Monthly Archives: January 2010

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After more than a decade of black gambesons, I finally broke down and made myself an ultra fancy gambeson from a brocade fabric.  This came out nicer than I expected, but it’s only for intermittent use.  The material is not nearly as durable as the heavy denim.  After it’s inaugural use it was already showing wear in the areas where the metal and straps were rubbing all day.  I have broken this out for a couple of other events such as the Combat of the Thirty at Pennsic XXXVIII, but otherwise it’s more suitable as garb.  I had to overlock all the edges as well, so if someone wants something akin to this I have to warn you that it’ll cost more, and not last as long.  But I present it here for any who might inquire.

$350.00 U.S.

This is a standard gambeson, points at the shoulders are visible, points at the elbows aren’t, but they are there.  Similarly the elbow pads are internal.  Fabric covered buttons.
 

$350.00 U.S.
 
Simple Parti Color divisions are no extra cost.  The front and back of each side is the same color.  It does take a little extra time but not enough to really justify charging for it.  This sample has simple metal buttons.

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Parti Colored Gambesons: The more complicated the divisions, the more time it takes at layout and the more material it takes.  Thus I do have to charge extra for more complicated  divisions.  Also, doing any color with white doesn’t always work well, the white absorbs any stray dye in the wash. 

This is one of the earlier style ones I did.  This used a moving blanket for the padding.  I tried the collar on this but found it trapped too much heat.  I also spaced the stitching closer which resulted in a much stiffer garment that with a kidney protection is suitable for body armor.  I can’t really recommend this style but have it here for comparison purposes.  If I was in a much colder clime this might work, but the denser padding also took longer to dry, adding to it’s own problems.