Chain maille embroidered Shirt

In this Tutorial (instructable) you will learn how to make the European 4-in-1 style chainmaille (the most basic of weaves) and sew it onto a shirt. You will have to decide what design you want to make, and how you do it is up to you. If you need help send me a message, and I will do my best to help you.

Chain Maille used to be worn by soldiers in the middle ages. It was used as protection from swords and arrows, and kept objects from entering the body. Although it stopped most weapons from cutting and stabbing, it did not how ever keep the force from effecting the body, and breaking bones, or giving nasty bruises. I tell you this because I want you to know that this chain maille is not strong enough to stop bullets. It might stop a knife, but if you decide to test it, I will not be held responsible for any injuries, deaths or anger because you ruined your project. :P Chain maille is a very time consuming thing to make, so if you do not have alot of patience or a large attention span, this might not be the project for you.

Chain maille has a few different spellings, such as Chainmail, chain mail, chain-mail, chain-maille, chainmaille, and chain maille.

Step 1 Tools and Materials

Tools:
Two pairs of needle nose pliers,
one pair of wire cutters,
a thick needle,
scissors
wire strippers
a metal rod of some sort.

Materials:
Thick fabric, I used some military canvas I had laying around.
coat thread. You can also use normal thread, but you will have to use more stitches to keep the chain maille on.
masking tape
wire of some sort.
A T-shirt

The metal rod is is what you will be using to make the chain links. Bigger links are easier to work with, but are pulled apart easier. Smaller links are harder to work with, but also stronger. I got the rod from an old printer I had laying around.

I stripped the insulation off some electrical wire, and used the copper wire inside. You can buy steel wire from a hardware store.

Comments

[Hexpigge]

You can make some nice things with this, but now you have to wash it by your hands, you can't drop them into a washer :?. Nice tutorial :}

[skimmo]

could you stick chain mail onto leather?

[Lizander]

Yes you could, although you would need to puch holes with the leather first. After you have done this, then stitch the chain maille on as described in the instructable.

[Lizander]

hey thanks alot Drcoolsanta! I know my pictures are not very good (cell phone quality) , but I am buying a new computer and comera next week so I will upload better ones next week!!

[Killer~SafeCracker]

Use the reply button when replying.

[stonesword37]

hey its zach i just voted and i like the shirt its sweet make me one or wear it to nurv

[Lizander]

hey thanks alot man!! good to see you on here!!

[Lizander]

@ NamelessBob: nope it wouldn't turn your chest green if you used copper, because there is the shirt material and a thick fabric between your skin and the copper. @RaidenxPRO: thanks alot man!!

[Lizander]

also it takes constant direct contact between the skin and copper. When I was making the chain maille, my thumbs were only turning slightly green after about a week of making the letters. The greeness disappears fairly quickly as well.

[DrCoolSanta]

The greenness from copper is usually just temporary, washing hands doesn't get it out, but it goes away within hours. Btw, I like this instructable :D

[NamelessBob]

Hey, I luv this art. Would it turn my chest green though? Kiefer/ NamelessBob

[RaidenxPRO]

Hey, lizander. your shirt is totally awesome. you should make me one. :) Bryce