Stuff we like: Hematees
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If you ever come to practice, you will notice 9 times out of 10 I will have a HEMA related T-shirt on. This is thanks to Martin at Hematees, in the main, so I asked him a few questions…
Tell people a little about yourself
My Name is Martin Sanders, I’ve been a freelance illustrator and designer for 30 odd years. (Yup I’m past my peak with a sword) I’m also an instructor with Taunton Longswords HEMA and a member of a group providing demonstrations of medieval combat techniques in Welsh castles, where we also get to operate the Siege engines.
I set up Hematees with the aim of providing high quality t-shirt designs fro the HEMA community. I started out with a few t-shirts which were well received and spurned requests for others so the numbers of designs keep growing. A few months in, people started asking for Rashguards and leggings which took me into a whole different area of creative possibilities.
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What is your favourite design?
My current favourite t-shirt is the Scheitelhau. I’ve been working my way through t-shirts of the master cuts and the Scheitelhau design (my least favourite master cut) was causing me problems until one afternoon it just came together in a matter of minutes. I’m always blown away by the vibrant print quality of the Rashguards in the flesh. Rashguards and leggings are printed, then cut out and sewn to order, I don’t wear them myself, but I’ve had great reviews from people who do.
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Can people request their own designs?
I’m always willing to add requests to my list. I’m happy to design club logos, t-shirts and rashguards, I am currently working on designs for a couple of groups. My only stipulation is for an initial order of 10.
Do you just sell clothing?
Funny you should ask. After a couple of years of research and combat testing, a friend and I have just started producing shields using traditional materials; poplar wood, covered in linen with hand made metal and leather work. They are remarkably lightweight and ridiculously tough. Available with a white gesso covering, or for an extra cost, I turn away from my Mac for a couple of days and pick up a paintbrush.
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Where can people buy your items?
Aha you ask all the right questions…….hematees.co.uk for t-shirts and rashguards. You can find the shields on Facebook, search for BARKVARK If anyone wants to contact me directly, martin@tigermothdog.co.uk.
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