laces,straps, and backings List-pics and snap tutorial

Well... I would be

Save me from having to buy the 2-3 oz leather... and then wondering what the heck to do with the rest of it!

Let's see ZIA... that would get you 1100 eyelets if you want to trade!

Yeah, I have to have at least 5 people sign up for it to be worth it for me to do. Cause I have like a mass of snaps, leather, dyeing stuff,lexol, tools, but to do each individually would be a time wasteful on my part. Cause dyes, need to be mixed, remixed for each color, cutting all at once is better than one at a time etc.

Well for those who are considering it I would love to point out that I allready have the straps undyed from Zam I Am in my possession. These are good quality items and you will pay about double what she is asking just to get predyed stuff that will not match right at all. Unlike myself she is offering to dye for those who buy them from her. I got mine undyed a while back as I plan to dye my stuff on my own.

Not looking good for me is it?

Have faith sis- there are people thinking about it, and want me to post pics of what I mean.

*sighs*

I do have faith... but I've also got bad karma!

*keeps fingers crossed*

The reason why I am offering these is because it would be cheaper for me to do a mass quantity, and, everyone would also save money because they wouldn't have to buy the one-time use type of tools for this costume. For examples, line 20 and line 24 snap setters, daubers, blue dye. Packs of extra snaps you won't need. And, these leather tools, you have to have in order to make these: lace cutter, leather shears, leather hole puncher, x-acto knive, lexol, dyes. Not to mention, I would save everyone time and money too, looking for all these objects: Dark (almost black) gun metal snaps, buckle for the leg greeb, 2 different oz leathers, dyes, tools, etc.

Sure, why not. Add Cutest Sandgirl to the list.

This is why I think all the backings are brown leather. And I also think they employed a really really awesome leather worker for this costume. Gobs of glueing and leatherwork all over this costume. Very smart ideas and improvising with the leather too. I am guessing about some of the ways they used the laces, but my guess is they knotted all the leather laces on the greeblies to a belt to keep them from shifting forward and smooshing the cumberbun *and/or* they put a whole separate backing on the cumberbun altogether to keep it from smooshing and that is why we all see this white line on the bottom of the cumberbun. From infamouse zoomed in upshot #DSC04309.

Since most of you can't install the back snap on the neoprene of the pants, I will do two things. I will send a snap already assembled onto a piece of lycra (same pantone as the neoprene) and then, you can just sew the lycra to your pants. I will also send an extra snap incase, you want to install the snap yourself. Zam I Ain't and I will try testing a philip's screw driver on a line 24 snap to install, but I have my doubts it will work. If it does work, then you all could install that one yourselves to the neoprene, instead of sewing the lycra patch and won't need to buy the line 24 snap setter.

Here is how to glue the backings:


Maulmaus, hopes this answers your questions

Zam I Am wrote:
Maulmaus, hopes this answers your questions

But I have sooooooooo many questions....

Seriously... yes it does. I specifically wondered about the glue you used - I didn't think Elmer's was going to cut it!

[img]images/smiles//icon6.gif[/img] Last call for those interested! I will be working on them this weekend! Today is 11/6/03 You don't have to pay until I am done But, since this is comming outta my pocket first, PLEASE only sign up if you know you are willing to pay up when things are done. And, the list will close by Friday night 11/7/03! I am going to the stores this saturday only, to get all the rest of the supplies I need for those on the list. So, last call. More pics of what you will recieve. All the backings though, will be 2-3 oz leather dyed brown, instead of the raw undyed color. And the laces will have like a light purp and brownish look much like the pics. The leg greeb strap/belt will be fully assembled with the belt loops and holes punched as seen. If those on the list want to pm me the circumference of their upper thigh, that will also help me do the leg belts.

Zam I Am wrote:
If those on the list want to pm me the circumference of their upper thigh, that will also help me do the leg belts.

....

There are some things even I don't want to know!


Erm... how about if you make it really big and have lots of holes in it! :p

Whaaat...?? It's only measurement #24 thigh on the measurements list... what gives? it aint that baaad. See, i know i have poundage, but i am not thaaat self conscious about it. Hey, it's not like i am a refigerator repair woman! :p I will make them about my thigh size if people don't indicate, but I didn't want people to complain if it's not fitting exactly.. and then, if it's too big -them having to cut off the strap end with an open edge without dye. My left thigh size is 21 inches around. So, the leg strap will be longer of course, but the holes will start at around 20 inches, then go up by 1 cm increments- between 8 or 12 holes is my guess. Then the end will taper into a > shape.

Just teasing you ZIA...

I just went to the store earlier today and tried on some jeans... and needless to say it was a harrowing experience. Thigh size being the main problem ... and then I come here for a little R&R and you're asking me for thigh-size measurements!

It's simply too much on the same day...

Hey all, sorry I have been so busy, I won't be able to make them this year. Late January, I should be able to get it done.

No prob. Zam is a pretty slow-moving project here anyway, and it gives us a chance to recover monetarily after getting the helmet so close to Christmas anyway.

Yep... Zam is a slow mover isn't she? No problemo here either!

See, DCB is the magic elf during Christmas time. He has elvin magic. To tell yall the truth, Zam I Ain't just got me a sewing machine for Christmas woohoo! So, the "projects" I have in mind to do, are going to be a slow process due to learning rate. This new machine is going to make me fanatically absorbed in how it works for awhile.

I already cut most of all the laces. I haven't cut the all the straps. I have all the leg belt buckles, snaps and tools, but haven't dyed anything yet or cut out the backings. I cut half of the leg straps on the list. That's where I am at so far... See? I have done some things. Hey-- ya'll owe me pics of your painted greebs in the greeb thread. Talk about me being slow! :p

I finally got to cutting some more lace today. Sorry so slow, I had a major debaucle with some people I know, and have been emotionally distressed.

I have to let you all know that the vest laces have been giving me the most problem. Since the seamstress told me that the back pattern needed to be shortened in width by about 5 inches, some of the laces for the vest have to be made longer, so I have had to re-cut them. You should have just the right length amount of lace for everything listed.

It's also amazing how one mm can throw off everything that's related to it on this costume.

Just finished cutting all the laces and straps, and leg belts haven't gotten to the backings, punching holes, inserting snaps,buckles, dyeing or glueing yet. Sigh, this is a lot harder than doing the lace for the skirt! At least the skirt, you don't have to measure things or cut with scissors as much. Cutting with scissors hurts your hands after awhile.

Thanks for the update ZIA! I appreciate all your work on this too!

Oh... and congrats on the new sewing machine! Hope ya have fun with it!

Yeah! I just finished cutting all the backings for the 3 greebs today. I only have this weekend to really work on any Zam stuff. My next two weekends are booked. Hopefully, I can cut the slits to the backings tomorrow and start the dyeing/getting the dye tests right too. Then they will need to dry. Mebbe I could fit an 10 minutes here or there to get the holes punched and snaps in, we'll see. Zam I Ain't is furiously working on some stuff too

Ahh... the busy life of a Zammer..

Thanks for the update... no worries here!

Just to show yall, I haven't been a total slacker

I just finished the slits in the backings today.

Man, it took me all weekend to just do the dye matching and lexol application. I have yet to seal everything and then, comes the fun part, hacking away at snaps. People say it's a stress reliever... LOL I will be glad when it's done, I only have time on the weekends to do anything now. My real life has gotten really obnoxious.

oops, I didn't get a shot of the football greeb strap dye matched to a real pic. Mebbe later.

Zam I Am = Slacker! Yep.. first thing I come up with! *just kidding!* Actually, I think I fit more into that category...

That all looks terrific ZamIAm... Really it does! Can't wait to see it in person!

Ok, I put snaps into the top part of the football greeb straps, and into the leg backings, and I assembled the armgreeb straps. Now all I have to do is insert the bottom snaps of the football greebs straps, and glue the buckle and loops onto the leg belt. Everything has been dyed and sealed. Sorry I don't have pics yet. Will do when finished.

Very cool! Can't wait to see those pics!

HERE IT IS! Oh, there is one last thing that I haven't done yet, and that is- install snaps on some extra lycra so that you can sew it to your costume, if you don't have a snap setter and hole puncher. I had to hyperlink the image, due to image restrictions, and because my comp is still outta shape.. My image sizer doesn't work. Doh! I left out the vest flap laces - it WILL be included though. But voila!
http://zamiam.home.comcast.net/backingskit.JPG

Enjoy the view! I will let you guys know via email when I am ready to ship. Three of you haven't emailed me yet, so that I can update my outlook address book (since it got wiped out). Here's my addy: zamiam@comcast.net

Ok, so snaps wont work on lycra alone, so I created a page so that you don't have to go out to the store just to buy one snap setter tool, just to install one snap. It does work on neoprene, but I don't have extra of that to give out. I thought mebbe I would snap set it for you, and you could hand sew the lycra to the suit, but lycra stretches too much. So, I will send everyone on the list 3 sets of snaps and some test lycra instead to try it on.
Here's the page. http://zamiam.home.comcast.net/SnapTute.html

People on the list, please email me your addresses again thanks! zamiam@comcast.net

Hey that's a "Snappy" little tutorial you've got there! Very nice!

Looking forward to seeing the goods soon!

Just received my "very early" Christmas present yesterday in the mail!

The laces and backings and other goodies are just fantastic Zam I Am! Excellent, excellent work!

Now... to have something to put them all on!

Glad ya like! All those straps have been sealed with resolene, and softened the laces with lexol.

Those who haven't paid yet and are on the seamstress list, if you want me to combine the shipping, that's cool. But please email me about the differences in cost.