06-02-2010, 12:22 AM
I'm definitely in the textile camp. My experiments with construction are here: link from old RAT.
We almost always see pteruges in layers, which if done with leather (even thin leather) would get fairly bulky at the waistline. With fabric this can be avoided through pleating and you get the layered effect quite nicely. This also achieves the splaying that we see in every figure that isn't standing straight up. Based on those images, I can't see how the pteruges were 'straps'... they must have been connected, and I really have a hard time imagining that done with leather.
As for the braids, that's also quite simple with fabric. As I show in the thread, simply take out the weft threads, tie them into 1/4" groups at the hem, and twist them into braids. If you twist each pair in opposite directions you will get the effect shown in the sculptures. I think it's feasible that this was done on the loom on the originals, though.
--Kelsey
We almost always see pteruges in layers, which if done with leather (even thin leather) would get fairly bulky at the waistline. With fabric this can be avoided through pleating and you get the layered effect quite nicely. This also achieves the splaying that we see in every figure that isn't standing straight up. Based on those images, I can't see how the pteruges were 'straps'... they must have been connected, and I really have a hard time imagining that done with leather.
As for the braids, that's also quite simple with fabric. As I show in the thread, simply take out the weft threads, tie them into 1/4" groups at the hem, and twist them into braids. If you twist each pair in opposite directions you will get the effect shown in the sculptures. I think it's feasible that this was done on the loom on the originals, though.
--Kelsey
Kelsey McLeod
