Let me say straight away that I
like chain maille. It is awkward to make, materials are hard to work
with, it is labour intensive and demands full concentration. but for all
that you can create some smashing things. I like the way maille hangs
and the weight when you wear it. all I knew fo maille was Norman and
Viking halberks and maille worn by knights. It turns out there is a
whole host of options with maille, not least the decorative styles that
make ropes.
I fancied trying chain maille as a decorative element on my armour pieces. Having seen the cost of maille pieces at living history fairs and having had a sly lesson from the maille rings supplier at one of these fairs I figured it would be worth while having a go. Mr Internet came up trumps with several maille forums. I also founs a local suppliers for decorative maille. The heavy duty steel rings I have to get at fairs.
I bought some big jump rings, to make it easy to begin with, a book and a few tools. I followed the rules I was taught at the fair and made a sheet of 4 in 1 chain maille in brass rings.
Next I selected a pattern for a decorative chain. I purchased the materials and a did as I was told, for a change. The chain worked out very nicely. The bracelet turned out to be a bit long so a reduced the length. Instead of discarding the chain I had removed I lengthened it slightly then made another piece to match. I got a couple of Sterling silver ear hooks and what do you know, I have a pair of ear rings to match the bracelet.
Now with a bit practise behind me a tried something else. I watched The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy recently, one ofthe characters is called Zaphod Beetlebrox, president of the universe or some such title. Onthe his hand he wears a chain maille cuuf. Thsi was an insiration to me. I took the chain maille sheet I made as a test piece, sewed the maille to a strap then removed rings until I had a point finishing on the middle finger. I just need a ring to secure the pointed end of the cuff to the finger and the piece is complete.
I fancied trying chain maille as a decorative element on my armour pieces. Having seen the cost of maille pieces at living history fairs and having had a sly lesson from the maille rings supplier at one of these fairs I figured it would be worth while having a go. Mr Internet came up trumps with several maille forums. I also founs a local suppliers for decorative maille. The heavy duty steel rings I have to get at fairs.
I bought some big jump rings, to make it easy to begin with, a book and a few tools. I followed the rules I was taught at the fair and made a sheet of 4 in 1 chain maille in brass rings.
Next I selected a pattern for a decorative chain. I purchased the materials and a did as I was told, for a change. The chain worked out very nicely. The bracelet turned out to be a bit long so a reduced the length. Instead of discarding the chain I had removed I lengthened it slightly then made another piece to match. I got a couple of Sterling silver ear hooks and what do you know, I have a pair of ear rings to match the bracelet.
Now with a bit practise behind me a tried something else. I watched The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy recently, one ofthe characters is called Zaphod Beetlebrox, president of the universe or some such title. Onthe his hand he wears a chain maille cuuf. Thsi was an insiration to me. I took the chain maille sheet I made as a test piece, sewed the maille to a strap then removed rings until I had a point finishing on the middle finger. I just need a ring to secure the pointed end of the cuff to the finger and the piece is complete.
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