07-29-2006, 02:16 AM
Well, we tried ten different variations on the twist, fold, gather methods and a couple of others, and the final plan looks almost identical to what Jim Valerius sent from Ludus LA. So there ya go. There's a slightly different idea, though, from another source, and that is that they just bunched up all that cloth in the crotch. I tried it. It works, but it's weird. I like the trimmed away center. So after all the experimentation, cut up strange shapes of cloth, we did what we were told in the first place. Ok?
Here's what we came up with. Men, put on a belt around your belly about two inches above the navel (Women, you should probably use your natural waistline). Measure down from there how far you want the tip of the front triangle to hang. Write that down. Get someone to measure down about the same distance in the back. It may not be the same number. Write it down. Now, measure from the center front of the belt down under the crotch and back up to the belt. Write that down, too. You'll need a length of cloth the sum of those three numbers, as wide as the measurement of the width of the back.
For the width of the back, it's your waist measurement at the belt minus about three inches. For the front, it's about half your waist measurement. We decided to over lap the front over the back.
We made the crotch width about ten inches (25 cm) Then cut a smooth curve down from the back fold to the ten inch wide line at the center, and back out to the edge of the waist. This is more easily done by folding the cloth on the midline, and using a chalk or removable pencil. Cut both edges at once. Hem. Turn edges under again, and hem again. (Capturing the raw edge of the material, so it won't fray. This makes the crotch more like 8 inches (20 cm)
Now what we did that was a little different was this. We took some of the cut off, cut it in a strip about 2 inches wide (5 cm), and about a waist measurement long. Then fold in the edges to the center line. Then fold in the center. This should give you about a half inch wide (12mm) strip. Sew down the open edge. Sew these strips onto the back section, one on each side at the fold line to make a soft belt.
Spread out the garment on the floor, and stand over it. Take the front bottom edge and grip it in your teeth. Lift the belts up, cross in the front, over the cloth, and tie under the flap in the back. Then drop the front and adjust. Ready for the fancy leather belt.
Weird garment. But it works. Thanks, Jim V for the idea. And a tip of the subligaculum to all who helped us figure this out, from the original designer lady on down to lil' old me. Anyhow, it's easier to do than to write about.
PS Jim, I really like the Ghost Bird blazon on those gladiator scuta. Mind If it copy it?
Here's what we came up with. Men, put on a belt around your belly about two inches above the navel (Women, you should probably use your natural waistline). Measure down from there how far you want the tip of the front triangle to hang. Write that down. Get someone to measure down about the same distance in the back. It may not be the same number. Write it down. Now, measure from the center front of the belt down under the crotch and back up to the belt. Write that down, too. You'll need a length of cloth the sum of those three numbers, as wide as the measurement of the width of the back.
For the width of the back, it's your waist measurement at the belt minus about three inches. For the front, it's about half your waist measurement. We decided to over lap the front over the back.
We made the crotch width about ten inches (25 cm) Then cut a smooth curve down from the back fold to the ten inch wide line at the center, and back out to the edge of the waist. This is more easily done by folding the cloth on the midline, and using a chalk or removable pencil. Cut both edges at once. Hem. Turn edges under again, and hem again. (Capturing the raw edge of the material, so it won't fray. This makes the crotch more like 8 inches (20 cm)
Now what we did that was a little different was this. We took some of the cut off, cut it in a strip about 2 inches wide (5 cm), and about a waist measurement long. Then fold in the edges to the center line. Then fold in the center. This should give you about a half inch wide (12mm) strip. Sew down the open edge. Sew these strips onto the back section, one on each side at the fold line to make a soft belt.
Spread out the garment on the floor, and stand over it. Take the front bottom edge and grip it in your teeth. Lift the belts up, cross in the front, over the cloth, and tie under the flap in the back. Then drop the front and adjust. Ready for the fancy leather belt.
Weird garment. But it works. Thanks, Jim V for the idea. And a tip of the subligaculum to all who helped us figure this out, from the original designer lady on down to lil' old me. Anyhow, it's easier to do than to write about.
PS Jim, I really like the Ghost Bird blazon on those gladiator scuta. Mind If it copy it?
M. Demetrius Abicio
(David Wills)
Saepe veritas est dura.
(David Wills)
Saepe veritas est dura.
