/19/21) I have patterns for the shirt and pants!

[trashcanmando]

Your concepts look good!

As for what you said in your concept thread about your gloves, it's possible that the gloves you have might work. I've ripped logos off of glove straps before. Show us some pics before you go buy some new gloves.

Scrubs will work well and give you a two piece flight suit. I've used coveralls so far but I'm thinking of switching to two piece, honestly.

[Starling]

Your concepts look good!

As for what you said in your concept thread about your gloves, it's possible that the gloves you have might work. I've ripped logos off of glove straps before. Show us some pics before you go buy some new gloves.

Scrubs will work well and give you a two piece flight suit. I've used coveralls so far but I'm thinking of switching to two piece, honestly.

Alright, I’ll take some glove photos later. I do use the gloves for riding, so any modifications would need to still be fully functional, which is why I’m considering just getting a pair of plain black gloves.

And a general question: can I do armor on my outer forearm and just a fabric/leather/vinyl wrap on my inner arm, to avoid the insanity that is hinges and sizing a cylinder?

[trashcanmando]

In that case, yes, you should probably get gloves specifically for your kit. But if you like that pair, you might be able to just get a second pair.

CRLs state: 'Full or half/bracer-style hard shell gauntlets that cover at least 2/3 of the length of the forearm from wrist to elbow and at least half of the circumference.' and then, 'If half bracers are used, they must display a permanent, in-universe method of securing them to the forearm, such as leather or nylon straps.' So, yes, you should be alright with a plate strapped to the back of your forearm, so long as it covers at least the specified area of your arm and the straps look in universe. But the hinge really isn't so bad- I bought a piano hinge off amazon and glued it to a toilet brush holder, lol. If you want 3D printed gauntlets, the math isn't so hard to do and there are a lot of people willing to help you. I'm not trying to talk you out of a half bracer- but don't feel limited or intimidated.

[Starling]

Since this is my first build, and also doesn’t need to be approvable for a few years, I think I’m going to go half bracers. There a good chance I’d grow out of full gauntlets anyway.

[Starling]

I’m a bit lost with ordering scrubs. Is there a good quality pair someone’s bought from Amazon? It’s hard to tell anything from the photos.

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My plan, as of right now: buy scrubs. Buy or make a neck seal. Buy a custom flak vest from the forums. Depending on cost, maybe get one with fancy upgrades. Make paper or cardboard patterns for all non-torso armor and start testing sizes and shapes. Find a girth belt. Repurpose tail belt for an ammo/gun belt. Buy or make pouches and holsters. Probably buy holsters. Start figuring out how gauntlets will fit.

[trashcanmando]

Personally I would go thrift them. Or walmart sells scrubs. I don't know of any good online places or good brands to buy directly from.

[Starling]

Personally I would go thrift them. Or walmart sells scrubs. I don't know of any good online places or good brands to buy directly from.

Alright, thank you!

[Starling]

In case I can’t find scrubs/a flight suit in the right color, how do I dye it? Is there a kind of fabric I should use? A type of dye? How does dying even work? (I’ve never done it before)

[Aratris]

I've used Rit Dye to great effect.
As far as I know, there isn't really a limit to what fabrics you can dye, buy you should probably check their website.
Bassically, you take your fabric or whatever, then dump it into either a washing machine and add dye, or a really hot bucket of water and add dye, and stir the pot. Wait an hour, or a wash cycle, and it comes out. Voila.

[Starling]

Ok, that doesn’t seem too hard! Thanks!

Update: I have a belt! Dark brown leather, fits me well + has room, decent quality. I’ll have to find a way to cover the logo on the buckle but I think other than that it’s fine.
Closeup of the material
Closeup of the underside/back of the buckle

Maybe I can glue/screw/other method of attachment a small piece of sintra onto it? This is also my tail belt when I’m fursuiting so I want it to still be usable for that.

(The images just disappeared for some reason?)

[Starling]

Sorry for double posting, but did all the images disappear for anyone else??

[Aran Skirata]

I can't see them either, might be an issue with imgur?

[Starling]

I’m using discord and sta.sh to host my images. I might have to start linking instead of embedding?

Here’s the belt pics again in the meantime https://sta.sh/0l33l7i31e4 and https://sta.sh/21n9enj2h8cz?edit=1

Note to self- add boot pics

[trashcanmando]

Imgur is the reccomended pic hosting site

That belt should do fine. I've filled in logos on metal objects with bondo before, after some paint and weathering you can barely tell.