Wow, guys, I can't believe this thread slipped past my eyes, but I am here now.
First thing's first, the shoulders should be a bit higher than the one you are wearing in the first pic. As Lynn mentioned, the shoulder area really needs to go over the rotar cuff area, not over the edge of the shoulder like a T-shirt does. If so, the shoulder bell will sit too low to line up with the top of the chest armor.
Secondly, everyone who ordered vest fabric from me should have it by Monday or Tuesday, Wednesday at the absolute latest with the exception of Loranar_Fett (Canada) and Fett2210 (Germany). You two are at the mercy of your perspective customs services.
Thirdly, Heidi is charging a very fair price to do this work, especially since she has a clue of what we are wanting done. I have gone the "show pictures to a seamstress" route before and always end up going back a time or two to still not get it perfect. In fact, I am so impressed with what I have seen so far that I too will be sending Heidi the last 2-1/2 yards I have so I can get one made myself.
::Edit:: I forgot to answer the question of which side to use for your vests. The shiney side should face out for the vest and the dull side should face out for your neckpiece. There is a sheen to the shiney side that really shows up in flash photography, so you need to weather it a bit to overcome that. I used a generous misting of taupe spray paint and primer along with some Dull Cote which worked pretty well.