14 replies to this topic

[Metanoia]

This topic was split from Picnic at Himeji and put into the Fantasy section since we are talking foam and laytex rather than historical methods even though the desired appearance is more historical in mind

http://www.australiancostumersguild.org.au...p?showtopic=309

the kimono was made from a chinese brocade, lined with satin... feels fantastic, and has the right weight, but doaesn't really breathe.

For the picnic, I will probably make a less formal set of garments, which would be what would have been worn into battle, mostly from light-weight cotton, unless I have another inspiration before Nov.

WARNING: I'm putting my historical hat on

I know your lammellar was made out of foam, so you're going for a historical-look rather than the real thing... though it looked amazing and I really thought it was leather to start with. Now I know that historical probably isn't your aim, but to follow up with what Lynne said linen would have been the go back then.

Cotton would work, and you can get more colour choices in it, but linen is much softer and just as easy to work with. If you have ever compared wearing cotton with wearing linen you will know what I mean. Linen is gorgeously soft and yummy and you can get some great natural colours and even some nice blues, reds and greens. You can also get a slightly cheaper linen/cotton blend which is also softer than cotton and still period correct. Its the pure cotton material that was really hard to make until pretty recent times when the cotton gin was invented.

If you wanted to go more upper class have you considered raw silk? Sometimes you can get it for as little as $12/m though I think it is usually about $30/m. Compare that to pure linen at around $16/m full price (I've picked it up for as little as $3/m though ) or linen/cotton blend for around $12/m. Also both linen and cotton take to dye really well. For me personally I prefer the Rit dye as a commercial option (lincraft) because it seems to give richer colours than the Dylon stuff.

Natural fibres have these advantages:
- When you sweat you won't smell really bad
- It breathes, keeping you cooler
- They are generally really easy to sew!

By the way, it was great to meet you on Saturday and feel your foam and its great you will be at Himeji!!

[LadySilverSpider]

No to mention linen is a LOT stronger than cotton as well

[Ian]

WARNING: I'm putting my historical hat on

ah but you are forgetting that it was the invention of light weight foam armour that allowed the samurai to overcome the problems associated with standing around looking pretty all day while wearing all their gear!

of course that meant that they had to resport to only using cheap plastic swords...

so in that way my costume was 100% accurate!!!


we considered using silk to make the kimonos originally, but as we want to use them as dressing gowns when they are not in use as costumes, I in particular need something that is VERY easy to keep clean. I am not proud to admit the one (and only) silk shirt I have ever owned after a single ill-advised wash became a very expensive rag...

[Metanoia]

lol I like it. Have you thought about making a "LARP" sword (foam and laytex) or asking reactor_drone (gondorian armour) what his sword replica is made from. Might look nicer than a plastic cheapy if you wanted to go that way.

we considered using silk to make the kimonos originally, but as we want to use them as dressing gowns when they are not in use as costumes, I in particular need something that is VERY easy to keep clean. I am not proud to admit the one (and only) silk shirt I have ever owned after a single ill-advised wash became a very expensive rag...

oops.

I have some raw silk - the same stuff on my website that I dyed. I washed it in the washing machine carefully after dying because that is the way that I would like to wash the jacket and since it is not in a garment yet I am hoping it will preshrink if shrinking will be a problem and then it will be fine.

Also I think raw silk acts very differently to some of the other highly manufactured silks and satins. Also as it is an animal fibre like wool use a wool wash, not a chemical detergent when washing.

Linen would be lovely though and easy to care for.

[Ian]

lol I like it. Have you thought about making a "LARP" sword (foam and laytex) or asking reactor_drone (gondorian armour) what his sword replica is made from. Might look nicer than a plastic cheapy if you wanted to go that way.

I actually have a replica katana on order, but decided for the ball that plastic swords were
a) safer - alcohol and sharp shiny things don't mix.
b ) cheaper - considering the damage to the flag and helmet from the ride home, I would rather not do that to a $700 sword...
c) more fun - I didn't have any qualms about pulling two plastic swords from my belt and attacking the dragon, I'd probably have been less inclined to do that with something I could cut my own hands off with...

I've had a lot of success in the past making prop weapons from carved MDF, which is my favoured material as it is cheap, easy to get more of when I inevitably stuff something up, strong enough to swing around, but light enough to carry. I orginally planned to make swords for the ball, but ran out of time and recycled toys from the toy box.

and this is now officially OFF TOPIC!

Edited by Ian, 30 August 2006 - 01:29 PM.

[Metanoia]

A LARP sword means it isn't hard and can't hurt people. My partner has a little dagger from a German friend who does LARP in Germany.

Basically (I think she said) it is foam covered in a laytex. Think SCA foam boffer swords as far as being hit with one, but the right shape and airbrushed up so that they look really nice.

Here is a link for a place that stocks LARP weapons as an example of their appearance: Edhellen

And another place with a few samurai weapons made for LARP here: latex-weaponry PDF

One thing I have heard is that if you actually use them to fight they only really last a few battles. But they are designed for use with no armour so that there are no injuries or perhaps minimal bruising at worst case scenario.

An Edhellen LARP sword is attractive and looks just like the real thing, yet all our LARP swords are completely safe. Any LARP sword or other LARP weapon carried by Edhellen is durable, realistic and fun.

Here is a link for how to build a foam/laytex axe, but I don't know if the instructions are complete, perhaps you can find a better one if this is something you want to go down. Building a Dagorhir Axe

[Reactor drone]

A silk undergarment would probably be historically accurate as well as light and breathable.

I know mongolian horsemen used silk because it provides some ballistic protection from arrows(basically the threads don't break,they wrap around the arrowhead limiting penetration and allowing the arrow to be removed by gently tugging on the shirt ).I would assume chinese and japanese would have picked up the technique from them....of course I could be wrong

[Metanoia]

A silk undergarment would probably be historically accurate as well as light and breathable.

You are quite correct, but from my understanding it depends what kind of silk.

Next time you see me ask me about it. I have 4 or 5 swatches that live in my purse that I got from quite a knowledgeable lass in Victoria. They're all silk, but she explained to me why some silks they couldn't/didn't make and which ones were around. The swatches are a great illustrator for it. We're both from the NVG specialising in 9th - 13th Century stuff.

[Alex the lion]

does anyone know any good tutorials on samuri swards?

Edited by Alex the lion, 01 September 2006 - 11:53 PM.

[Alex the lion]

sorry I ment fake swards something that would break before hurting someone.

Edited by Alex the lion, 02 September 2006 - 10:38 PM.

[Metanoia]

sorry I ment fake swards something that would break before hurting someone.

It really depends again Alex. I don't really know anything that would truly "break" if you hit someone with it. The LARP ones are designs to flex and are softer since they are made of foam. I've been hit hard with a laytex dagger without any dammage. lol... we were testing it

You can get wooden practice swords from most martial art stores if that is something that interests you.

You can get rebated swords for metal weapon re-enactment which you can carry if you are a member of a re-enactment club like the New Varangian Guard or similar.

You can get ornamental swords - nice for hanging on the wall but that is about it.

Or you can get the real thing, probably not recommended for either just having in your house and definately not recommended at practically all costume/public events.

Attached is a picture of the LARP dagger I have. It is next to a 40cm ruler for reference.

Is there anyone else (in Adelaide) wanting to make a kimono? I feel an urge to run a workshop.....

I would love to make one, but I haven't found quite the right material yet. I would also like to throw a Lolita spin on one and I have a REAL japanese umbrella for photo shoots (I might bring it to the HImeji event) I just need the shoes

[papa_travaal]

This forum seems to have been hijacked - maybe the Kimono discussion needs to move to the Himeji list or get its own - moving back to the original theme - a friend has just come back from WA with something called a "Fluffy" that a metal weapons group is using for practice - it seems to have an aluminium and hardwood core with closed cell foam edges all covered in duct tape and made into a sword shape.

[Metanoia]

a friend has just come back from WA with something called a "Fluffy" that a metal weapons group is using for practice - it seems to have an aluminium and hardwood core with closed cell foam edges all covered in duct tape and made into a sword shape.

sounds scary... my metal weapons group uses plain wood until people get their swords

And this was a thread for Ian to get ideas for his samurai. Therefore talk geta and kimono fabric bits fit in quite well. Men wore geta and looking through previous posts.. you started it! I'll split it if you want

[El Presidente]

Actually I think I started the Kimono/fabric discussion - splitting is probably a good idea

[Metanoia]

Talk about Kimonos, Yukata, Geta and related was split into this topic