Making a harness

Hello Everyone!

I’m looking to make a harness for myself for attending fetish events. I’ve had very little luck purchasing them online as I’m quite a heavyset fella, and I was wondering if anyone had made one for themselves, and what advice they might have?

Specifically I’m looking for advice on a few areas:

1) Material. I understand leather is the most common, but has anyone had any luck making a harness out of other materials (rope, canvas strap etc)
2) is there a general way to measure your own body to make sure it fits?
3) do you have any favourite designs/ patterns/ shapes?
4) any general tips?