Ok, remember that soda tab chainmail thread back in the old forum? Ok well I'm planning on making some. I need patterns/ideas because I haven't seen a whole lot of female armor that didn't basically boil down to kinky lingerie..
I'm not set on having it entirely chain, Like one idea I've had is to take a tunic and stitch chain cap/mid-bicep sleeves... and then have like a v-neck with chain connecting the v sides...
What else is there out there?
Try here, Andy makes real armor for Women, not kinky stuff for play time wear.
www.pitbullarmory.com I have one of his Breastplates and it's top quality work.
If you are going for HA armor, I'd go with a chainmaile tunic and maybe a breastplate over that. Chainmaile is comfortable and will allow you to breathe in the hot summer sun. A metal breastplate is really only a good idea in the late fall through the early spring (instant oven!).
Another option is a leather suit of armor. Leather has been used for hundreds of years as armor. It won't be nearly as bad in the summer sun as metal will be and you can easily get a neat look of armor still.
Try looking for any SCA female fighter webpages/sites to see what they wear.
Sorry for not being clear...
Basically I'm looking to add chain mail made out of soda tabs to either make a chain mail shirt or to add chain mail accents to another shirt/tunic...
Fantasy or J/F not H/A lol just not kinky sex goddess wear.
Gypsy:
Not sure if this will be helpful, but Wired did a write up on this some time back with an "Instructible" type how-to. You can find the info here: http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Make_a_Suit_of_Chainmail_Armor_From_Soda_Can_Tabs
Also there is instructions at the M.A.I.L. site located at: http://www.mailleartisans.org/articles/articledisplay.cgi?key=515
Both of the above could be made in to "cloth" then either made in to a full shirt / halberk or the chain "cloth" sewn on to a tunic, bodice, or whatever.
Also an interesting, "For Cost" book may be "Keeping Tabs". I am not affiliated with the author... I knew a friend who got it once as a misguided attempt to recycle all the soda tabs from what she and the rest of us drank at work.
You can find the book here: http://www.aluminouspublishing.com/Keeping_Tabs.html
** I'll edit the post if I run across anything else
This is a 2007 pic of a TxRF personality, a warrior I've watched over many years, who is often in association with a knight who carries a version of a Klingon batliff. I am afraid her name currently escapes me ("Kyva"?) but I believe her to be a familar enough face that others might know her name. As the photo shows, she knows how to be the warrior without being overtly sexy.
(http://a528.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/23/m_31592d1cf2175cc1d4114fccd1c12e57.jpg)
How is this project coming along? I just found this thread. I'd love to hear more about it. I have created many projects from tabs including bodices and hats. I'd be happy to share/discuss ideas/suggestions with you. Good luck with it!
(http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee2/thinnen/can%20tabs/dress_front.jpg)
Ironically, I just posted some can tab project pics in the craft section here:
Quote from: newbiehere on June 19, 2008, 11:51:51 PM
If you're looking fantasy, but not of the chainmail bikini variety, you might want to look at Susan's armor in the latest Prince Caspian movie. She wears a chainmail haubrek with a leather curiass on top. Her's is worn over a dress, but I think you could adapt a simliar look with a tunic and trousers.
This page goes into more detail (http://costumes.narniaweb.com/caspiansusanbattle.asp)
To recreate something like Susan from Narnia, I would think you would have to fake the whole shirt of tabs by only creating the parts of it that show for 2 reasons. One, it may be difficult to find that many tabs. Two, the tabs being so large may be rather bulky under something and wouldn't be the most comfortable. To avoid these problems, you could just attach the chainmaille to the bodice part instead of overlapping them. What would really be nice might be to create a can tab corset using stretchy fabric/ribbon. Then attach some tab chailmaille with jumprings around the arms, neck, back and on the bottom of the corset. The jumprings would help the tabs flow more like chainmaille. And, the fabric weaved ones in a corset-armor-type-thing would give you comfort and shape that would flatter a female figure better than say a loose fitting tunic.
i have lots of tabs already lol, one friend hosts DnD at her house so she had a coffee can full, and then my bf's mom collects them and she has a bag full... lol I do like susans outfit.... I agree though I would probably just attatch the chain about an inch below the edges...
Don't be surprised if you use every single one of them plus some! :) The overlap makes it look deceivingly less. The corset I made for my mother took easily over 1500 tabs. My daughters outfit took even more. It took us awhile to collect all of them because there are several different shaped tabs (mainly 3 types), and I wanted consistency.
I have few small containers of colored tabs, if anyone is interested in them. Mostly lime-ish green and blue.
Ok. How did you make the corset ones Newbie (I rather like the short one you made for yourself -and yes I believe you about how many they take lol- ) Did you just link them normally and then weave the fabric through?
I actually just cut fabric strips or use cord and weave them thru the tabs linking them together in a staggered pattern. I haven't seen any examples online using this pattern except in maille with rings, but I like it with the fabric. Makes it more comfortable, I think. If stretchy fabric is used, it will have a slight give depending on the width of the strips. Thinner will be stretchier. Up close they look like scales. Forgive the pics, but maybe a closer look will help.
Here is the back of mine while I was fitting it:
(http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee2/thinnen/can%20tabs/my_back.jpg)
It laces on the sides under the arm thru the existing can tab holes on the trim. The fabric I used is a dark blue velvety knit velour from a hooded jogging jacket I had.
Here is mom's, which is made with strips of dark green fleece:
(http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee2/thinnen/can%20tabs/corset_front.jpg)
I had to add paint stick boning on her sides to straighten out the line of the front. I will probably put another set of sticks in front to stiffen it up. Just wasn't sure she'd like it that stiff.
(http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee2/thinnen/can%20tabs/corset_backside.jpg)
And, one of mom's during a fitting:
(http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee2/thinnen/can%20tabs/corset_back_working.jpg)
I'm surprised at the strength of the fabric once weaved thru. It is very sturdy. I'm slowly discovering how to add and subtracts tabs from rows to give the shape curves for my victorian-style one I'm currectly working on.
Ok so if i'm visualizing this correctly (yes i know there are pictures lol) you wove like 6 different panels for each and wove in straight horizontal rows, and then moved down successively (or up w/e) then their joined by the vertical strips of tabs?
How wide are the strips of fabric and do you serge them or anything to finish the rows to prevent ravelling or just use a no ravel fabric?
On mom's, yes, I made six panels and then used the trim to join them. If you'll notice, the paint stick located at the side front seam stretches spreading the tabs apart so it wraps around her chest area. I probably made it slightly too big in front for her. I didn't consider the stretch at the time. Alas, the women in our family are not blessed in this area.
On mine, I created just 2 panels (front/back) and joined at the top shoulders so all the "scales" point down.
I used about 1-1.5" strips of knit fabric. It has a natural curl that rolls the ends in when cut the right way. I just gave it a good pull to make it curl before I weaved it. That way I didn't need to finish edges. I'm lazy that way. You can see a strip of velour sticking out on the back of my neck. I had to sew new strips on as I ran out. Although, I think fabric glue would work just as well. I just took it to the the machine and sewed a zig-zag stitch at an angle to reduce bulky seams. The fleece doesn't unravel much regardless, but it mats up a little while you're working.
I used a combination of braided yarn and nylon string on mom's trim/straps. The nylon string makes it stronger while the yarn makes it softer on her shoulder. Amazing, she wore this all day and said she was quite comfortable. Pretty good for a first attempt. :)
Later, I'm going to experiment with some 1/2" leather strips I have. I did a test and it is very stiff since there is little stretch. Shows more of the tab, too, making it more silver. Might look more suitable for an armor look. The thinner the strips the more metal shows, obviously.
the leather does sound awesome lol but I think for my first one i'll just play with the knit... maybe. or do you think like a ribbony type stuff would work?
I got my leather on a huge spool (probably 20+ yds.) for $4 at a swap meet! It is 1/2" dark brown (almost black) braided with the 1/2" braided orange/brown cord I used on the trim of my bodice. Ugly together, but useful separated. One of those great bargains we crafters can't pass up. If you eventually want to try leather, I will share. :) For the weave I do, it will take about 2x whatever length you weave. Estimating is pretty easy because the tabs are approximately 1/2" wide. So, you would need 1-1.5" per tab give or take depending on the stretch.
If your going to use ribbon, which would be nice (And, I have seen others use it on belts.), I recommend filing the sharp edges completely smooth on the tabs or it may snag your ribbon. That's what's nice about the fuzzy fabrics. You can't snag it, and it pretty much covers any uneven edges. I usually use needle-nose pliers to remove the big jaggies off the edges if they don't break off the can clean. I've covered one of my pair with masking tape to prevent scatching the tabs. A file for those tabs that are exposed wouldn't hurt. I actually think not filing them all is better, because it catches the fabric and keeps it from sliding back and forth with wear, which may cut the fabric eventually. Just a theory, though.
So, have you decided on a look, yet? I'd love to see what you are planning.
honestly you're designs have me wanting to try the bodice look, and I may base the pattern off of the bodice I have already which is in three peices that lace at the front and sides.. I'm not sure though and the length may end up depending on how many tabs I end up with... I really wish we were still having fundraisers every week at the firehouse, I always helped with clean up and we got zillions, Which is how we helped out with my little sister's collection with the girl scouts...
No kidding. We can't find enough around here to satify our needs. We have been hitting everyone we know up for tabs. I would ask the waitresses at bars and restaurants for them. There are still a few small places around that sell drinks in cans. A good sterilizing soak will clean them. We also collect bottle caps to make bellydance coins/bells for belts. That is actually how we started this. Long story. :)
If all else fails, bribe others by offering to make them a belt, necklace, or something that won't take too many. I'm thinking about making favors. I love that idea. Has to be small, though.
ok so I started trying this and I can't figure out why it's not working.. Instead of weaving and laying flat their basically just stringing on the ribbo, like how do I get the exact weaving to work? do I loop around the edges of the holes?
also do I just do a row first and then join on another row? or do I do like 2 rows at a time to start???
For the starting row, you will actually be making 2 rows at the same time. After that, you make one at a time.
(http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee2/thinnen/can%20tabs/can_tab_staggered_weave.jpg)
.... see that is how every chainmail site direction should be...
I'm a scribbler (Illustrator) by trade. :)
Now that I'm sharing my chain maille secrets, I expect to see you post pictures of your progess in here. Hehehe
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/silverytyger/SF7yW5AM2jI/AAAAAAAAC6o/9EEmuWvGFuk/s400/DSC00004.JPG)
so far we got that. I'm using this ribbon stuff i got at micheals that reminds me of bias tape... like it's got three different sections in it and their going at different angles like this
\\//\\
\\//\\
\\//\\
o right i could just take a picture... but it didn't come out right...
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/silverytyger/SF7zOZAM2kI/AAAAAAAAC6w/m_PTdAOE6u0/s144/ribbon%20one.jpg)
link to my picasa site "http://picasaweb.google.com/silverytyger/SodaTabs (http://link%20to%20my%20picasa%20site%20"http://picasaweb.google.com/silverytyger/SodaTabs)
And I'm doing a tab diary of it here
http://gypsylakatsews.blogspot.com/
Oh goody, a diary! Thanks for the props, btw.
I tink it's called twill tape.
aha a name! lol
oops did it backwards!
Your progress in the diary is lookin' good. You'll have that bodice done in no time!
I just started a new bodice. Yes, another one. After having some frustrating problems with the victorian one I mentioned, I decided to do some other experimenting on a different one using the pattern maker at http://www.elizabethancostume.net/custompat/index.html (http://www.elizabethancostume.net/custompat/index.html). You just punch in your measurements and...voila!...it creates an image/directions for you! There are some awesome people in this world!
I've also been experimenting on laying out a pattern for myself which is helping take the guesswork out. My progress can be seen at http://tabistry.blogspot.com/2008/06/new-bodice.html (http://tabistry.blogspot.com/2008/06/new-bodice.html)
Latest pic:
(http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee2/thinnen/can%20tabs/pirate_bodice_front_fitting.jpg)
that's awesome... I have a question... should each row be shorter than the previous by one tab? that's the way mine is laying itself out right now...
I really like that new pattern I think I may try using the pattern generator myself....
Thanks. As for your question, I guess it depends on the shape you're trying to make. But, yes, it should stagger either left or right of the row above making it shorter or longer.
The bodice is slow going right now, just started a second job, but I think I have the weaving down pat!
SO yeah, I was looking at the tab pattern you did up in adobe based on the generator. What Measurements does that end up giving? (if you dont' mind.. ) or what measurements did you put into the generator?
Now you're gettin' personal, huh? lol :)
Honestly, I didn't write my measurements down. Just measured and punched it in. The final measurements on the image generated ended up this:
Center Front Line = 14"
Bust Line 15.5" x 2 = 31"
Waistline = 13.5" x 2 = 27"
I just used illustrator, which is by no means necessary, because I'm a visual person. Besides, I wanted to try out some ideas before actually weaving them. I suppose a pencil sketch would have sufficed.
You can just enlarge the final image created by the generator to full scale on paper following the instructions for drawing it up. Then, just weave the tabs until they are close to the length of the pattern. Err on the small side if the fabric is stretchy or your weave is not tight. But, it should be close to 1/2" per tab both vertically and horizontally. Knowing this you can plan out the lines of the bodice with grids of tabs. Drop or add tabs to each row to get the shape close. You don't have to arrange the tabs as I did, either. The possibilites are endless really. It is just the shape that is important. Actually, I made lots of changes as I weaved that are not shown in the Illustrator version. For one, I eliminated the red back all together. In the future I may make a short (bolero?) jacket to go over it instead. The red sticking out the bottom back might have been distracting.
The tab counts compared to the actual measurements are below:
Center Front Line = 13" (29 tabs + 1 tab for trim not shown) Yikes! I'm 1" short of the generator!
Back Panel = 4.5" across (9 tabs) Now that's what I'm talkin' about.
I will try to get some updated photos of the back, sides and trim I added to the bottom. The back is really plain. Just vertical rows. Hope this is helping. Good Luck!
Wanted to add: I was very relieved that it wasn't necessary for me to add boning to this style of bodice. When the fabric is thick enough, it stands by itself. Yay! But, if you find you require it, we used a casing made from a tube of fabric that was then hand sewn to the inside fabric between tabs. The boning is then inserted into the casing. You could also line the bodice with fabric to prevent the tabs from snagging your chemise, but I opted not to. Haven't had a snag, yet. Besides, it probably breathes better without the lining.
I am working on a pencil sketch actually, I made the boyfriend dig me out some graph paper...
Right now I've got the front panel figured out.. I'm figuring on 5 (ish, 4 if I decide to just do a plain vertical all the way across back... not sure...
I'm having problems working out the front lenght because I keep waffling between a point and no point.. Even with bodice boned at the front and side openings with steel, the point tends to want to flip on me.
So I was thinking of doing a 10" long forepart starting at 13 tabs (vertical) and going down to 10 tabs. and I think I definitely decided to do just a vertically single back with horizontal side panels...
Well, Time to get started on that forepart at least...
Once you get that front figured out, the rest should just fall into place. I kept second guessing myself and trying it on after every few rows once the front was done. It is pretty easy to check yourself. Just string lacing thru the open tabs and around to the other side. It may seem like a lot of work, but better than unweaving and reweaving the tabs. :)
I used cheap shoelaces I bought in a big lot on eBay. Not very attractive in the back, but you will see how the front is fitting. I took measurements of the back where the lacings were to estimate how many more rows I needed. My pattern was pretty much right on.
BTW, have you seen the shoes?! :)
I will say the tabs help out a lot mathematically becuase of the fact that their basically 1/2 inch wide and 1 inch long.
Hey, gypsylakat, someone just finished a can tab warrior woman oufit! Her name is Rachel and she was inspired to create her top out of the tabs after seeing my blog.
http://attackcatdesign.blogspot.com/2009/04/warrion-woman.html
So, when are we going to see your creation? :)
I am in love with these bodices. ;D I just wonder how well they'd work on a buxom lass.. ::) ::)
You know I'll be digging out the bags and bags of popcans we have and popping off the tabs before they go to recycling... Hahah!
Quote from: Maeve McMayhem on April 30, 2009, 11:42:26 AM
...I just wonder how well they'd work on a buxom lass.. ::) ::)
I get that ? a lot. People have to touch it or grab it and pull to see how stiff or strong it is. :) Let's just say the last light blue one I made can stand on it own. I could probably make a fairly useful dress form out of it. :) It has just enough flexibility and stretchiness that as it's worn it starts forming to my shape. If you use fabric with little or no stretch, it would be even stiffer.
:o
This will most assuredly be my next project! Just to try, at the very least! ::)