Issue 52

This issue was similar to the combination of the final work in issue 46 and the entire work of issue 47. First I cut and the string segments, then I glued the tips, finally I attached the plates together. Not much else to say about this one.

Next time I'll finish the metal sections and then the backing.

Issue 51

This was a very difficult issue to finish. I can't decide if it was the most, but it certainly ranks near the top, and in theory it should not have been so complicated.

I first had to attach the armoured section to the silk backing. This is similar to what I have done with both the sleeve and thigh parts. However, on those parts I was working with thread and 4mm silk string,  while this time I was using 5mm silk string. I know that may not seem like much of a difference but this string got twisted quite easily and I felt it was more difficult to work with. Also, I think I attached the armoured plates together a bit too tightly. When bending the parts into place the tension in the string was quite high. In retrospect I think adding a little slack to the line would have helped the process quite a bit.

Further complicating matters was a section of leather covering about a quarter of the backing. Making holes in this and then threading the silk string through was quite difficult. The tip of the silk string is just held together with glue and that would often come apart when working on this section. This would delay the process while I fixed it and waited for the glue to dry again.

Finally, once the armour had been attached, I secured the straps in place and then glued on the backing. Of course to finish the process I also stitched the entire backing in place. Now the left shin guard is complete. In the next few issues I will begin to work on the right shin guard. I don't imagine it will be much easier, but at least I'll know what to expect.

Issue 50

This issue finished the thigh guards and it was made of several small steps. First I threaded the leather cord through the small patch I put on in the last issue. Next I made another 'knot' before securing the whole thing in place with glue and finally stitching it in place.

The other steps were to attach the buttons to the tabs on back of the piece. This it was a simple process as I have made similar parts several times on other areas of the armour, although this part was a little different. Usually this kind of thing is comprised of a button section and a second 8 shaped part, except time there was no second piece, and this makes it a little hard to keep the buttoned sections closed. However, as it's on the back on the thigh pads, and that part is unseen, I could just use a clothespin or something to keep the tabs closed.

Next issue I'll finish the left shin guard and begin the final five.

Issue 49

This issue was a fun change of pace, it was hand stitching again. I almost think I should rename my blog to "Sewing Samurai Armour" because I spend so much time with a needle and thread. The only pieces included in this issue were a long silk ribbon and a small leather patch.

First I sealed the ends of the silk with some glue then I had to first align the two thigh guards and joined them together. Next I sewed the silk ribbon to the front, carefully folded it over the top, and finally sewed it down on the back. For the last part of this issue I carefully measured and marked where to put the holes on the leather patch, I used my punch to make the holes, and then I glued it in place.

Next time I'll finish the details on the thigh guards.

Issue 48

This issue was not too difficult. It was a lot like the previous issue, but with a small twist. First I joined another two sections of the shin guard, then I started to attach this section to the parts from the other issues. Although it was more complex than average, I did not find it too demanding. This work required a degree of skill, and that skill is something I have developed while constructing this project. Unfortunately, in the future I can't foresee any circumstance where I'll need to use these skills again, so I'm doing my best to use them now.

Issue 47

There is not much to say about this issue. it was very similar to the final section of the previous issue, however this time there were less steps to complete it.

I used two short sections of the silk string from the previous issue to join these two parts. I wish I could say more, but that's all there was to do this time. Next, I will be joining two more parts of the shin guard, and then joining all the sections together.