Vest/Jumpsuit mock-up. Input appreciated

So, after being here on TDH for going on 3 years now, I decided to finally start work on my Boba. My first post on my costume was originally intended to be pics of my finished bucket, but I got bored and started playing with the soft parts. This is my first mock-up of the vest over a nicely fitted military flightsuit that i will be scavenging for pattern pieces in the near future. I'm looking for shape and silhouette here. I mocked it up out of lightweight muslin and there's only one sleevelet, because in my line of work we traditionally mock-up one side and copy it to the other. I think the jumpsuit shape will work. The vest I'm thinking is right, it just looks weird to me cuz it's not fully fleshed out with the battings and what-not. Shoulda mocked it up with stiffer muslin... Anyway. Whadaya think. Critique me. I need input.

Looks pretty good for a first mock up, muslin is not going to be the most sturdy for the vest. I usually use muslin as a test fabric when creating a pattern. Like a rough draft basically. You might want to try a soft canvas or twill for it. The muslin will likely not support your armor.
Use that vest as your pattern for the next one and make alterations to it to construct the next one. Make sense?
Other wise off to a good start.
Christi

Looks like you're on your way but its much too long. The vest should not reach your waistline... its more like a half-shirt look. Also, the material should have a sheen to it so canvas or twill won't work. It needs to be padded and have a dull shine to it. Also, I couldn't tell from the photos but does it have the ribbed shoulders?

Most fabric that has a sheen to it is a brushed cotton and it is not sturdy enough.
The twill I use has a mild sheen to it.

Originally Posted by crazy4BobaFett

Most fabric that has a sheen to it is a brushed cotton and it is not sturdy enough.
The twill I use has a mild sheen to it.

The fabric that Bobbafettish researched and bought for many of us here in bulk has a sheen to it just like the original. Not sure what type of fabric it is but its dead on.

I believe the fabric has been labeled as "Tackletwill" or something like that...

Ok, when I heard "twill" I was thinking of something much different....

Uh guys, he made it out of muslin because its a mock up. He's not making the actual vest out of that.

Originally Posted by webchief

Chris, when I get home I'll measure the length of my vest for you... its a TK409 special.

Thanks for the clarification on the ribbed shoulders... didn't realize that the details didn't get sewn into mock ups. Makes sense though. I never claimed to be a tailor... just trying to help where I THINK I can.

*EDIT* Changed wording of seamstress to tailor to make Iycis happy.

Yeah.. I realized after I posted that some people might misunderstand what I was showing/asking, but you did give me useful info. I'd appreciate the measurement.

yup! looks good! little higher seam and some padding.

the padding makes all the difference, that really make sit look ... Fett like

keep going there!

Chris,

I just measured my TK409 vest and its 17 inches long. Keep in mind though that it will be different for everyone. I'm 6'2" and it comes to just a little below my naval. Hope that helps!

Yes, that helps a great deal. 17 inches is actually the average nape of neck to waist (natural waist falls around the navel area) measurement for an adult male. It's actually mine as well cuz I guess I'm pretty average.

Thanks webchief.

I'll post more pics when I make some progress.

1st off - i haven't read any of this thread, so i have no idea what's going - i just saw that you were from Richmond - and working on a Fett - and being that I'm 'from' richmond, but living in newport news, and I've done a Jango, and had my own vest made, if you want any help, shoot me a PM and if I can find some time I can see what help i can offer, or spare parts from my jango which is collecting dust...

dude,im using the same exact jumpsuit...do u have any idea what the nylon string is for on the thigh?

Originally Posted by never_risk_the_fett_man

dude,im using the same exact jumpsuit...do u have any idea what the nylon string is for on the thigh?

I was wondering that myself... I pulled it out of the little pocket, and quickly stuffed it back in. I love the shape of the flightsuit tho. I spent last nite cutting it up for a pattern.

And for an update.. Just finished stitching a first full vest. Made a little oopsie that I thought I'd wait till tomorrow to fix, then I'll post pics. I think it may be a little too dark grey. I'm a bit confused over the whole color thing anyway. Everyone seems pretty much in agreement on the ROTJ vest being an off white. I'm not sure what the MOM is made up of. The gauntlets and gun are ROTJ and the vest is definitely a light grey. It looks just a hint lighter than the jumpsuit, which itself is different colored on the short sleeve than the long one.

what material is your vest made of? it looks good..im in the market for one

Originally Posted by crazy4BobaFett

I've been sewing for about 15 years and was just speaking in laymans terms you know what your doing then. The mock up looks great and lucky find on the fabric! I do the same thing when I find something I buy all of it, just like the fabric I found yesterday for the Padme poncho for AOTC battle outfit for my five years old costume I'm working on.
I'd love to see this done and your concept on the finished vest.
Christi

I think that was my problem. I forgot to speak in layman's terms in my first post and it caused a bit of confusion. My mom taught me how to sew when I was like 5 (32 now), so I take for granted that not everyone knows what I'm talking about.

I think you might've misunderstood about the fabric, I got all six yards for $1.48 (I actually found the tag on it when I was cutting yesterday and it was 1.48, not 99 cents), not 1.48 a yard. Always look for the fabric bins when you go thrift store shopping. They sell by the lot, and it's usually less than you pay for the same fabric by the yard at the fabric store. So yeah.. Very lucky find.

K.. So here's the trial run on the vest. Ignore the pooch in the back, I haven't added a zipper yet, it's just pinned. I think it may be a little short now. What do you think? Other than that, fits good, looks good eh? I'm currently rethinking the fabric. Found what I believe to be the right stuff today. Have some experimenting to do to get the color I want. I researched based on screencaps and MOM pics. The fabric had quite a sheen to it, but still has a standard weave, not a twill weave like what has become pretty common around here with the tackletwill. I believe the correct fabric to be chintz. A fabric commonly used on sofa pillows.Anyway, here's pics:

Chris... lookin' good. Might be a tad bit too short...

Originally Posted by never_risk_the_fett_man

dude,im using the same exact jumpsuit...do u have any idea what the nylon string is for on the thigh?

That string is so you can tie your parachute knife to your suit. That way if you are in the risers and have to cut away some lines, you don't run the risk of dropping your knife from altitude. Since I don't have parachutes on my helicopter, I removed my strings and stuffed my benchmade in the pocket. That string is useful in your personal survival kit though. I tied a green chemlight to mine so I can make a spinning "buzzsaw" if I need to. Okay, a lot of that was irrelevent.

Originally Posted by webchief

Chris... lookin' good. Might be a tad bit too short...

Thanks. Yeah. I have a bad habit of forgetting certain details, like the fact that the padding will make the vest lose about an inch in length and width. Oops.. No matter. I have it down now, and it only took about 2 hours to make...

Excellent job!! I like the fit. I always felt that it should have a trimmed tailored look and with the extra length it will look prefect. Looking forward to seeing more pics. Keep up the fantastic work.

Since you're a pro, do you know of anywhere that I could find a set of slopers for a 6 foot male? I was going to resort to using the McCall's civil war officer's uniform as a starting point, but it would be nice to have a basic set.

Alan

Originally Posted by wizardofflight

Excellent job!! I like the fit. I always felt that it should have a trimmed tailored look and with the extra length it will look prefect. Looking forward to seeing more pics. Keep up the fantastic work.

Since you're a pro, do you know of anywhere that I could find a set of slopers for a 6 foot male? I was going to resort to using the McCall's civil war officer's uniform as a starting point, but it would be nice to have a basic set.

Alan

Yeah, I noticed from all the pics that the screen vest is very fitted. Soon as I get hold of some fabrics (which is looking to take longer than I wanted). I'll get some more pics up with the corrected length.

As for the slopers, you basically have to make them yourself.. That's actually what I made my vest from. Later this evening I will see about scanning the directions into my computer.

So, I was sure the fabric was a standard weave. A chintz perhaps. I'm so wrong. It's a twill after all. I was looking at swatches and comparing them to the MoM pics, and am now convinced that everyone else was right. It does appear to be a twill. The way the light reflected on it confused me a bit.. Oh well. At least I admit my mistakes... Mistakes a professional costumer/draper shouldn't make...

Now I must find another source..

The search continues.

Dude, I think if you add that length you have it!

Chris, I have been searching as well. If I find anything in the area I will let you know and see about getting you some up to you, 90 minute short ride.

looks on the money to me!

Darren, ever checked out that fabric store next door to Bill's Flea Market? I've never been in there but have been meaning to.