Ask an Artist: How do you approach making maille clothing?

Our customer service gal, Aimee recently came to us with a great suggestion for the next post in our “Ask an Artist” series.  She mentioned that she often has conversations with customers who want to create clothing pieces out of maille but really aren’t sure where to begin.  Taking one look at some of the incredible work by B3 Ambassadors Omni Mee and Kat Wisniewski and we didn’t have to think twice about who to pose your questions to on this subject.

Omni Mee | B3 Ambassador & Designer

The first chainmaille project I did was shirt I made for myself, although it was more in the spirit of armor than clothing.  From that project I did learn a lot of things about chainmaille, what tools and materials to use, and that home depot is not the best place in the world for chainmaille supplies.  But the thing I learned the most is that I love making chainmaille.

It was not until I went to my first Bead&Button Show that I was inspired to make “Bronze and Blue”, my first entry for Bead Dreams.  I was thrilled when “Bronze and Blue” took second place in Wirework category for Bead Dreams 2011, but not as thrilled as when “Violet Vestment” won in Wirework category for Bead Dreams 2012!

I like to think that every time I make something, I learn something new –  from the smallest project to large projects like clothing.   With “Bronze and Blue” I learned that good planning and clear design makes construction a lot easier, and with “Violet Vestment” I learned some nifty tricks on how to keep items symmetrical.

Kat Wisniewski | B3 Ambassador & Designer

I decided to make a rubber chainmaille bikini, when I wanted to be a contributor for a goth magazine published by Gothic Art Chicago.  I had never made any clothing item, so I decided to step up to the challenge and make the bikini to be worn by models and published- in just a few short months.

After it was featured in the publication, the “Subtle Bruise rubber chainmaille bikini” became a finalist in the wirework category at the 2011 Bead Dreams competition.  Since then, I have made a large belt, a diagonal harness multi-stand necklace body piece, and a capelet and mask set.  I’m currently working on creating chainmaille body harnesses and clothing accessories to be used as costumes for a new work created in part through Audible Odyssey, an organization that supports tap dance here in Chicago.

We’ll be accepting questions starting today and ending Friday, July 20th.  Your questions will be passed along to Omni and Kat and their responses will be posted right here on our blog in early August.  You can submit your questions to us by posting them in the comments below, writing them on our wall on Facebook or emailing them to us at [email protected].  We can’t wait to see what you have to ask (and to hear their advice on the subject!)