Medieval Arm Bracers

Hello everyone!
Here is an instructable I made of some leather arm bands. I got the idea from the movie of narnia a few years ago, but never got around to making them until a while ago. They're really comfortable to wear if you make them right, and they'll protect your arms if you're using a bow. I actually shoot left handed even though I'm right handed, regardless of the picture. I shoot often in the summer, but the string was putting welts on my arm, so this summer I decided to make them. I used thin leather, which was why I used the sticks, but you can use really thick and heavy leather. Apholstery leather will work just fine, too.

Step 1: Materials

Plain cowhide leather

Ruler

Pencil

Scissors

Permanent felt pen (black)

Hole puncher


Thread the color of the leather

Brown material

Small thin sticks (I used shish-kabob sticks)

Awl, or small nail and hammer

Step 2: The Leather

First, measure your arm below the elbow, the forearm and the wrist.
The top of mine was nine inches. The middle was eight inches. And the wrist was six and a quarter inches. And from top to bottom it was eight and one sixteenth inches.
After you draw it carefully cut it out.

Then on each side of the leather draw two straight lines three quarters of a centimeter apart from top to bottom.

Step 3: Hole Punching

Take your Ruler and draw two straight lines on each side of the leather three quarters of a centimeter apart. Then take your Awl or nail and hammer and punch holes close together on each line.

Step 4: Sewing Time!

Cut two pieces of material as long as the leather on each side and slightly wider than the the lines so that you have enough to fold under. Thread your needle. Fold the material under on one side and sew it to the leather on the little holes. When you sew the other side leave the middle just loose enough so that the stick will fit inside. When you've finished each side, take the sticks, cut them to length, and push them under the material on both sides. Then sew both ends up. The reason I put sticks in there is because if there's nothing to support it it will pull itself down your arm when you tighten the laces.

Step 5: The Lace Holes

Using the hole puncher, punch lace holes on each side of the leather. Unfortunately, the only one I had was heart shaped. Isn't that funny? You can also put silver rivets in the holes, too.

Step 6: The Laces

Cut two long laces for the arm bands. Unfortunately, mine were not long enough, so I had to tie two together. But it doesn't show.

Step 7: Decoration

Now you can put any kind of decoration you like. I chose the fleur-de-lis because it's been around for hundreds of years. I also put two black lines on the top and bottom. Anyway, these are really easy to make and I hope you enjoy this. Ask me any questions and I'll answer them.

Cheerio!

Comments

[bluesdocbob]

the Armbrace works with the smooth leather on the inner arm or upper side and the lace or buckles on the outer / under side thus Bow String slides along the smooth leather surface.

[MandalorianMaker]

The proper name is a vambrace, fyi. They look great though.

[The Innkeeper]

Since it's being used for archery, bracer is the more accurate description. Vambraces were usually part of a larger ensemble (plate, etc.).

And, yes, I agree, they look great. Thinking about making a set, myself.

[af601glock]

Well done.

[Grace Carnegie]

Thank you!