Not 100% sure this is in the right place, if not I apologize. Anyway so I am currently piecing together and creating a westernized version of megaman inspired a bit from the work of the Rock Opera Band The Protomen. Currently its a bit like a cross between traditional Mega Man and Clint Eastwood's the man with no name. I've sewn together a very similar sheepskin vest however I'm not sure how to go about weathering it. So for anyone out there that has done a Man with no name costume and maybe made and weathered their own vest maybe I could get some tips or tricks of the trade. I'm still very new at this whole fabricating the pieces I need for my costume so any help is really appreciated. Thanks guys and gals. =^.^=
A quick Question regarding weathering
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Immortal Goat
Well-Known Member
Hmm... Never weathered something like that before, but I'd imagine you're trying to go for a well-used, dirty look, right? If so, the best way I can think of is to actually put it through some damage. Wear it around, crumple it up, stomp it into some dirt, even. Nothing looks as good as the real thing. Put it through a massive ammount of use in a short ammount of time, and you should get the right look.
Unless I completely misunderstood what you're going for, and if so, I apologize, lol.
Unless I completely misunderstood what you're going for, and if so, I apologize, lol.
Riceball
Master Member
I second that. I'm a big fan of the natural weathering method. I'd also splash things on it that will leave a stain if left unwashed, things like motor oil, dirt & grime from cars, food stuffs like mustard, ketchup, & soy sauce. The trick to the staining is to not go overboard and keeping it looking natural, you can accomplish this by opening the hood of your car and lean over the fender and check everything you can check and then wipe your hands on your vest a bit. I'd do something similar while eating something on the messy side but instead of wiping your hands or your mouth just try not to be too careful and go ahead and let things drip on to your vest and then wipe it off like you would normally but just don't wash it. And if you have a garden or yard to work in I'd go ahead and do all of your gardening/yardwork in the vest too, that should help to weather it without any extra effort.
DS Operative
Sr Member
I'd be very careful of foods like ketchup, mustard, & soy sauce-- nasty looking stains and sooner or later, it's going to stink (probably sooner).
Your best bet is to speed up the process is to throw it in the dryer every time you do a load of laundry. The combination of the tumbling against the dryer walls & other fabrics plus the heat will break down the vest naturally and soften the fibers. Next, wear it everywhere you can think of an excuse for-- this will also give it a more natural "worn" look and is what you're going for. Be careful of grease stains and such, those will be too dark and near impossible to get out.
Get yourself some "Saddle Soap" (used by cattlemen & ranchers on leather items to clean and break-in, also used by baseball players on their gloves) and apply it sparingly at first to the areas where you want the most wear. Use it lightly until you figure out how the vest is going to react to it and if you want to use more in a week or so, go for it.
Lastly, cover it in dirt & soil and shake it off, repeat if necessary.
Your best bet is to speed up the process is to throw it in the dryer every time you do a load of laundry. The combination of the tumbling against the dryer walls & other fabrics plus the heat will break down the vest naturally and soften the fibers. Next, wear it everywhere you can think of an excuse for-- this will also give it a more natural "worn" look and is what you're going for. Be careful of grease stains and such, those will be too dark and near impossible to get out.
Get yourself some "Saddle Soap" (used by cattlemen & ranchers on leather items to clean and break-in, also used by baseball players on their gloves) and apply it sparingly at first to the areas where you want the most wear. Use it lightly until you figure out how the vest is going to react to it and if you want to use more in a week or so, go for it.
Lastly, cover it in dirt & soil and shake it off, repeat if necessary.
