Official Thread - Making of my 1st belt :)

[Titus Marius Secundus]

I was just about to decide myself and I thought, well if I did the sewing the way where it wraps over the edge, it might look a bit too much, and too fancy. Also it's more likely to dirty and wear. So if anyone agrees, and wouldn't like to see it THAT way, I'll stitch it the other way, which is simpler, but will stay cleaner, tight, and un-frayed. If anyone disagrees and thinks it would be better wrapping over, then we'll be back to square one

Sam

[M. Demetrius]

Well, in the end, Sam, it's your belt, so don't let any one person's opinion dissuade you from your choices. Stitching on leather goods was/is used both for structural function and decoration. You are correct that stitching over (around) the edge will wear out much quicker than stitching that is not subjected to primary friction.

Which way do you think your belt should look, if it were actually an original? Evidently, some belts were made from layers of leather over a non-stretching linen liner, and some were thick leather (probably much cheaper construction) and stitched for no functional reason, but perhaps to look like the more expensive construction. And some may have had bright colors of thread to add blingy contrast.

Best bet is to focus on what kinds of belts were most common to the soldier you're portraying, and make one of those. Then you can say, "Well, quite a few museum specimens and art works show belts like this, so I made mine to fit that model." No one will have to know it's your first belt at all, as the construction and sewing you show below is as good as anyone's. Keep heading the direction you are, and you'll end up with an excellent belt.


Resist the urge to use flourescent pink thread, though... :o

[Crispvs]

Sam,
I only just saw this. Well done on your work so far! I agree with David and would echo all his words! You are again proving that you are developing into a very competent craftsman!

One other thing though. This thread should have been in the Re-enactment and Reconstruction section, rather than the beginners' section, which was never intended for threads like this one, excellent though it is, and was instead intended as a section where some of the most common issues facing the beginner could have threads demonstrating them which could be used by beginners to inform themselves.

As such I would suggest the thread should be moved to the correct section, where it will also be seen by more people.

Crispvs

[Titus Marius Secundus]

Hey, well thank you David and Crispvs for your very kind words! I take them to heart and use them to fuel the drive for posting pictures that can actually take a lot of time to take and upload. I owe Crispvs a lot, including the encouragement to start my belt. I know I said I'd have it done by Christmas ( last year) but I am just working non-stop of other things! I will try to get the belt minus the apron finished by then.

I am in fact, working on the pugio frogs right now, sawing away at them a little everyday, and I'll show you pictures of that too. I'll take them right now...

Okay that being done I can show you my master plan! Cutting the piece in half, to get both frogs out of the one piece! I am at no shortage of brass, as I have a metal yard and can get a 6 by 6 inch 1/4 thick brass plate for $15! If anyone wants one haha Old stock you see... as it has been shown already I won't post the picture again, but you will see the design of the frog I'm after!

Also, which may be to your interests, I have bought linen ( 100% linen) and in off white ivory color, for my tunic! More than one is tunica yes? I will have a step by step thread on that. I know a lady who is very persistent to help me on this one as she loves working with fabrics, and I suppose she can guide me while following everyone's advice, and legio xx's. She's very humble and will listen to my specifications! :woot: I'll drive her crazy! "A GARMENT WIDER THAN IT IS LONG? NO SUCH A THING!" haha...

Anyway, so I have sewn 4 out of six of my apron dangilies so far TWO MORE TO GO! I'll get em done tomorrow, my fingers have been jabbed enough

Anyway, here comes the easy part...

Sam!
p.s sorry for late replies, I'll get around to them asaIcan!

[M. Demetrius]

my fingers have been jabbed enough

I get tired of that, too. Those leather needles are wicked! :unsure: :mad:

In Latin, one is tunica, two or more is tunicae. and there are other endings, as well, depending on the sentence usage. But in English, we just say tunic, tunics. There is this thread that shows how to measure your tunic, if that will help. They look and feel like a small tent when they are the proper size and shape.

http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/16-mark...?start=120 Go way back to the start, and see the item in question, but the whole thread has great interest if you're making your first tunic. Lots of discussion there.

[Titus Marius Secundus]

yayyy finished sewing. Will be bringing back the buckle plate a little, will keep posted.

[jvrjenivs]

Looks like good craftmanship! Well done. Hope my suggestion was of little use

[Titus Marius Secundus]

Does anyone have any ideas for decent apron studs? Flavian era of course... any links to pages?

[jvrjenivs]

Clang armories has some nice ones http://clang.adkinssoftware.com/roman%20...%2001.html at good prices.

[M. Demetrius]

Very neat stitching. :!: Did you use a measuring punch to get the holes evenly spaced?

[Titus Marius Secundus]

Thank you Jvrjenivs, I like some of those there! I actually would like to make my own, and your intention may have been to show me a variety of designs and choices. I like quite a few of them, but for Flarian periods, are there restrictions? Such as Vindonissa types...I don't know my history there. I promise I'll make it my homework :oops:

Anyway, terminals, I'm sure there's a greater variety of terminals out that than what I just see in reconstructions!!!! SHOW ME SOMETHING SPECIAL!!

[Titus Marius Secundus]

Absolutely not kind sir, this is what I used...can you imagine me standing at my work table pushing into the leather a thousand holes? ahhhh lengthy work, and with the result of mostly sore hands, and a sore chin! I puch down straight with my chin at the backing of the handle. I can look straight down onto the leather to guide it. Yes, weird, but efficient! Very very sore chin I wouldn't mind ever doing it again though! I always wonder if I'll ever end up making lots of things for people... :-P :-P lol.

[Titus Marius Secundus]

p.s I did more measuring with my perfect eye, than with the perfect ruler...why? Because AUTHENTICALLY...Romans were just perfect weren't they?! 8-)

[jvrjenivs]

p.s I did more measuring with my perfect eye, than with the perfect ruler...why? Because AUTHENTICALLY...Romans were just perfect weren't they?! 8-)

Are you sure about your ruler being perfect? I thought I saw some (little) misplaced marks on it...

[Titus Marius Secundus]

:-o
It's a quality Chinese-made product thank youuu veryyy much! :!: