Tips on how to make a breastplate

[Miss_Nish]

Woman's breastplate...

Alright... I finally got all the material that I need to make my breatplate. I'll be using 4" bones, crow beads (I think that's what you call them), some silver crow beads, and bone feathers & mini jinglesto hang on the bottom.

Which would be better.. make it line by line? or row by row?

I decided to put 30 - 4" bones in each row. That should be good enough right? I started the breastplate going line by line... but now I'm wondering if that was such a good idea. I don't want the bones/beads to come off.

Any suggestions that you might have would be totally appreciated. Meegwetc.. in advance.

Peace..

[Selina]

Well, I made my breastplate the same way you make chokers.
I took sinew to thread the bones and beads.
You also need leather straps inbetween.

When you know what the breastplate should look like, I always start to thread up on one line (to get the approx. length).
There you can still change the design if it is too short or something.

And when all is threaded up (you need much space to lay everything out on the floor or a table) I begin to tie everything up.

Hope I could help.
I attached a pic of my breastplate.
If you have any more questions feel free to ask!
:D

[NDNQt]

I don't know a thing about making breastplates but the breastplate my aunt from Oklahoma gave me does not use leather strips. The strips are made of wood!! Therefore you don't get that sagging look. She said that is how they do it. It is soo cool looking. Always neat and in place!! Just my thoughts!:p

[Miss_Nish]

Selina... so ya did do each line going down? Pretty breastplate. :) How'd you tie the sinew? I started out that way... but now I'm not sure to tie the sinew. :p I don't want sinew sticking out all over.

NDNQt.... I wanted the use the wooden sticks instead of leather strips because it sorta looks neater. For now... I will use thick leather strips. I want a breastplate to match the dress I have now. When I'm done my beaded top... I'll make another breastplate for that dress.

Meegwetc.. for the input.

[Selina]

Miss_Nishnab, I tied the sinew once around the top leatherstrip and melted it after cutting.
so you only have a small dot.

I'd love to see the top of your dress when it's finished!

:D

[Miss_Nish]

Selina...

I will be putting some long hours into finishing that dress for April, 2003. I had some done already.. but I wasn't happy with the beadwork. So, I took the scissors and cut out the designs and made them into barrets. I'm starting fresh again and with some new designs. :)

I'll post pictures of it as soon as I'm done. I'll be so proud of it.

[Selina]

wow, tough! cutting out the beadwork!!!!

really tough!!!

I wish you all the best with your project!
:D