Gladiator - Maximus Arena Tunic Made of Linen

[Gator Fett]

I plan on starting a Maximus Gladiator costume and thought I would begin with the blue tunic.

Any ideas on what fabric to use?

It looks like cotton, but I'm not positive.

I figure I will have to dye the fabric once I get it, so suggestions on dye would be appriciated as well.

 

[Tim Allen]

Re: Gladiator - Maximus Arena Tunic Question

Maybe some kind of cotton twill, but don't quote me on that.

 

[MaulWalker]

Re: Gladiator - Maximus Arena Tunic Question

Looks more like linen to me.

Lynn

 

[KaanE]

Re: Gladiator - Maximus Arena Tunic Question

Maybe it's the back side of the cotton twill?

 

[wes1761]

Re: Gladiator - Maximus Arena Tunic Question

Historically Romans used wool as it was cheap and readily available, Linen was also used....and the picture provided shows thread that are not wool, so I would use linen. I have a bunch of 100% pure linen thread that you can use to hand sew it if you are going historically accurate as well as screen accurate......


I used to do Roman re-enacting, sorry about the long winded reply...

 

[Gator Fett]

Re: Gladiator - Maximus Arena Tunic Question

Thanks for the suggestions.

I picked up some 100% Cotton Twill Bottomweight and some 100% Linen.

Twill on the left. Linen on the right.

I'm pretty convinced it's Linen. But the weave seems tighter on the screen used then my sample.

Do Linens come in different weaves?

@ wes1761 --- don't appologize about the long reply. Any other tips you can share about the period methods would be great.

 

[MaulWalker]

Re: Gladiator - Maximus Arena Tunic Question

Yes, linens come in different weaves. You may be able to tighten up the piece you have by washing/drying the material in your home laundry. It will also soften the material's hand - it won't be so stiff.

Lynn

 

[brandomack]

Re: Gladiator - Maximus Arena Tunic Question

I did a Gladiator costume several years back, and I used linen.

I think it came to $25 for 3 or so yards.

It was pretty heavy stuff...needed to be, it gets frickin cold here in october!

 

[Gator Fett]

Re: Gladiator - Maximus Arena Tunic Question

I did a Gladiator costume several years back, and I used linen.

I think it came to $25 for 3 or so yards.

It was pretty heavy stuff...needed to be, it gets frickin cold here in october!

Where did you get the linen and was there any type of description of the weight?

What did you use and do, to dye it?

I recognize that base curias from ebay. Where did you get the horse/tree/griffin pieces from?

Thanks bro.

 

[Gator Fett]

Re: Gladiator - Maximus Arena Tunic Question

Yes, linens come in different weaves. You may be able to tighten up the piece you have by washing/drying the material in your home laundry. It will also soften the material's hand - it won't be so stiff.

Lynn

Good call on the laundry. Dyeing it in warm water may also tighten up the weave too, correct?

Did a little searching, and found that there are both different weights and weaves (thread count) for linen. Lynn, from the screen used pictures I posted, any suggestions on the linen to get?

Thanks.

 

[brandomack]

Re: Gladiator - Maximus Arena Tunic Question

Where did you get the linen and was there any type of description of the weight?

What did you use and do, to dye it?

I recognize that base curias from ebay. Where did you get the horse/tree/griffin pieces from?

Thanks bro.

The linen came from the expensive section of the fabric store, I think it was $12 per yard.

It came as is, didnt dye it. with just a straight forward weave.

The fittings on the front were sculpted with this

Kneadatite® Blue/Yellow® Epoxy Putty Tape and Bars - Epoxy Putty Tapes - Polymerics Systems, Inc.

hope that helps.

 

[MaulWalker]

I typically purchase linen from this source Fabrics-store.com: Fabric - Linen fabric - Discount fabric - Upholstery fabric - Wholesale fabric - Vintage fabric - Cotton fabric

They have free samples that show the various weights. You can also search for fabrics by weight and color. I would think a medium weight would work for what you want.

Lynn

 

[Gator Fett]

Re: Gladiator - Maximus Arena Tunic Question

The linen came from the expensive section of the fabric store, I think it was $12 per yard.

It came as is, didnt dye it. with just a straight forward weave.

The fittings on the front were sculpted with this

Kneadatite® Blue/Yellow® Epoxy Putty Tape and Bars - Epoxy Putty Tapes - Polymerics Systems, Inc.

hope that helps.

Sculpted them yourself. Wow. Nice job. Thanks for the info.

 

[Gator Fett]

I typically purchase linen from this source Fabrics-store.com: Fabric - Linen fabric - Discount fabric - Upholstery fabric - Wholesale fabric - Vintage fabric - Cotton fabric

They have free samples that show the various weights. You can also search for fabrics by weight and color. I would think a medium weight would work for what you want.

Lynn

Thanks for the link, Lynn. I'll give a couple samples a try.