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[Rilal Birom]

Your build is shaping up nicely!  Love the patterns you made for the belt pouch and holster.  I'm one of the ones from FB who was offering leather working advice, so feel free to message me if you have leather working questions.  I may not always have an answer, but if I can help I'd like to.

[Vercopaanir]

Your build is shaping up nicely!  Love the patterns you made for the belt pouch and holster.  I'm one of the ones from FB who was offering leather working advice, so feel free to message me if you have leather working questions.  I may not always have an answer, but if I can help I'd like to.

Thanks!  I will definitely take you up on that.  I need all the help I can get.    This will be my first foray into working with anything over 1oz, (other than punching holes in stirrup leathers and belts) also my first time working with leather dye, and finishing an edge.  I have a lot to learn.  I was thinking I would start with one of the pouches as a learning experience.  I've watched a lot of YouTube videos here and there about this and I'm ready to try my hand at it.   I was thinking I would stitch the sides closed through the back.  Those extra flaps I left in the pattern were for that purpose.  That way I can hide the stiches but I don't have to trust solely in glue.  I have mixed feelings about leather glue.  Anyways enough rambling.  You'll probably be hearing from me soon! 

Oh and that girthbelt you made a while back, that turquoise one with the brownish/reddish/purplish stitching, was fabulous.  Pretty sure that was you. 

[Rilal Birom]

Thanks!  I will definitely take you up on that.  I need all the help I can get.    This will be my first foray into working with anything over 1oz, (other than punching holes in stirrup leathers and belts) also my first time working with leather dye, and finishing an edge.  I have a lot to learn. 

I've been doing leatherwork since I was a child and I still have a LOT left to learn, lol.  It's a massive hobby with skills to be learned all over the place.  I'd be happy to help you (or anyone here) by sharing what I know.

I was thinking I would start with one of the pouches as a learning experience.  I've watched a lot of YouTube videos here and there about this and I'm ready to try my hand at it.   I was thinking I would stitch the sides closed through the back.  Those extra flaps I left in the pattern were for that purpose.  That way I can hide the stiches but I don't have to trust solely in glue.  I have mixed feelings about leather glue. 

For leather glue, I LOVE using Barge Contact Cement (Blue Label).  There are plenty of others, but I have had great success with this brand/product.  I have also had good success with 3M (spray) Contact Adhesive...it's just messier to apply, lol.  With the Barge or other products that come in a tube it is useful to have popsicle sticks on-hand to apply the glue to your seams.  It cuts down on the mess.  I clip one of the short ends flat for a thinner glue applicator.  You could also just buy a pack of plastic applicators like these, which is what I do these days...I find that these can totally be reusable for a while if you rub the old contact cement off (or peel it off after it dries).  If you have a block of wood that fits inside your pouch, you could glue up the pouch first, then using the wood block inside for support you could punch holes for sewing, which means all your stitching holes will line up.  There are other ways to do this, but this is probably the simplest/most straight-forward.  It might also help to have a curved sewing needle, and a pair of needle-nose pliers to sew with.

Anyways enough rambling.  You'll probably be hearing from me soon! 

I look forward to seeing your build come together!  And ask away with any questions you have and I'll do my best to answer them quickly!

Oh and that girthbelt you made a while back, that turquoise one with the brownish/reddish/purplish stitching, was fabulous.  Pretty sure that was you. 

Oh, thank you so much!  That girth belt was indeed me, lol.  My kit's color palette is browns, burgundy, a touch of teal for a little flair, and silver a-la unpainted Beskar.  I'm hoping that I made it wide enough...time will tell.  If not, I'll make a nearly identical one that is wider.  Practice makes perfect, and each time I've remade it it's gotten better!  I want to burn some Mando'a script into the leather strip down the center of it, but I haven't figured out what I want it to say yet...I've been dabbling with the idea of simply the word "honor", so if I die I can say I died with honor?  lol.  Silliness aside, I do want something meaningful inscribed on it.  Just not sure what yet.

[Vercopaanir]

For leather glue, I LOVE using Barge Contact Cement (Blue Label).  With the Barge or other products that come in a tube it is useful to have popsicle sticks on-hand to apply the glue to your seams.

I will give that a shot. I have only ever used a glue that was specific for leather but haven't been all the impressed with how well it holds up to repeated use.  I also have plenty of popsicle sticks so I'll start with those for now.

If you have a block of wood that fits inside your pouch, you could glue up the pouch first, then using the wood block inside for support you could punch holes for sewing, which means all your stitching holes will line up.  There are other ways to do this, but this is probably the simplest/most straight-forward.  It might also help to have a curved sewing needle, and a pair of needle-nose pliers to sew with.

I have actually been scouting the scrap pile for a block of wood to use for the wet molding to try and get the nice sharp corners.  Never occurred to me to leave it on the block when I punch the holes.  Thanks!  I do already have the needles and pliers for the hand sewing through the leather.  The addition of a set of pliers is such a godsend when it comes to pulling the needle through.  Saved my fingers.

  I want to burn some Mando'a script into the leather strip down the center of it, but I haven't figured out what I want it to say yet...I've been dabbling with the idea of simply the word "honor", so if I die I can say I died with honor?  lol.  Silliness aside, I do want something meaningful inscribed on it.  Just not sure what yet.

Honor is something valuable to the Mando creed.  Also family is another important tenet so that could be another possibility (either the word for family, alit, or the name of a loved one. 

Questions:  When I go to cut my leather I am planning on using either my Exacto knife or my box cutter is one better over the other?  When I dye my leather should I have already sanded down the edges?  I assume so, that way the color is even when I go to finish the edges but it seems that many builders dye at vastly different stages in their projects.  I had a few other questions but that is all I can think of right now.  Appreciate your help. 

Update: I worked a smidge more on my pattern for the box.  I slimmed it down a bit more and made it shorter.  I think it is just about the right size proportional to the belt blanks that I will be using. 

   

I also think the three inch blank under the two inch blank gives the correct sizing for the waist items for this kit.
Now question: would this buckle work for the tie down strap?



It's a little bit longer then the visual reference but it magnetizes closed and give a similar impression/visual.  I personally am not entirely sold on it but I am having a hard time finding anything the right size and shape and I lack the stills to machine a buckle for this.  If anyone knows someone who can I'm all ears.  These little bits might just have to end up being keepers and I glue some Velcro to the strap to help keep it in place. 

Another speed bump I'm running into are the belt clips for the holsters.  I may have a way to pirate some parts to work but again if anyone out there knows how to make them I'm interested (I do not want 3-D prints as I want these to be pretty sturdy, kids tug on my holsters to get my attention in my other kit and I don't need them breaking or cracking in the middle of a troop.  Resin printed might be considered but metal is preferred.)

And as far as sizing the tie down strap.  I decided that the 1/2" strap looks more accurate for this build then the 3/4" strap.



I am also starting into templating armor.  I found a picture on a thread for a generic Clan Wren armor so I figure it will work as a general guideline.  I printed it out, cut it and taped it together.   It is obviously too small at this point but it should work to help me keep the correct shapes (roughly) and proportions.

[Rilal Birom]

...
I have actually been scouting the scrap pile for a block of wood to use for the wet molding to try and get the nice sharp corners.  Never occurred to me to leave it on the block when I punch the holes.  Thanks!  I do already have the needles and pliers for the hand sewing through the leather.  The addition of a set of pliers is such a godsend when it comes to pulling the needle through.  Saved my fingers.

Using a block of wood to help with wet-moulding and punching holes saves you SO much trouble.  Another thing you can do for the inside edges of each fold is to use a V-Gouge to gently skive down the inside radius of the corners to help get the bends sharper and more uniform on the exterior.

Honor is something valuable to the Mando creed.  Also family is another important tenet so that could be another possibility (either the word for family, alit, or the name of a loved one. 

I like the thought of something to do with family.  A lot, actually!

Questions:  When I go to cut my leather I am planning on using either my Exacto knife or my box cutter is one better over the other?

I use a variety of knives to cut my leather depending on what I'm doing.  The basic ones most people use are a box cutter or Exacto.  I like a box cutter for longer, straight lines, run along a study ruler.  For longer curves it works as well too, but for tight corners or detailed cuts an Exacto works better.

When I dye my leather should I have already sanded down the edges?  I assume so, that way the color is even when I go to finish the edges but it seems that many builders dye at vastly different stages in their projects.  I had a few other questions but that is all I can think of right now.  Appreciate your help. 

If you sand the edges, I would sand your edges down first before dying.  I would start by beveling the edge with this tool.  You could then sand the edges, however if your beveler is sharp enough it isn't exactly required.  If you do sand, I'd start with maybe 120-grit, and then a 240.  The better you prep your edges the nicer they will look when done, but the simplest way is to bevel with a sharp tool.  After dying I would then take an Edge Slicker and a lightly damp sponge to the edges: first gently get the edges damp but not soaking wet (if the leather is too wet then it will not burnish well/at all), then gently run the edge slicker groove (the one that fits the thickness of the leather best) back and forth until the edge burnishes and gives a darkened shine.  In the following example I just did, I did not sand.  I simply gently wet the leather, waited about two minutes for the moisture to equalize across the edge, and then gently rubbed with the slicker until I got the desired shine.

[Vercopaanir]

Rilal thanks for all the info!  I seriously appreciate the links and photos so that I can see what your talking about.  (Visual learner here, show me and I can do it  ) I have the beveller and was going to try to use that to cut the gouge lines in the corners since I don't own a true gouge yet.  I put one on my list of tools that I want to add to my collection but for now I will just be making do.  I have some assorted slickers. I'll have to practice getting the water right on a few pieces of scrap when I finally get around to cutting these out.

Update:

I did a bit more work on the rough draft for the armor pattern.  The base pattern was the Clan Wren armor.  I know some of corners are still a little too sharp but I will sand them down once it's cut out.



And my boots have arrived!  The elastic and the bulk of that extra seam will be concealed under the shin armor.  They fit great and are almost perfect in color.  I will need to hide the logo on the outside of the heel but that should just sand out pretty easy.

 

[Rilal Birom]

Rilal thanks for all the info!  I seriously appreciate the links and photos so that I can see what your talking about.  (Visual learner here, show me and I can do it  ) I have the beveller and was going to try to use that to cut the gouge lines in the corners since I don't own a true gouge yet.  I put one on my list of tools that I want to add to my collection but for now I will just be making do.  I have some assorted slickers. I'll have to practice getting the water right on a few pieces of scrap when I finally get around to cutting these out.

You are most welcome!  I am a visual/kinesthetic learner, so I have to see it done and then do it, but then I am good to go.  Glad the pics helped.  One more for visual effect, below is an ammo pouch I'm working on for a friend who does reenacting.  I used the exact same techniques I described before, so this should give a good illustration of how it starts to come together. 

Update:

I did a bit more work on the rough draft for the armor pattern.  The base pattern was the Clan Wren armor.  I know some of corners are still a little too sharp but I will sand them down once it's cut out. 

Your armor templates look pretty sweet!  Can't wait to see the kit start coming together for you!

[Vercopaanir]

Thank you Rilal!


Update:  I haven't gotten back to my softs or leather work yet, am I putting it off...maybe just a little.  I'm thinking I am going to get on my flightsuit next then on to the leatherwork.  But I did have my resin out the other day while I was working on my Vod'ika's kit and grabbed my blasters.  So lot's of sanding, a coat of resin, some filler primer and more sanding, and then some more filler and sanding I now have them to this point.













They're almost there, not quite happy with the finish on these before I go to make them look like Ursa's.

[Vercopaanir]

I set some time aside the other day to work on this build.  I made another mock-up of my flight suit top and I think this is about as close I am going to get.  I will be lowering the grey patch on the side down 1.5" as it sits just a bit to high to look right.



 



I took the pants prototype that I made and drew the pattern for the rest of the flight suit on it.



Then I cut it apart and made a pattern from it.  I still have to test it before I do the final one but if it works then I will be almost done with my flight suit for this kit.

[Vercopaanir]

I finally tested my pant pattern.  I think it's just about right.  My personal proportions are not exactly friendly with the animated figures proportions but the odd looking bit should be under the skirt part so it should work out just fine.



 

[Rilal Birom]

Your soft parts are looking great so far!

[Vercopaanir]

Your soft parts are looking great so far!

Thank You!


The final version of my flight suit.  I didn't realized how dirty that mirror was until after I took the pictures.  I will be cleaning tomorrow.

   

   

[Rilal Birom]

Superb job on the flight suit!

[Frostfyre]

Awesome work on the flightsuit! Keep up the good work!

[Vercopaanir]

Awesome work on the flightsuit! Keep up the good work!

Thank you!  With all the holiday's I haven't had much time to work on this one.  SO much research goes into every piece, I'm dreading the painting.  I know it will be worth it in the end.

Superb job on the flight suit!

Thanks Rilal!  Your continued support helps me keep going on this one.

Update!

I heat formed my plates!  Well the collar, chest, ab and top backplate.  I'll need a second set of hands for the lower backplate but my clan has an armor party coming up so I'll see about getting some help there.  I'm sure someone will be game to lend a hand.  I also patterned, cut and sanded my shoulder plates.  They still need to be heat formed but they are ready.

Apparently I never posted when I cut out the plates, but yeah that was done weeks ago.