VIKINGS: Lagertha Costume w/ leather and chainmaille

[SaraParker]

A friend of mine said "Hey, why don't you do Lagertha's armor from Season 3".
I looked ad it and was thinking: "Hey, yeah, I can do that in 2 weeks" :facepalm

Then the research began and I realized really quickly that this will take me more than 2 weeks.
I will post my progress pics below. Check my Instagram for more if you like.

This is the end result:

 

[SaraParker]

The SHIRT

I made my own pattern, but after I was done with it I found a pattern from McCalls, I can post it later if anyone is interested


Since I couldn't find the right color, I had to dye my shirt, just FYI, DO THAT BEFORE! And wash your fabrics, linen and cotton shrinks! :lol


I had no idea how to find the trims, but I got lucky on found it on Ebay! The texture is almost velvet-y


The claps can be found at Jo-Anns, really was happy finding them there, they come in different colors.


Some hand stitching of the trim and attaching the claps and almost done... there is a lot of details still in this. See hem stitching.

 

[SaraParker]

THINGS YOU NEED

I didn't cut my rings, I did some research and ended up buying NON galvanized (less shiny but can rust) rings on Amazon
it's a 4 in 1 pattern, best is to close a lot of rings and then make 4 in 1 bits and then attache them into patches.
Don't worry about the correct length and shape yet, you will have to adjust that later when gravity is doing it's bit aka you need to attache it.


For the bodice you need undyed leather (I got it from ebay, check saddler or similar), leather dye, tools for the tooling, swivel knife, braiding needles, belt buckle and D-rings for the sword belt, grommets, hole punch (1 round, 1 wave/s-shape), hammer, rivets, leather bands (round and flat), Oil, ...


It took me ages to decide on those rivets, but I'm happy with them. Compare to original.


I only found this hole punch from a cheap chinese ebay store, takes several weeks, costs only a buck and doesn't last for the whole armor, I would suggest getting 3, just in case. 3 well spend Euros/Dollars

 

[SaraParker]

Leather Bodice

First up: Pattern making, we used the "Oh, let's just wrap you into duct-tape" (Pro Tip: Put on a padded bra you will be wearing and don't wrap to tight and use clingfilm underneath)


Transfer the pattern to leather, I didn't have much, so I had to play TETRIS, I normally have a checklist to make sure I have all parts.


Draw the pattern (I couldn't find any screenshots of the back of her bodice, so I adapted it to the rest). Leather needs to be wet when you start using the swivel knife and do tooling!


Finish all tooling first!!! THEN do the hole punches. The panels get the "s" aka "wave" punches, only the edges are round, but you need to check closeup shots, there are some waves.

 

[SaraParker]

Leather DYE

I did wear gloves, yeah, double up if you are wearing cheap gloves
I used different methods to apply the dye and also removed and added some acrylic color to enhance the snakes.



Time to attach the panels (round leather strings), and braid (flat leather bands)

 

[SaraParker]

Wrapping up

I wanted to finish the top of the bodice first, to figure out the size of the lower part,.. same procedure as above

Now it's time to attache all parts with flat leather bands. Also add the rivets and make the bracer (pattern it after your arm ).


The shield is made from EVA foam, wood and leather. The sword is made from wood with aluminium tape, the scabbard was covered with leather and fur.


Almost done! Some weathering, add the leather pants (they ripped before I went to ComicCon, so I improvised and used fabric ones and added leather braid stiches on the side)



- - - Updated - - -

Any questions? Leave them below

More pics on instagram.com/DeliriumReal

 

[LemonHunter]

Wow, this is amazing! Loved the detail of the build and the finished product is stunning. Such great attention to detail!

 

[SaraParker]

Sorry guys, there was something wrong with the display of the pictures.
It should work now.

 

[PotionMistress]

What a great project and SO MUCH WORK! You did a splendid job on all of this, plus you make a perfect Lagertha! You look just like her!
:thumbsup

 

[13doctorwho]

Wow, that costume is incredible!! The location pictures really sell it. I don't know the character but the costume is awesome!

 

[LydiaJane]

I really love this! Fantastic work, I was curious what you used For pants? I'm trying to sew some lagertha style pants but patterns seem to be impossible to find any help would be amazing!

 

[oysteinhole]

Amazing good work

 

[mrbungle]

anytime is a good time for a lagertha costume! well done!

 

[mcoractual]

FANTASTIC work! This looks amazing. The attention to detail is stunning, even more so with the chainmail. Keep up the good work!

 

[aeonpulse]

very impressive stuff, it all turned out great! :thumbsup

 

[failingsway]

The SHIRT

I made my own pattern, but after I was done with it I found a pattern from McCalls, I can post it later if anyone is interested
View attachment 669986

Since I couldn't find the right color, I had to dye my shirt, just FYI, DO THAT BEFORE! And wash your fabrics, linen and cotton shrinks! :lol
View attachment 669990

I had no idea how to find the trims, but I got lucky on found it on Ebay! The texture is almost velvet-y
View attachment 669987

The claps can be found at Jo-Anns, really was happy finding them there, they come in different colors.
View attachment 669989

Some hand stitching of the trim and attaching the claps and almost done... there is a lot of details still in this. See hem stitching.
View attachment 669988

View attachment 669986

View attachment 669987

View attachment 669988

View attachment 669989

View attachment 669990

what mcalls pattern did you locate?

 

[cstickley]

Sorry guys, there was something wrong with the display of the pictures.
It should work now.

Leather DYE

I did wear gloves, yeah, double up if you are wearing cheap gloves
I used different methods to apply the dye and also removed and added some acrylic color to enhance the snakes.

View attachment 670495 View attachment 670494 View attachment 670493 View attachment 670492

Time to attach the panels (round leather strings), and braid (flat leather bands)
View attachment 670496 View attachment 670497

View attachment 670492

View attachment 670493

View attachment 670494

View attachment 670495

View attachment 670496

View attachment 670497

 

[cstickley]

Leather Bodice

First up: Pattern making, we used the "Oh, let's just wrap you into duct-tape" (Pro Tip: Put on a padded bra you will be wearing and don't wrap to tight and use clingfilm underneath)
View attachment 669996View attachment 669997

Transfer the pattern to leather, I didn't have much, so I had to play TETRIS, I normally have a checklist to make sure I have all parts.
View attachment 669995View attachment 669998

Draw the pattern (I couldn't find any screenshots of the back of her bodice, so I adapted it to the rest). Leather needs to be wet when you start using the swivel knife and do tooling!
View attachment 670000View attachment 670002

Finish all tooling first!!! THEN do the hole punches. The panels get the "s" aka "wave" punches, only the edges are round, but you need to check closeup shots, there are some waves.
View attachment 669999View attachment 670001

View attachment 669995

View attachment 669996

View attachment 669997

View attachment 669998

View attachment 669999

View attachment 670000

View attachment 670001

View attachment 670002

Love this! Do you have a template for the vest?