Introduction: Chainmail Costume (cloth)

Introduction(skip if you don't care)

Hello, Michael here. This instructable demonstrates my idea for a pseudo-chainmail costume. At this time it is only conceptual, but I'm certain the results will only have minor bugs. 


Materials & Tools:

Black Mesh Cloth (link below demonstrates a laundry bag that would work nicely)
Silver Spray Paint (or other metallic color of your choice)
Needle & thread (black preferably)
Scissors
Measuring Tape

beads, or tiny fishing weights for adornment and the illusion of weighted rings (optional)

Bag:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-Industrial-Strength-Laundry-Bag/19598769


Paint: (might work better than the paint I plan to use because it is meant for fabric.)
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Next-Style-Simply-Spray-Fabric-Paint-Blue-Jay-Lavender-Black/20711975



*Tip #1: The width of the mesh will be a real selling point on the chainmail effect. To my eyes the bag in the link has a really good mesh size.


DISCLAIMER: IMAGES USED IN THIS INSTRUCTABLE ARE NOT MY OWN! THEY ARE FOR VISUAL AID PURPOSES ONLY! THIS IS ONLY A PROP, IT WON'T PROTECT YOU FROM ARROWS, SHARKS, GRUMPY CAT, ETC.

Step 1: The Torso of the Tunic

There are several different pieces of chainmail armor that a person can wear, I will demonstrate how you might make a chainmail tunic because it is probably the most common piece anyone would want.However,  the same general rules should apply to all pieces.

Forget the sleeves for just a moment and focus on the torso.

Find a shirt that fits well, especially around the torso.

A shirt like demonstrated in the photo is comprised of a few parts, the important ones right now are the torso sections. There is the front panel and the back panel. Basically two rectangles that are roughly the same size and sewn together along the and top to make the basic shirt. 

Make two similar panels out of the mesh material, but allow an extra inch of overall width for seam allowance.

*Tip #2: Making the front and back panels about 6 inches(15 centimeters) longer will give the tunic a more realistic look.




Step 2: The Sleeves of the Tunic

Similar to the previous step, the sleeves are also made of front and back panels. Do essentially what you did to make the torso panels in making these. The sleeves can be any length you desire from nonexistent to draping over the fingertips. It's all a matter of the look your going for. 

*Tip #3: If you add about 2 inches (5 centimeters) of extra width to the panels the loose fit should look more realistic than chainmail stretching over your biceps like spandex.

Step 3: Sew the Panels

This is probably the most time consuming part it may be a bit confusing with just words so...
Here's a video I found that shows the basics of the concept in action.

Step 4: Painting

After it's all stitched together, you still have some painting to do.

Take the newly sewn tunic to a place you can get plenty of freshly cycled air. Take all the precautions you can to keep yourself from being injured blah blah blah...

Place the tunic on a flat surface or pin it in some fashion to a clothesline or wall. Get a feel for how the paint comes out of the can by spraying a piece of paper or scrap. In slow short sweeps from a distance of about 8 inches let the paint mist over the tunic. Do this until you are pleased with the appearance, more than 1 coat may be necessary.

*Tip #4: Allowing bits of black to remain might make the effect better than completely coating it in silver, this will give it the feeling of depth and age (and is why we opted for black rather than fuscia).

Step 5:

One last bit you can do is add metal beads or tiny fishing weights to the hems of the sleeves and tunic. This will allow it to flow as if it has more weight than a piece of holey cloth. Other than that and any extra touches you may personally want to add (see list) you are now on your way to becoming the greatest blacksmith of all the 7 realms.

List of Effects You May Add and How:

Rust colored paint sprayed gently from a distance may give it the appearance of age (great for skeletal warriors)
Varying shades of silver may give the tunic for depth and realistic appearance
Alternatively you may use gold or bronze or brass for a ceremonial tunic fit for a king or prince.

*Tip #5: If you  plan on wearing something (like a doublet or hauberk) over the chainmail tunic (every time you wear the tunic) you may consider only adding the chainmail parts that will be seen. For example, If you wear a doublet that would conceal the torso of the tunic, just make the sleeves and sew them to the inside.