First attempt at yoroi

[DaleyPaley]

Hi everyone
I am new here, and new to the world of Japanese armour. I've just started knocking up a suit but I really have no idea what I am doing. I'm learning as I go. 
This will be just a display build, I have no interest in wearing it for battle.
I got the old okegawa pattern from the excellent sengokudaimyo and made a stiff card version for testing.



What do you think? Seems a bit on the small side. And perhaps riding a bit too high? I have never worn any armour before so I have nothing to compare it against. I'd appreciate any input.
And my next step (once I get the size right) is to make it out of black thermoplastic. I bought a few sample sheets of various materials for testing, and a heat gun, but before I get into that I'd like to hear any experiences of people who have gone a similar route. What is the best way to fasten it all together? Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Cheers!

[Yamanouchi Eidou]

I'd like to see how the armor meets on the sides, so maybe do side shots again with arms raised? It seems good in back but perhaps a bit short in front. I'd also want to see where it lies in comparison to where you wear your belt.

[DaleyPaley]

Hi Yamanouchi-san
Thanks for your input.
Yes, I should have raised my arms for the photos and tucked my T-shirt in. Doh! Hahah, see my joke there?
Also, I discovered something very important. The patterns are based on US A4 paper size. Since I am not in US, I have international paper size and I was scaling to fit page when printing. I calculate that I have to increase the size 3%. This seems right as my mockup is just a tiny bit too snug.

[DaleyPaley]

Hi there
I'd like some advice. I have a sheet of 3mm polypropylene thermoplastic to use for the armour. I am wondering how to fix the lames together securely. Should I just use glue, or would metal rivets work? If using rivets, how would I go about making them look nice?
Thanks

[magnus]

Daley, just a quick point. Make sure the body armour doesn't go past your hips. Otherwise it will kill your mobility. Metal rivers are fine. Use flat headed ones and counter sink them. Then fill the holes with putty, sand and paint.

[magnus]

Conversely you can use done headed rivers and try and find a decorative washer to use on the front.