Excellent stuff vod. Showing the seams and the construction so others can learn too, love it.
You might try using tea to age your sash - once you've got it all finished, dunk it in some weak tea (make it with used tea bags or cheap stuff) and let it dry to slightly stain it before doing any other weathering work. You can do it a few times to build layers and dip some parts more than others, use resist techniques or scrunch it up and just dip the peaks of the folds - endless possibilities.
Coming along nicely!
Good idea! I'm thinking of dying it gray in the future, but I may have time to throw some tea staining on it for the con...
Wow! I really enjoy seeing your process, gives me courage to continue my first build, I feel a little less lost now. Thank you for all the informative pictures!
Glad to hear it, that's why I try and remember to take WIP pics! I was intimidated too, but I'm glad that I'm getting started instead of forever procrastinating like I was doing. If I can stumble my way through learning how to sew, you can, too!
The past few days I lost hope in my 3D printer, so I've been Clone Warsin' and flak vestin'!
I started by lowering the neckline and finishing the topstitching on the vest, then I added a panel on top of the shoulder seam. That seam could use the reinforcement since it will be holding most of the weight. Obligatory iron hearts wherever possible!
Next, onto the buckles. These buckles looked much too chrome -- they're shinier than my beskar, that simply won't do! -- so I took the time to sand them down. Seems these were only plated silver, there's a coppery undertone to them, which works out well for me. They were still pretty shiny after sanding so I added some matte mod podge on them, too.
I made adjustable straps using the same canvas material:
Underside shot:
In retrospect, I should have tightened down those strap holders some more -- they move a bit too freely. I'll see if I can fix them in the next few days.
Ta dah! Fits much nicer!
Pretty excited! As a special bonus, the buckles make a delightful jingly sound when I walk. Who needs spurs?
Due to my 3D printer refusing to cooperate and print me a helmet that fits, I've been mentally preparing myself to shelve my mando for the upcoming con next week... but this flak vest is too motivating, I'm going to see if I can make my bad helmet print work. I'll shift focus to my hard goods WIP the next few days!
