Some masks I made...

[Skulptor]

Recently finished them, just began learning some leather-craft and not certain these qualify as Steampunk but think it a decent starting point...

By all means feel free to offer criticism! If you hate them, fine...just tell me why since Im trying to improve...

Rabbit #1


Plauge Doctor #1 (Modeled after Tom Banwells "Ronin")

Respirator #3 (Modeled after Tom Banwells "Ronin")

[Maets]

Nice leather work.

[Vox Cerae]

That plague doctor mask is beautiful! Far more beautiful than any of my supposed leatherwork.
I think your rabbit design is interesting, but a little.. plain? Don't get insulted, it's still magnificently made. The ears and strap look excellent, while the face is a little lackluster. Regardless, keep it up! I cannot make any of these with such high quality.

[Herbert West]

Nicely done! Leatherworking is the one craft I've yet to get the hang of.

[Skulptor]

Nice leather work.

Thanks! Im finding it to be a useful skill....

[Skulptor]

That plague doctor mask is beautiful! Far more beautiful than any of my supposed leatherwork.
I think your rabbit design is interesting, but a little.. plain? Don't get insulted, it's still magnificently made. The ears and strap look excellent, while the face is a little lackluster. Regardless, keep it up! I cannot make any of these with such high quality.

Insulted? Haha! Insulting me is an unbelievably difficult thing to do....

Thanks very much for your observations, and compliments...I agree about the rabbit. Originally I was going to attach goggle forms to the eyes (hence the round eye holes) and found I didnt plan correctly. Ah well...next time..This is exactly why I value honest criticism....my thanks!!

Oh Im sure with practice and patience (I lack both..haha!) you would do well with leather...I started 'bout 6 months ago...give it a shot!

[Skulptor]

Nicely done! Leatherworking is the one craft I've yet to get the hang of.

Thank you! I really had no idea how versatile sewing, leather-working, really is! Keep at it...

[Jupiter Harsh]

Very nice! 

do you have any tips for making the respirator? i have a pattern for an almost identical one, but haven't got round to making one yet...

thanks,
          JH

[Skulptor]

Very nice! 

do you have any tips for making the respirator? i have a pattern for an almost identical one, but haven't got round to making one yet...

thanks,
          JH

Thank you!
Indeed I do have a few tips...'mostly because I made several mistakes along the way (hence "Respirator #3... #1 and #2 were total pathetic failures...:-))

First I made templates out of oak tag (manilla folders) and traced those onto the leather (7-8 oz tooling, a cheap shoulder cut is fine)
Of course the right tools were most helpful:
Overstitch wheel to evenly mark where the holes go: https://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/search/searchresults/8091-00.aspx
A good punch awl
I used a great sewing awl (and black wax thread) (and some youtube videos on its proper use): https://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/search/searchresults/1216-00.aspx

For punching the holes I found a leather clamp I made very useful (just some 1x4 pine planks with leather squares glued to the tops and a C clamp to pinch the boards together. The piece I was putting holes in was between the leather glued to the boards with hole marks just poking out. I made the holes that were exposed then undid the clamp and exposed more marks.

Please do feel free to ask me any questions at all! Certainly hope this makes sense...good luck!!!

[VampirateMace]

These are nice, I think I like the plague doctor mask best.
Out of context the respirator looks awkward, but I can see it's well made from the picture, and probably looks great with the right costume.

[Uncle Arthur]

Super work. Context for the respirator is tough for me too. Just looking at it lying there a leather athletic cup comes to mind.

[Herbert West]

The respirator might work better as a bandit or air pirate mask to be honest. Perhaps replacing the side panels with some sort of screen material might look better.

 And y'know, looking at the rabbit mask, I can't help thinking of some of the insane revelers from the Bioshock games.

[Wirecase]

Indeed Great work! The first two do remind me of the Bioschock games as Herbert West says, superb!

[Arvis]

I was almost the first to respond to this thread but as I was typing away I was called out to do some chores and ended up falling to the wayside. The first two masks I like very much albeit their being somewhat plain. They remind me of the Jim Henson movie Labyrinth.(the ballroom scene)

 I could also see the "rabbit" being used as a prop in a passion playesque version of Alice in Wonderland for the March Hare.

 As for the last mask, Uncle Arthur beat me to it. Though I have been known to strap the occasional brassiere to my head, I'd be hard pressed to stick my face into what "at a glance" appeared to be a jockstrap.

 Perhaps a corrugated hose coming from the middle of it (or even from one side or the other or even both!)and stitching a "forehead" with round flat lenses. It would start looking like a relic from "The Great War". This starts wandering in the direction of Dieselpunk but I don't see that as a bad thing.

 Over all excellent work!

 Arvis   

[VampirateMace]

Super work. Context for the respirator is tough for me too. Just looking at it lying there a leather athletic cup comes to mind.

Yeah... I was trying to not actually say it.

[Skulptor]

These are nice, I think I like the plague doctor mask best.
Out of context the respirator looks awkward, but I can see it's well made from the picture, and probably looks great with the right costume.

Well put! Yes I see your point...think I'll get a few foam heads for the next round...Thanks for the input!!!!

[Skulptor]

Super work. Context for the respirator is tough for me too. Just looking at it lying there a leather athletic cup comes to mind.

Hahahahahaha! Oh man I hadnt even thought of that till you said it! Now I cant get it out of my head...hahahahaha! Thanks very much for pointing that out...back to the drawing board...

[Skulptor]

The respirator might work better as a bandit or air pirate mask to be honest. Perhaps replacing the side panels with some sort of screen material might look better.

 And y'know, looking at the rabbit mask, I can't help thinking of some of the insane revelers from the Bioshock games.

Fantastic suggestions! Thanks very much for the feedback....

I hate to admit it but I had to google "Bioshock"...veeeery cool imagery!!!

[Skulptor]

Indeed Great work! The first two do remind me of the Bioschock games as Herbert West says, superb!

Thanks very much!

[Skulptor]

I was almost the first to respond to this thread but as I was typing away I was called out to do some chores and ended up falling to the wayside. The first two masks I like very much albeit their being somewhat plain. They remind me of the Jim Henson movie Labyrinth.(the ballroom scene)

 I could also see the "rabbit" being used as a prop in a passion playesque version of Alice in Wonderland for the March Hare.

 As for the last mask, Uncle Arthur beat me to it. Though I have been known to strap the occasional brassiere to my head, I'd be hard pressed to stick my face into what "at a glance" appeared to be a jockstrap.

 Perhaps a corrugated hose coming from the middle of it (or even from one side or the other or even both!)and stitching a "forehead" with round flat lenses. It would start looking like a relic from "The Great War". This starts wandering in the direction of Dieselpunk but I don't see that as a bad thing.

 Over all excellent work!

 Arvis   

Yes indeed...a bit plain. Wanted to mostly get technique but very plain the more I look at others amazing work on this forum.

YES! You nailed it! The rabbit mask was for a photoshoot with the idea of the March Hare...I had a nice teacup and all....and for the first time ever, the model was a no-show (today...dammit)

Hahahahahahahahahaha! Absolutely cracks me up that a jockstrap is what is seen (though a bit rough on the groin I'd imagine). I completely see that now...hahaha...gross. The great suggestions of different materials, elements are fantastic! Cant thank you gentlemen enough for the input...!!!!!

[Skulptor]

Super work. Context for the respirator is tough for me too. Just looking at it lying there a leather athletic cup comes to mind.

Yeah... I was trying to not actually say it.

By all means say it! Im rather thick skinned and wont go home crying...your help, observations are most helpful!

[Jupiter Harsh]

Very nice! 

do you have any tips for making the respirator? i have a pattern for an almost identical one, but haven't got round to making one yet...

thanks,
          JH

Thank you!
Indeed I do have a few tips...'mostly because I made several mistakes along the way (hence "Respirator #3... #1 and #2 were total pathetic failures...:-))

First I made templates out of oak tag (manilla folders) and traced those onto the leather (7-8 oz tooling, a cheap shoulder cut is fine)
Of course the right tools were most helpful:
Overstitch wheel to evenly mark where the holes go: https://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/search/searchresults/8091-00.aspx
A good punch awl
I used a great sewing awl (and black wax thread) (and some youtube videos on its proper use): https://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/search/searchresults/1216-00.aspx

For punching the holes I found a leather clamp I made very useful (just some 1x4 pine planks with leather squares glued to the tops and a C clamp to pinch the boards together. The piece I was putting holes in was between the leather glued to the boards with hole marks just poking out. I made the holes that were exposed then undid the clamp and exposed more marks.

Please do feel free to ask me any questions at all! Certainly hope this makes sense...good luck!!!

Thanks, I might actually get 'round to making it now 

[selectedgrub]

Respirator one is sweet.

[Skulptor]

Very nice! 

do you have any tips for making the respirator? i have a pattern for an almost identical one, but haven't got round to making one yet...

thanks,
          JH

Thank you!
Indeed I do have a few tips...'mostly because I made several mistakes along the way (hence "Respirator #3... #1 and #2 were total pathetic failures...:-))

First I made templates out of oak tag (manilla folders) and traced those onto the leather (7-8 oz tooling, a cheap shoulder cut is fine)
Of course the right tools were most helpful:
Overstitch wheel to evenly mark where the holes go: https://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/search/searchresults/8091-00.aspx
A good punch awl
I used a great sewing awl (and black wax thread) (and some youtube videos on its proper use): https://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/search/searchresults/1216-00.aspx

For punching the holes I found a leather clamp I made very useful (just some 1x4 pine planks with leather squares glued to the tops and a C clamp to pinch the boards together. The piece I was putting holes in was between the leather glued to the boards with hole marks just poking out. I made the holes that were exposed then undid the clamp and exposed more marks.

Please do feel free to ask me any questions at all! Certainly hope this makes sense...good luck!!!

Thanks, I might actually get 'round to making it now 

You absolutelly should!!!

[Skulptor]

Respirator one is sweet.

Thanks man!