Hello All,
I just need to add a shameless plug for my hubby. I wanted everyone to have a bit of background.
I purchased another 40 yards of tackle twill about 4 months ago or so. The material that is considered "screen accurate" by the masses here. I say considered, because I have never personally handled the actual costume. This material looks as close as I could ever think possible, and that what the veteran TDHer's say too.
I got too busy to keep up with all the orders. I already handed the flightsuits to Carole. I do sew them on very rare occasions, but I did hand them over to Carole/Arkady, so I could work on other costumes that have been requested. Because I already purchased the tackle twill, I started training Mark, DC, to sew these.
You can ask him. I am very nit picky and have trained him well to make these exactly as I do. He has made at least 20 of these now. I have lost track. Mark is using my material, my velcro, thread, my sewing machines, my patterns etc.
I never wanted to post runs that were called "LSFU" vests, and have Mark sew these. Both Mark and I would not feel good about that at all. It does not seem ethical to us.
And, Mark wanted to start making these as Budget Fett vests, because we love TDH and know how bad the economy is. We do want to contribute as we can to this awesome group of people.
So, Mark began sewing and selling these at $50 shipped in the US. The neckseal, if ordered with the vest is $20. So $70 total, shipped in the US. Shipping to Canada is $21 extra. Shipping other areas is on a case by case basis.
I was selling these vests for $75 plus shipping. I started out selling the neckseal at $45.00 plus shipping. That was the going rate at the time. I lowered this and have been selling them for $25 plus shipping.
So, when I was making LSFU vests and neckseals, the total was $100 plus shipping costs.
I would never say that my vests, or now, Mark's vest are the most perfectly sewn costume items in the universe. THAT IS JUST NOT WHAT EITHER OF US THINK.
But, due to the amount of vests I have sewn over the years, and the feedback that I have received. I can say that my vests, and now Mark's vests are more than adequate to make a very nice Boba Fett costume.
I look at every vest that ships out of this "workshop". In essence, I am QC now.
If you need a vest, please do take a look. I can honestly say that you can't go wrong, with the quality, materials, and price of these vests and neckseals.
* big smile *
:cheers