/cgl/ - Cosplay & EGL

>>9482710
I got you familia. Did chainmail for a costume a few years ago. Pic related.

I didn't want to pay out of my ass for premade rings as I was a broke as fuck student at the time. In 2 months I managed to finish 2 sleeves (tshirt length) by using fencing wire my dad had in the garage (12 gauge) and coiling them into 1/2" diameter rings. I intended to make an entire shirt for accuracy points but I had to finish the rest of my costume so I didn't bother making the rest (especially since the sleeves were the only visible chainmail).

Learn from my mistakes. You will want to save yourself as much time as possible avoiding any and all prep work so getting premade rings will save you a lot of headaches (and more importantly time). I highly recommend 14 gauge rings. 16 gauge is honestly is more for ornamental purposes and might warp on you having to support the weight of an entire shirt but will be easy to work with. 12 gauge is rock fucking solid and practically battle tier, but be prepared to have VERY sore forearms. In terms of ring size, try staying within 3/8" - 1/2" diameter, adjust according to how tightly knit you want the shirt to be.

An entire shirt will take you quite some time regardless of how many corners you manage to cut so give yourself a generous amount of time. Premade shirts (legit ones, not plastic ones) are fucking expensive last I checked, so I mean if you got more dollars than sense, go for it and save yourself the labor.