Roman Soldiers Outfit



MATERIALS

Tunic:
White pillow case or a plain large / adult T shirt.

Breastplate:
Silver material, radiator reflective foil (available from DIY stores is excellent for this) or wallpaper with a metallic finish. Alternatively thin card covered in aluminium foil.

Belt-Arm/Leg Cuffs:
Dark red leatherette/textured wallpaper/vinyl fabric
Paper fasteners
Masking tape
Silver tape (available at DIY stores as ducting tape)
Thin cardboard
2 Paper plates
Elastic

Equipment:
Scissors
Hole punch
Stapler
Glue

INSTRUCTIONS

Tunic
Cut a head hole and armholes as indicated in the pillowcase.

 

Breastplate
Cut pieces from silver material as shown
Fasten shoulder straps approx. 2cm apart at centre back using paper fasteners, try the breastplate on and fasten straps at front in same way where appropriate.
Secure centre overlap with more fasteners (these are easy to remove and replace).


Belt
Using the red material cut a 6cm wide strip the size of the waist adding a 12cm overlap.
Cut required number of flaps to fit the belt waist length, these should be from waist to above knee high in length.
Insert paper fasteners along these strips and secure strips to waistband with fasteners. Place a strip of tape along the wrong sides to prevent any scratching.

Arm and Leg Cuffs
From the red material cut 2 pieces to fit around arms and legs as illustrated. Secure in place with fasteners.

Helmet


Using the template cut 2 from the silver, remember to turn the template over for the second side to get a left and right side. Cut 2 plumes from the red material, again a left and right hand side. Glue these together and when dry cut the fringe on the outside curve.
Hint : when stapling the helmet together make sure the smooth side of the staples is to the skin and cover with tape for extra safety.


Place red plume between the helmet sides and staple in place, use silver tape where stapler will not reach and for added security.

Make a simple hat base as shown using strips of thin card. Place the first strip around the head to fit, remove and staple together.
Replace and fit cross over strips in same way.

Staple the plates together for about half way round. Thread the elastic through holes.

Fit plates inside to support top of helmet, any edges of the plate that stick out can be trimmed away later when it has been secured to base.

Place over the head with base already being worn . Make sure the centre of balance is correct so that it does not fall too far forwards or backwards. Secure in place at strongest points of contact between base and helmet using staples and silver tape. Adjust elastic as required.



Medieval Costume


This is a very simple outfit to put together using things that can be found around the house. Peasant costumes should be of rough fabrics with few trimmings while richer garments are of better fabrics; velvet/wool etc with trimmings of braids and fur.

MATERIALS

Tunic:
Plain adult or large T shirt

Leggings:
Baggy plain trousers or adults leggings
Decorators cloth
Strips of fabric/cord/braid/string for binding

Cloak:
Old curtains/sheeting/sacking.
Braid/cord/ribbon for fastenings.
Old brooches /clasps or any badges covered and decorated.
Felt or adhesive plastic for decorative crest.

Hat:
Pipe lagging.
Strips of fabric for winding and cutting decorations from.

Shoe Covers:
Vinyl fabric/leatherette
Elastic
Pair of shoe laces

Belt:
Old leather belt /fabric strips
Buckles or make these from covered card

Equipment:
Scissors
Hole punch

INSTRUCTIONS

Tunic
Cut off neck-edge for rougher finish, length should be about mid thigh.

Leggings
Criss cross lengths of fabric/braid or string around the
legs to gather in the fullness of the fabric between the
knees and ankles secure in place.


Cloak
Cut a rectangle of fabric the length between neck and mid calf and twice the width of the shoulders. Cut out the design for the back of the cloak and stick /glue or sew in place.Gather up the top edge of the cloak by stapling /glueing or sewing and attach ties to top corners, fix the brooches or badges over these as clasps. Decorate the edges with braid or fur.

Hat
Measure the pipe lag to fit around the head and fasten ends together securely with strong sticky tape. Using strips of fabric about 5cm wide bind the pipe evenly and secure ends. Cut tails and decoration as shown.