Posted by: Alysten on: October 5, 2011
I’ve gotten a couple requests for a How to on the stained glass look for appliques. These instructions are for machine sewing. I am a fan of light fuseable web (that’s the real secret). Heat’n Bond Light Weight Iron-On Fusible web (It’s in the purple package) is the brand I use. If you are doing [...]
Posted by: Alysten on: September 1, 2010
I often get asked what is the “correct” layers of linen needed to create list legal rapier armor. The long and short of the answer is “it depends”. As Don Ian would say, “here’s a fire hose of information”. I order all my linen online from fabrics-store. Here is the configuration that I use for [...]
Posted by: Alysten on: July 27, 2009
This handy little trick allows you to “tack down” 1/2″ edging into straight lines without bunching, folding and did I mention straight. The glue holds everything in place while it gets sewn down. You can use pins to help the holding power. I use the 1/4″ so that I have a clean, clear edge for [...]
Posted by: Alysten on: July 27, 2009
When I’m working on armor, I am most concerned with how the garment looks and its structural integrity. So I am not using 100% period techniques and occasionally I add a modern element that is concealed. Like buttons. The only way you are going to see this is if you are up close and very [...]
Posted by: Alysten on: June 17, 2009
I have changed how I’m doing the slashes in the front of the waffenrok. I wanted a larger splash of white in each slash and it needed to have some sort of front closing mechanism. I went back to what I know, faux slashes. Though this required a different set of calculations and patterning. 1. [...]
Posted by: Alysten on: May 26, 2009
I have started the piecing of the sleeve fabric. Though I think I made an error when measuring the needed width by about 2-3 inches. I have corrected it by adding two pieces of 2″ black fabric down the sides of each sleeve. These will serve as the under arm seam. Interestingly enough… this boo [...]
Posted by: Alysten on: May 26, 2009
This project started out trying to replicate the puff and slash sleeves of the Landsknecht Kampfrau, as part of an EK legal fencing uniform. The problem of the slash would be the potential entanglement of a blade to the sleeves. While this is not a violation of the rules, it could potentially turn into one [...]
