More information on Jyn's belt for those interested in making their own version.
Here are my observations of Jyn’s Belt. There are still some unknowns which prevent the creation of a screen accurate rig, but enough is known to get started and some have already completed their first versions. This is for those looking for a starting point.
The complete rig is comprised of the Belt, Holster, Holster Strap, Leg Strap and Securing Strap. The holster and securing strap are obviously sized to fit a specific weapon which by consensus is a modified Luger P08 Naval. Without access to photos of the rear of the holster, the relative layout, lengths and methods of attachment of the three straps are unknown. By the same token the craftsman has flexibility in their design as these details are not likely to be seen. I will provide my observations on the holster in a separate post. The belt, holster strap and leg strap (which I provided in an earlier post) will have some variation to fit the wearer. Just as costumers have varied the sizes of items such as Jedi belts to match the wearer, the same may be important with this item. According to the prereleases, Felicity Jones is 5’3” tall so the following sizes, taken from existing photos, are based on this character.
The “basic” width of the belt appears to be 2 1/4 inches. In the photos the width of the belt is greater than the width of the vest and battle jacket waistbands. Those waistbands are each 50 mm or 2 inches. The belt has a closure at the left hip. It is also decorated with a set of rivets, a set of four (2 over 2) at the right front, and set of four (2 over 2, Jedi belt fashion) in the back. The holster is attached via a holster strap at the right-hip. The holster strap is also attached with rivets. There are a total of 10 rivets, which seems to have heads which are 9/16”, 14 mm or size 22 ligne. This size of rivet seems to be rare, at least in the United States. However sizes which are 1/16” smaller, at 1/2”(lignee 20) or 1/16 “bigger, 5/8” (ligne 24) are both readily available. This may mean my measurements are slightly off. It also means it is easy to vary the belt dimensions and still maintain the proper proportions.
There is subtle point to the belt which a maker may or may not wish to incorporate. Most belts are straight straps of leather. However as the width increases and the body type of the wearer become more curvaceous, such as Ms. Jones, having a more tailored belt can provide a more comfortable fit. The front of the body may be mostly vertical and this portion of the belt can indeed be straight. However the sides and back of the body tend to flare from the waist toward the hips. Tailored garments provide for this flare with a curved, contoured waistband (which I am also incorporating into the even wider pant waistband). To maintain the same visual appearance of the belt as it flares also requires a slight increase in width in the curved sections. (This is also consistent with the photographic evidence as in the curved section between the side rivets the width measures as 2 3/8 inches.)
This bow or curve allows the bottom of the belt to have an effective length which is longer than the top of the belt. This makes the belt fit the slope between the waist and the hips. (The geometrically minded can research conic sections for more information.) The amount of curvature will be very dependent on the wearer so making your own pattern out of heavy brown (Kraft) paper or light cardboard to simulate the stiffness of belt leather will be helpful.
Most belts are straight cut to reduce waste. Anyone looking to produce a completed rig with a curved belt might want to look at purchasing a vegetable-tanned, double shoulder piece of leather. This leather is often sold by the piece instead of by the square foot and so may be less expensive. The shoulder is not the best cut of leather but is still very serviceable for belts and holsters and usually in the 8-9 ounce (or 8-9/64”) range. The double shoulder has the advantage of often being able to cut the full length of the belt and the natural relationship of the animal’s neck and shoulder reflect the curve you want in the belt with a minimum of waste. Two shoulders I currently have would each allow up to a 48 to-50” long belt to be cut with a shallow or deep curve with very little waste at the neck. If an even longer belt is needed your belt pattern could be moved further down the shoulder. If you need to do this you may also want to position any or all of your other strap pattern pieces to the inside of the curve again to reduce waste. Cutting the belt ”just long enough” might prevent having enough usable leather inside the curve to cut another element of the rig.
