Joan: progress

Here's what I'm working on today: pop tab chain mail!

Joan: Sketches!

Here are the sketches for Joan! I can already tell a couple things might have to change, but I do like these so I thought I would share.

Future posts will cover materials and methods, but first up: pattern drafting.

Joan: Research Part 3

Now that I've spent days looking at suits of armour, I thought it would be an important next step to look at gowns. I am building a dress after all. Here are some wonderful pieces of Haute Couture inspiration from Dior, McQueen and Gaultier.

Some of these I like for the silhouette, some for the lines, the styles or even small details. But all of them are absolutely beautiful. Stay tuned for sketches, coming soon.

Joan: Research Part 2

Here are more fabulous photos of armour that I found from three separate books: A Short History of Costume and Armour: Vol. 1, Knights in Shining Armour and Arms and Armour. The books are wonderful and the photographs are stunning. Some of the detail shots will be so helpful in creating Joan and figuring out how she fits together.

I think the last scan is my favorite. After all, I guess it's fair that knights in shining armour get bored too, sometimes.

The post covering part 1 of research is here.

Joan Part 1: Research

So for the Leap Year show (opening the last week of February! So close but so far), I'm making a ball gown that looks like it's made of plate armour. I want to document the process here, so I thought I would start with some research photos and websites that have been helpful!

The pictures are pretty much from all over the place (sorry... I must learn to document properly). I've decided that my favorite parts of suits of armour are shoulders and joints. Something about shaping hard materials into something that is round and flexible make for some of the most interesting designs. I also really like the ornamental details that make the armour seem more like a tailored outfit. I'm absolutely in love with the flowered armour (screen capture from a Game of Thrones featurette), it is absolutely fantastic and every suit of armour should be this beautiful.

I also like the first painting of Joan of Arc because I find her expression absolutely unreadable. Is she happy? Sad? Determined? She just seems so distant, I love it (also, where did her helmet go?).

Lastly, all the gold detailing is boss. I'm into it. Although I'm wondering how I can make something that looks just as delicate.

Also, here are some cool websites that I have found while researching:


Volpin Props: Best Prop Armour Blog EVER

Arador: An Armour Library

Jia Jem: OOOOH Super Fancy Cosplay

So there are the goodies for the day. So excited about working on Joan, finally!


marianne.