First Vest Attempt.

[butterbobbin]

This is not by any means Authentic, but it's a pattern I've had a long time and it's as good a starting place as any.

Pattern:


Fabric:
I cut it out of an old pair of Dockers from the thrift store, lined with Posh lining and muslin layer in between. Plastic boning and silver eyelets (I want to learn to do eyelets by hand, but that will have to be a later project).



This is the muslin/outer fabric that makes the boning casing being pinned together here.


Outside of the vest. I did some topstitching. I just like the way it looks.


Something went amiss with the lacing. I'll have to figure out what I did wrong there. I finished off the bottom with black bias tape.


Back view. It... it even makes me look thin... from the back. (In the front, El Gutto still pokes its ugly head out.)

I realise I didn't get a picture of the inside. I'll have to do that here at some point and get some closer-up shots of some particulars.



I'm pleased with the result and will be happy to wear this for the fun of it.

Next project: I'm going to make an underdress according to this method. My first one will be machine-sewn of muslin, to learn how it all goes together, and then I will make a second one out of linen and sew it by hand to be my Authentic Piece.

But first, I must tend to some clients' work. It feels so good to have finished something, though.

Comments

[nuranar.livejournal.com]

That is really cute and flattering! And flattering-to-modern-eyes or not, the front picture looks excellent; very period. Everything below the waistline Doesn't Count, and a bit of a curve there actually looks nice. ;)

You may consider sizing it down - or I mean, sizing down the next garment you make, especially if it's in linen or wool. You don't have much of a gap in the front already, and linen and wool (linen especially) stretch under pressure. And perhaps shortening the back just a little, because of the slight wrinkle. Absolutely no concern for this pattern, just notes for next time!

Oh, and for the lacing - look at your lace-up shoes. The way I remember it is that one lace always goes up through the eyelet on one side, and down through the eyelet on the other side. For this period, spiral lacing is actually correct; it's done with one long lace, and the eyelets are offset from each other (with extras at the top and bottom to tie off) so the lace just spirals through. Even easier!

Do you have a good linen source? Fabrics-store.com is pretty much awesome, with lots of different weights and colors, apparently a good swatching service, and prices consistently cheaper than anywhere else.

[butterbobbin.livejournal.com]

That's good to know about the linen stretching. This one is a little bigger in the shoulder straps than it really needs to be, and next time I would definitely adjust that, but I'd definitely like more space between the front panels as well. I suspect the back wrinkle might just be taken care of if the shoulder straps were correct... maybe.

I found fabrics-store when hunting for linen for the horse lady who decided I was too expensive, and was very pleased with their speedy swatch service and such. Definitely will be doing business with them. Joann's 100% linen selection is slim and spendy.

[polargriff.livejournal.com]

That is really cute! It is a fantastic first attempt. I love corset-esque vests, and this would definitely be something I would wear. :)

[butterbobbin.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Maybe someday we'll be in the same place at the same time and I can make you one. :-)