On Pinterest, I've started a board to collect costuming possibilities -- things I think of and see throughout the year that I usually go, "That's cool!" and then forget about when it comes time to working on DragonCon projects. Late last year, after seeing Thor: The Dark World, I added that version of Lady Sif to the board, figuring it was a "if I get to it" project. Then I saw Dark World again on a recent flight, and decided, "Yeah, I think I want to do it." That led to a board of her own, more research, plotting, strategerizing, and purchasing materials.
I started with a high-res image, marking it up with thoughts and ideas for construction of the armor:
Having done that, I figured I might as well start patterning the armor. And, while I could have gotten more accurate and wrapped myself with duct tape, I tend to fly solo on these projects, so I had my dressform stand in. I'll have to add a bit to the waist (I'm a bit thicker than she is these days, though the circumference is just about right), but it's a good start:
I'd started to color-code the sections. Between starting and finishing, however, I've had to go out of town, so I'm hoping I can sort it all out when I go to cut it off of the form later this week.
I'm still debating how best to construct the shoulders and neckline. It's fairly clear from the detailed images that the back plating is attached to the molded leather that rounds over the shoulders and attaches under the breastplate near the collarbone. I've found a corset pattern which has similar lines, attaching to an an underbust just under the arms, but laces up the back. On the other hand, most costumes have simply made an underdress or shirt with the appropriate lines, simply wearing the armor over it. I must admit that I lean toward this approach -- it's simpler and won't require me to purchase more, sturdier (and more expensive) leather.
And I have purchased leather for this project: A lighter weight lambskin that will be easy enough for my sewing machine to sew; I'll be adding an interfacing layer and lining to give it strength and weight. I've purchased about 15 sq ft of the stuff for a reasonable price... working on the assumption that I would be making an underdress to wear with the armor. For now, I'm expecting to pattern it something like the Assassin Bodice from Ravenswood Leather. I'm hoping to draft the pattern next week... once I cut the armor pattern off the dressform.
For the maille portion, I've purchased two different types of fabric -- one, an athletic mesh I'll need to paint, and another a "harlow sheer" that is a wide weave of silver, black, and almost flesh-toned threads. It's actually designed for curtains, but, from a distance, it looked pretty good. The decision on this will be made a bit later, as things take shape. For now, here's a fabric porn shot:
This particular skin is a shade lighter and has a slight tonal difference from the rest, which are almost perfect. It was a difference I didn't really notice until the photos and laying all the skins out together. I might have to go back and order another, closer in color to the others.
Yesterday, I started playing with my sewing machine and some construction methods. I know that I will need some sort of template for the scroll work on the armor, and that there is a raised ladder stitch (also seen as a blanket stitch) on the skirt panels. My machine has a few decorative scroll stitches that might work for the scroll work, and a ladder stitch that I thought might be useful for the skirt panels.
The top scroll stitch may be a good option to help design the scrollwork on the armor. For the ladder stitch, the top left is looking like the best option. It's fairly wide, and allows me to thread both my needle and some satin rat tail cording through the back, keeping it raised.
Overall, a challenging project. I'd love to get it done for ComicPalooza in Houston, but I'm simply not going to have the time... and I'd rather do this one right. Even DragonCon might be pushing it at this point, as I've also got a Jedi and Tauriel I'm working on. We'll have to see which ones survive the crunch and make the suitcase!
I started with a high-res image, marking it up with thoughts and ideas for construction of the armor:
Having done that, I figured I might as well start patterning the armor. And, while I could have gotten more accurate and wrapped myself with duct tape, I tend to fly solo on these projects, so I had my dressform stand in. I'll have to add a bit to the waist (I'm a bit thicker than she is these days, though the circumference is just about right), but it's a good start:
I'd started to color-code the sections. Between starting and finishing, however, I've had to go out of town, so I'm hoping I can sort it all out when I go to cut it off of the form later this week.
I'm still debating how best to construct the shoulders and neckline. It's fairly clear from the detailed images that the back plating is attached to the molded leather that rounds over the shoulders and attaches under the breastplate near the collarbone. I've found a corset pattern which has similar lines, attaching to an an underbust just under the arms, but laces up the back. On the other hand, most costumes have simply made an underdress or shirt with the appropriate lines, simply wearing the armor over it. I must admit that I lean toward this approach -- it's simpler and won't require me to purchase more, sturdier (and more expensive) leather.
And I have purchased leather for this project: A lighter weight lambskin that will be easy enough for my sewing machine to sew; I'll be adding an interfacing layer and lining to give it strength and weight. I've purchased about 15 sq ft of the stuff for a reasonable price... working on the assumption that I would be making an underdress to wear with the armor. For now, I'm expecting to pattern it something like the Assassin Bodice from Ravenswood Leather. I'm hoping to draft the pattern next week... once I cut the armor pattern off the dressform.
For the maille portion, I've purchased two different types of fabric -- one, an athletic mesh I'll need to paint, and another a "harlow sheer" that is a wide weave of silver, black, and almost flesh-toned threads. It's actually designed for curtains, but, from a distance, it looked pretty good. The decision on this will be made a bit later, as things take shape. For now, here's a fabric porn shot:
This particular skin is a shade lighter and has a slight tonal difference from the rest, which are almost perfect. It was a difference I didn't really notice until the photos and laying all the skins out together. I might have to go back and order another, closer in color to the others.
Yesterday, I started playing with my sewing machine and some construction methods. I know that I will need some sort of template for the scroll work on the armor, and that there is a raised ladder stitch (also seen as a blanket stitch) on the skirt panels. My machine has a few decorative scroll stitches that might work for the scroll work, and a ladder stitch that I thought might be useful for the skirt panels.
The top scroll stitch may be a good option to help design the scrollwork on the armor. For the ladder stitch, the top left is looking like the best option. It's fairly wide, and allows me to thread both my needle and some satin rat tail cording through the back, keeping it raised.
Overall, a challenging project. I'd love to get it done for ComicPalooza in Houston, but I'm simply not going to have the time... and I'd rather do this one right. Even DragonCon might be pushing it at this point, as I've also got a Jedi and Tauriel I'm working on. We'll have to see which ones survive the crunch and make the suitcase!
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