Constructive Criticism Wanted, my Flak Vest*pic intensive*

That looks pretty sweet! The real test is trying one on over a jumpsuit. The only thing that I can see is the cut out in the back. The actual vest did not have such a cut out and having one makes the vest pooch out at the belly. I'm going to have the cut out in my vest patched in so that the vest will have a snugger fit. Here's a pic of the back of the vest where you can see there is no cut out, only slits for the harness.

I can see that point. I will make sure to ask, which is preferred and I can make this depending on the request.

I have done these both ways, with and without the jet pack cut out.

Thanks!!

Having only stayed at a Holiday Inn and not an expert to give input

It seems that the sleeves are to short...or are they suppose to be that short???or cut at that angle???

BTW
I have finally reached the "Spartan" level...300!!!!!

I think for an accurate critique, you would have to GIVE me one of your vests so I could do an intense quality control study. May take years.
No, really, looks fantastic!

It's looking really really good so far. Construction looks solid on the inside. Maybe rocket pack harness strap slots on the back should be a standard feature for Boba, optional for custom mandos.

Originally Posted by butterbean

I think for an accurate critique, you would have to GIVE me one of your vests so I could do an intense quality control study. May take years.
No, really, looks fantastic!

I wish I could give out test samples, darn, but I would fear the consequences.
I did add my name to the Karma list, though.




LOPERO,
I guess we need a really good pic with armor, to test out the sleeves.
Armor size varies too. Andy CGNgamer, will be visiting my area soon and will pick-up his flightsuit, belt pouches, vest and neckseal. I will have him model for me and that may give us a better idea of the size. I am sure he will be happy to give us pics with the armor, when he has attached it.

Thanks for the input!!

Originally Posted by Count Dookie

It's looking really really good so far. Construction looks solid on the inside. Maybe rocket pack harness strap slots on the back should be a standard feature for Boba, optional for custom mandos.

the problem with that would be it lining up the slots with the backplate... every backplate will be different, so the slots would have to be as well.

It looks good, I would agree about the cut out for the Jet Pack (though some do like that option). I think the sleeves might be a bit too long, and I believe (though I could be mistaken) that there shouldn't be a stitch line along the bottom.

When I made mine, I left the back flap side open (where it opens in the back) to allow me to fold the vest right side in, then fold in the side lines where the Velcro goes to close the line, instead of leaving the bottom open. I hope that makes sense.

I am not sure if I understand that folding thing that you do.
??
Do you mean there is no velcro on the back of your vest?
I am not sure if everyone, as a general rule, would like that.

About the sleeves, I have been looking closely at the pics and started to question that. This is hard to put into words.

How long are yours? and how far down do they go towards the armpit?

I look forward to your response!!

Originally Posted by Seven

It looks good, I would agree about the cut out for the Jet Pack (though some do like that option). I think the sleeves might be a bit too long, and I believe (though I could be mistaken) that there shouldn't be a stitch line along the bottom.

When I made mine, I left the back flap side open (where it opens in the back) to allow me to fold the vest right side in, then fold in the side lines where the Velcro goes to close the line, instead of leaving the bottom open. I hope that makes sense.

Originally Posted by LadySewforus

I wish I could give out test samples, darn, but I would fear the consequences.
I did add my name to the Karma list, though.




LOPERO,
I guess we need a really good pic with armor, to test out the sleeves.
Armor size varies too. Andy CGNgamer, will be visiting my area soon and will pick-up his flightsuit, belt pouches, vest and neckseal. I will have him model for me and that may give us a better idea of the size. I am sure he will be happy to give us pics with the armor, when he has attached it.

Thanks for the input!!

I could bring my new FPv3 armour with me Double sided tape could hold the armour in place for a few pictures

See you on Sunday!!

So very lost on part of that, sorry, it just does not click. Is that picture of your vest?

I will try to look at this further later, when not at work.

I will ask questions later, I am sure.

Originally Posted by Seven

I thought I might be too confusing...

I have attached two photos (hopefully they work) that might help.
The shoulder seems just long enough to allow the attachment of the armor (only extends to the first cornor point on the armor)

What I ment about the bottom is shown in the photo. Where you would have to two sides of the vest (front and interior) facing each other (inside out) then stitch around the edges to connect the two, leaving one side open to allow you to fold them right side out. The open side edges would then be folded in and then stiched down to close it. What I did, was that my open side was the side edge of the back closure. This allowed the bottom, neck and shoulders to have no visiable stitch line, since the closure was hidding under the Velcro.

Thanks Andy,
That would be great!!!

Where are we meeting up, at the park, saber class?

Originally Posted by GCNgamer128

I could bring my new FPv3 armour with me Double sided tape could hold the armour in place for a few pictures

See you on Sunday!!

My husband interpreted for me, LOL.

I do sew it as you are explaining here, but I add the extra stitch, the "top stitching" intentionally. I thought I saw top stitching on the actual vest somewhere. I will look for pics again and see what I can come up with


Thanks!!!

Originally Posted by LadySewforus

So very lost on part of that, sorry, it just does not click. Is that picture of your vest?

I will try to look at this further later, when not at work.

I will ask questions later, I am sure.

I have been looking at this for a couple of days now...... the bottom edge is different than what I do.... look at the pic below, I got this from the link that Brak has given us.
The bottom edge is piping,



I, and probably others, did the top stitching here, but it is piping!!

Piping is labor intensive. I wonder how important this is to everyone.


Thoughts from the group would be appreciated!!

Just my 2p... but could it be that the two panels are indeed sewn together and folded back (As Seven suggests) and that the rear panel has dropped due to the inner batting material? I don't see piping?

But wait, there is more....... I noticed this about a week ago too, but did not take a close enough look, piping where the sleeves attach to the vest, not top stitching.



I am trying to find some pic that shows the neck edge on the actual vest....



So now, the big question is, does everyone want me to add this detail, and if so, the price would probably go up. I would have to make the piping myself, out of the tackle twill and attaching takes up quite a bit of time as well.

One more pic, the piping is attached only between the sleeve and the vest, and not all the way around the armhole...






Can anyone find pics of what the neckline looks like???

That is a good shot of the neck and it looks to me like there is NO piping or top-stitching around the neck

I would rather not add piping. Ug! So that is good news, but what about the sleeve, there is a very clear second seam. What would you say that is?

The pic that shows the bottom is Not piping but merely where the inside of the vest has come mis aligned and is showing on the front side....follow the seam line and see where it starts to go back where it needs to be.

Originally Posted by skygunbro

The pic that shows the bottom is Not piping but merely where the inside of the vest has come mis aligned and is showing on the front side....follow the seam line and see where it starts to go back where it needs to be.

This is absolutely correct. There is no top-stitching on the bottom or neckline of the vest. As a matter of fact, the vest is made almost 'inside-out', and can pretty difficult for those of us who aren't professionals.

The sleeves are indeed very short, something that has been pointed out to me time and again. My next vest pattern's sleeves are about an inch shorter than I've done before. This also helps provide better range of motion for the wearer.

Thanks Eric,
Yes you did mention the sleeve length to me earlier, along with Seven, GCNgamer, and I have been studying the pics myself too, for quite a while. I have that crazy, "inside out thing" covered. I have made vests for kids and other costumes, that part was not too bad for me. I only made the top stitching because I thought it was supposed to be there. I do not use that stitch to attach the vest together, it is purely for looks. And, in sewing theory top stitching keeps things from shifting. Just like what seven mentioned about the bottom of the vest, the inside material shifted a little so it is visible on the outside.

I am planning to shorten my sleeves too. I hope that those who have already received my vests will not be upset because I am tweaking and they did not get the "new and improved"!!

I find this a lot of fun, which is kinda scary, the endless pursuit of perfection. It is a challenge!!

Mark and I got together with Andy-GCNGamer and his GF Kristen. It was a nice visit!
Andy helped me tweak my vest pattern. When I have his vest completed, I will post some pics.

Still working with the sleeve angles, and size. I had pics ready to go, but I am still not satisfied with it. I will get pics up soon, and then I look forward to more suggestions.

New and Improved pic added

I am impressed how your vest has turned out. Looks good