Mirdala's First Kit WIP! Done! (Pics Last Page)

[Mirdala]

After looking at some of the directions that others have taken their Mando'ad, I've decided to really start to hammer out mine (though at the moment, not going with metal so that would only really be a figurative statement at this point.)

Right now I've decided to go with the two-piece soft part approach (like Hydra's Mandos, she is awesome!), mainly because it seems like it would be easier for me that way. I also like her closer-fitting style to the flight suit approach.

Some of my inspiration is also being drawn from my SCA garb as well in that I will be creating a rather long flack jacket that will be a psuedo-ghawazee or Medieval Turkish-style coat. Here's an example pic (It's the main over-garment that goes down to my knees, or where they would be if you could see under the skirt. It's a bit disheveled, but I'd just gotten through dancing in the competition, so umm...yeah.):



I can kind of see the same effect as what I want with Hydra's Umi Mando. It's vaguely similar and I love her head piece so I might pick her brain (or anyone willing to help!) about that, but once I get my bucket. Here's what I'm talking about (again this is Hydra, not me. I have no kit...yet.):



And the collar I plan on using for possibly an over layer (haven't decided yet) ***Note, not my drawing and I can't remember who this is I found it a long time ago. If you know who this belongs to please let me know so I can credit them!)***



Here's what I've worked out on the Mando Maker (Love it!)


I will post more about who Mirdala is and more or less how she came to be in a later post.

[Kel T Skirata]

Nice concept 

[virusq]

Woot!  Ghawazee armor!  Can't wait to see this one. 

[Mirdala]

For the flack jackets, what fabrics would you recommend? I suppose it'd need to be fairly sturdy since the armor would be attaching to it. I will be doing the chest armor and keeping the neck piece.

I'll have to play with the design to figure out where I want to panel it.

I almost don't know where to begin first. I think that the soft parts would be easiest, but again need to get the material.

I'm in Oklahoma so you might. I'm hoping to have it done by June for AKon.

I just wish that so many of the links for the FemMando section weren't broken or kept sending me error messages about that I don't have access to the page or that it's missing.

[Ca'tra Talyc]

I like the designs so far. As far as vest/flak jacket materials, canvas, leather (and pleather or vinyl) are popular choices. I'm using that fun faux-suede fabric for my current in-progress kit. It also depends a bit on the weight of your plates. Lighter plates means you can get away with using lighter weight fabrics. The attachment method will probably also make a difference, velcro versus snaps versus bolts through grommets. Honestly, my experience thus far has been that if your vest fits well and is not made of stretchy material, your body will support the weight of the plates. They won't sag because the fabric, regardless of its weight, doesn't have anywhere to sag to. Now, if your fabric is so flimsy that the weight of the plates causes it to tear, that'd be problematic, but you'd have to use something quite thin coupled with heavy plates and few attachment points for it become an issue.

Is there any particular info for femmandos you're looking for? I'd like to help.

[Mirdala]

Ca'tra, I have to blink every time I see your name, because at one time Ca'tra was an alias that I used for this character in RP...

Anywho, since this is going to be my first build, I was thinking about going the rubbermaid method to get started, though I can't figure out the best way to cheaply do the Fem-parts of the chest armor. Trash cans will work for the other pieces. Any advice against mixing armor types?

Also, I'm not quite sure where a good starting point would be, but I think that I've found some boots so at least my feet will look awesome!

[Ca'tra Talyc]

I prefer to have as much of my armor be the same material as possible, but it should all look like 'beskar" (iron) when its done, so there's no real *need* to use all the same material.  The "best" technique is dependant upon the desired shape. A lot of ladies seem to be having very good luck using half mannequins, which can be found on e-bay for around $20 shipped. It is possible to do chest plates out of trash cans or sterilite bins, Mar'yece did some very nice things using darts as seen here http://mercs.firespray.net/forum/index.php?topic=19170.0

As far as a good starting point, some people like to start with the helmet, because once that's done, it inspires one to keep working. I personally like to work from the skin out: flightsuit, vest, neckseal, boots and gloves, then armor plates and gauntlets. The advantage of this method is that you can fit the plates to the actual articles that will be worn under them. I just make things in more or less the order that I will put them on when I suit up. I also like to paint all of my armor parts at the same time, it helps me to keep my technique consistent.

[Slade Kel (Marrok)]

As a guy, pretty much no matter what soft parts I wear, my chest is going to be the same time, which is why I always suggest starting with the armor first. Contrary to my suggestions in the podcast chat, with femmando kits you'll want to figure the fit of the vest and flight suit, and even the style of bra you're going to wear before making the armor. All three can factor in enough to alter the fit, depending on your bust size. You definitely don't want to end up with chest plates that are too small to fit on comfortably.

For the armor, I've little experience with sintra or plastic myself, so as Ca'tra suggested definitely check out Mar'ecye's dart style method, as well as half mannequins, if you can find one that would likely fit your build. For examples of mannequin style chest plates, check out Len'ya Sarsk's kit and Sinclair Reau's. There are others that have done so, but those two I can think of right off the top of my head. There are also, if I recall, a few people vacuumforming female chest plates. They can be found in the Trading Station here on the site, and usually offer several different sizes.

[Lucas McCoy]

best of luck with your build

[Mirdala]

I plan on trying to find the red fabric for the flack jacket this weekend, hopefully Hancock's will be having a sale. I think that I'm going to go with canvas.

Not sure how I'm going to go about the other soft parts. I know that I'm either going to do a two-piece flight suit or probably see about finding some underarmor for the upper part.

Now I just have to figure out how much of the darn fabric I need.

[Mirdala]

My armor took up a quarter of a sheet of sentra! All traced out


All cut out!


All heat formed!
Note, I know I'm going to have to reform one of the thigh pieces...I think that we were all tired and high on sentra fumes at that point in the evening...good thing it's forgiving...

I had a blast at the first Oror'ade Beskar'gam Party! (sadly, cannot find a word for it) Let's get official guys!

Can't wait for the next one! (I still need help with the soft parts.)

Another note/question: I know I don't have a back piece made yet, I am planning on making one that's segmented for mobility purposes (no one likes a Mando turtle!), but there was some discussion at the Party as to whether or not one was still required if the wearer had something else covering the back. I thought that with the current CLRs that they were.

[Slade Kel (Marrok)]

Looks like you're off to a good start . As for the back, per the CRLs, you do NOT need a back plate if you have a back covering (such as a cape, duster or something similar) that covers your back from shoulder-to-shoulder and neck-to-waist. In other words, people should not be able to tell by looking that there's no back plate underneath the cape, or whatever.

[Mirdala]

Okay so after a delay for getting married, I'm back on this project.

After talking to Destroyer at Trek Expo in Tulsa, OK , I've decided to go with scrubs for some of my soft parts. I just need to find something to cover my neck since scrubs don't cover that. Where's the best place to get a cloth version of one of those stormtrooper necks?

[Hagen Nor'ak]

Are you specificly looking for a stormtrooper neckseal or something to use as a neckseal in general? There are a few diffrent styles of neckseals inunivers (TK's,TE's, CT's, Boba, CW DW) with most having tutorials on how to make them if you have any sewing ability.

If sewing isn't your thing (and I'm right there with yeah then) there are several places and people (some of them in our very own trading station) that would be more then happy to meet your needs. Ebay is always an option, usually not the best, but still an option.

Sorry the answer was a little vague, but more info on what exactly you want. Also if you were still planning to use something like Hydra's hood and cloak, you probably wouldn't need a neckseal as the hood/cloak combo should cover up your neck anyways.

Have a good one,
Hagen

[Parjai]

I have a cloth stormtrooper neckseal, you should of asked me at the armor party lol