Softening a gambeson

[seesinsilhouette]

Any suggestions on how to soften up a new gambeson ( aside from wearing it constantly!). Been trying to find articles on softening canvas and thick linen but most techniques involve tumble dryers and I don't know if it would help the dryer or the gambeson if I tried that! I've wet it and I'm hoping that'll loosen up some of the fibres a little but any advice is most welcome!

Cheers

[wulfenganck]

But doesn't softening contradicts the purpose of a gambeson? The idea is to absorb the th impact of a strike etc. From all the sources I read, this seemed to achieved by the use ofe layers of fabric or filling/stuffing whatever. BUt it always resulted in something strongly resistent, nothing alike a foam'ish structure.

[Nigel]

you got it wear it LOTS

[Alice the Huswyf]

Loosely piling it on the floor and trampling it in socked feet, re-piling and trampling some more in between wearing it to do bendy-lifty jobs. Rather like treading washing out in the bath - but dry - and in front of the TV of an evening). Wear clean-soled slippers if it has buckles and tape the buckle tangs closed to the buckle bar so it doesn't pierce your feet or the cloth.

[seesinsilhouette]

Thanks for the replys.

@ wulfenganck: it's a very densly layered item and Definately not foamy or spongy. It's more to speed up the process of softening the resistance of the" bend points" eg elbows and shoulders etc, so it doesnt have the appearence of bent cardboard! It was made to measure so fits well and is nicely waisted. I bought it for the events I didn't want to spend in full harness and in all honesty won't see that many outings in comparison to my arming doublet, hence wanting to speed up the " wearing in" process a little

@ Alice: thanks, I will try that method. It's point tied so no fear of foot puncture!

[narvek]

Hammer it where you need it soft.

[chrisanson]

Loosely piling it on the floor and trampling it in socked feet, re-piling and trampling some more in between wearing it to do bendy-lifty jobs. Rather like treading washing out in the bath - but dry - and in front of the TV of an evening). Wear clean-soled slippers if it has buckles and tape the buckle tangs closed to the buckle bar so it doesn't pierce your feet or the cloth.

give it to the kids to play with?