GF's GM kamas

[General Fidelis]

I'm starting on my GM kama project. I will have a prototype for you all to critique soon. In the mean time, I'll show you what I'm working with.

I've decided to go with the material in the center of this pic:



Here is another pic that shows its texture a bit better, but it's in rather poor lighting, so the color is distorted.



This material has a lot of flow and movement to it. It's not stiff like vinyl. I mentioned this before, but after watching the GM scene in EIII over and over, I'm convinced the kama is far more flexible than vinyl.




I'll be double layering the kama and it will be professionally sewn and custom fitted. I do this for CT kamas as well. While the GM kama is shaped a bit differently, the same fabrication techniques apply. Here's a look at my CT kamas.

[Deleted]

OOH!! If you are planning on making a few for selling, I am DEFINITELY interested. I like the look of the vinyl material that I have, but it could really be improved.

[General Fidelis]

Yes, sir. I've got 20 yards of material.
I'm gonna' make a prototype this coming weekend. I'll offer a standard GM kama and one with the white or grey-ish trim for those that want it.

[sgtcarida]

Hey vod I might be that much closer to needing one. I'd want it with the trim.

[Deleted]

Me too. I would definitely prefer one with the trim. And I do believe that it is white not grey/gray.

[apollo]

aye, white would make a lot more sense

[General Fidelis]

OK, so are we all in agreement that the trim in definitely white?
If so, then that's what I'll do.

It's all talk at this point (you'll see what I mean when I get the proto done), but IMO, the trim is thinner than I've seen done so far. From the images I've studied, it should be no wider than 1/4". Any thoughts on that?

[irricanian]

What about using a fabric piping? Kind of like this

www.kiefers.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=601

Gives a finished edge

[General Fidelis]

irricanian said:

What about using a fabric piping? Kind of like this

www.kiefers.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=601

Gives a finished edge

Yes, I did consider the piping. It would actually make the kamas easier to make. However, it would also hinder their movement. They wouldn't be able to move and flow like we see in the film.

[apollo]

I think 1/4" would be too thin based on the screen shot posted earlier in the thread. Maybe something closer to 3/4" or 1"

[General Fidelis]

apollo said:

I think 1/4" would be too thin based on the screen shot posted earlier in the thread. Maybe something closer to 3/4" or 1"

You're right. 1/4 is too thin, I think. But, I also think 3/4" or 1" is too wide. I'm thinking more like 1/2". I'll most likely make the prototype with 1/2" wide, white trim. You can check it out and see how it looks once assembled.

[apollo]

sounds good.

[irricanian]

I was only throwing the piping idea out there, I'm sure 1/2" wide is what you would want to do. As far as restricting the flow of the kama I guess a test piece would help determine that. A 1" wide piece of white material folded over on itself and sewn with the kama material in the middle would leave a nice finished edge too. Interested to see what you come up with Fidelis.

[Deleted]

I'm going to go with 1/2" personally. I think the .25" is too thin and the .75-1" would just look ridiculous. I can't wait to see a proto.

[sgtcarida]

1/2" sounds fine. As far as the trim I was looking at it at Jo Ann Fabric. It is already folded over and comes finished. Does anyone else know what I am talking about?