Woohoo i did it, now my head and arms hurt! (Chainmaille project)

[RayvenQ]

So today I finished working on a chainmaille piece, notable for its two most...interesting features, 1. A 45 Degree seam (never done one till now) joining 2. 2 4 in one pattern triangles (which are a pain in the rear to make)

Why have I done this you ask? I'm working on a chainmail bikini top(and if anyone makes any jokes about it being fo me, they get a clobbering! )

Sadly, this test isn't likely to work out as the rings are slightly too small for what i need them to do in the later stages, but I'm experimenting on a way of making it work. It's only a basic thing because, as of this moment, while I am making it, i have nobody to make it for (pretty much all my friends nowadays are online rather than irl) So it probably won't go beyond basic (for it to fit someone i need the person to fit it on actually here so i can work things out etc etc.)

So without any delay, a picture of the piece! FYI each ring is just over a cm wide fom the outisde)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/tqv5i8n3oc...2014.17.11.jpg (how its meant to be oriented)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ps3pl62ndv...2014.18.43.jpg (at an angle showing off the turn in it more)

[Gizmo]

Cool. A friend does this stuff so I know how boring but difficult it can be. As for chainmail bikinis I've known a few people who have worn them at events dating back about 10-15 years up to date.... with apprarently nothing underneath and somehow seem to be comfortable. Not my personal cup of tea but they work them well!

[RayvenQ]

The main problem with chainmail bikini's isn't the comfort, it's the fact that you're showing er....things, through the chainmail rings, so the weave has to be tight if you're going without a lining or anything, so you don'tget arrested for indecency. But funnily enough the tighter the weave, the more smoother it feels.

[Shpepper]

Very nicely done. I do that too. But make mostly jewelry.

[RayvenQ]

Very nicely done. I do that too. But make mostly jewelry.

Thats mostly what i want to do, as its more cost/time effective, though I have made myself a shirt out of it, because i just had to.

[dalesys]

...chainmail pants with a missing link...

[Kal]

I spent quite a few evenings once making the rings from wire, cutting and smoothing them and joining them all into a piece of mail. I used two 10m rolls of wire and ended up making a chainmail hanky (very small rings so it flows beautifully and can be treated like heavy cloth).

[Shpepper]

What metal do you use ? I have found a source for stainless steel near where I live and that is what I use. I would love to be able to afford silver to work with. But that is just a dream at this point in time.

[RayvenQ]

If you're American or Canadian The Ring Lord is a good source for rings, wire and scales.

http://theringlord.com/

If you're from the UK or Europe Beadsisters is a good source for rings and scales and tools and other misc bits, though they dont have quite the range of The Ring Lord (they have fanastic delivery too (and actualy, looking at the price, it's cheap for delivering to the US/Anywhere in the world)

www.beadsisters.co.uk/

[fireheart]

At least it's not a chainmail buttplug (as I recall we were discussing once in chat)

A friend of mine also does chainmail stuff. His primary focus is jewellery although every year, when I go over to the medieval fair, without fail, he has the chainmaille bikini there. Makes me giggle every time.

[lordlundar]

so the weave has to be tight if you're going without a lining or anything, so you don'tget arrested for indecency.

you know, indecency would be the last thing on my mind regarding having a lining for chainmail.

[RayvenQ]

At least it's not a chainmail buttplug (as I recall we were discussing once in chat)

Don't remind me. Speaking of which, there is quite a lot of...ahem, adult, stuff that can be made with chainmail!

you know, indecency would be the last thing on my mind regarding having a lining for chainmail.

Well, what'd be the first thing on your mind? Aside from "Holy shit it's cold" when first putting it on. Or do you mean the whole subject of pinching (which with a suitable sized ring and a tighness of weave, would not be a problem whatsoever)

[dalesys]

Well, what'd be the first thing on your mind?

If you didn't have a Brazilian, you will!

[ComputerNecromancer]

The main problem with chainmail bikini's isn't the comfort, it's the fact that you're showing er....things, through the chainmail rings, so the weave has to be tight if you're going without a lining or anything, so you don'tget arrested for indecency. But funnily enough the tighter the weave, the more smoother it feels.

Actually, there are *two* problems with unlined chainmail bikinis.

1. *any* chainmail worn on top of bare skin on a sunny day is almost guaranteed sunburn.

2. (this is a problem with the bottoms, or occasional with chain shirts on *really* hairy guys). Hair will work thru the links. And when you go to remove the bottom (or shirt for guys) the hair may be *very* well tangled with the chain.

Not a recommended means of hair removal.

[lordlundar]

Well, what'd be the first thing on your mind? Aside from "Holy shit it's cold" when first putting it on. Or do you mean the whole subject of pinching (which with a suitable sized ring and a tighness of weave, would not be a problem whatsoever)

The pinching actually. Even with a tight enough weave or proper sized links would still be a risk, especially when you consider the tighter the weave, the heavier the final product will be which increases the chance.

Add to the fact that the goosebumps from the cold armor would leave nice little ridges to pinch.