***Official Thread - Vest and Gloves

[Hand Schaub]

As I understand your vest is already black and you're trying to get it grey? My vest is actually grey leather to start with but antiqued with black oil antiqueing rub that I got at Tandy. If anything you may find some white oil color to mix with the black to make it grey (Again, tandy should have this). layer it on until it creates a slight white wash to steel grey. The black leather will show trough enough to keep the overall appearance dark. The spray that Tandy sells to set up the leather is actually just clearcoat... the same crap as krylon (a little secret a leather worker shared with me) This is probably why spray paint would work. Hope this doesn't confuse you more.

 

[Rammage]

Yeah, I'm not too sure I want to use spray paints on something as important (and large) as the vest.

R&B on the vest, eh? Never would have thought about that! Do you know what color he used?

In case I go vinyl, does anyone know where online I could get a couple yards of charcoal or gun metal gray?

Thanks again!

 

[Rammage]

Actually, I haven't made the vest yet. I was wondering how others did theirs, and if I should make the investment in leather and dye.

Does anyone know if solvents can be used to turn a black into gray? Based on the description here, it looks like it could work.

 

[Hand Schaub]

for the money, I spent about the same for a custom leather vest fit to me than I would have buying a pre-made one. Leather will not tear like vinyl. A good grey dyed leather is probably easier to find than vinyl too.

 

[Baddblood]

Pleather can be your friend.

 

[obi sean kenobi]

I found a killer dark grey vinyl at my local JoAnn's in the home decorating fabrics section where all the vinyls are on huge rolls. It is NOT a cotton backed vinyl - it has a plastic back. The vinyl itself is textured with leather-like wrinkles etc. It looks awesome - very film accurate. I bought it about a month ago so Im sure they still carry it.
PM me with your e-mail and Ill send you some images of mine. Best of all - it was like 6.99 a yard or something.
Heres a link on how to make it with some pics of my completed vest:
http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/sean_kenobi/lst?.dir=/Flak+Vest+Tutorial&.view=t
Hope this helps!
Sean

 

[asok]

Isn't leather going to be hot? My vest is made of cotton like and breaths very well and looks like leather. Remember that you will have a jumpsuit and a jet pack harness on also.

 

[Foxbatkllr]

Leather-like is accurate, cotton is not even close to accurate for Jango.

 

[asok]

When you look at it you will think that it is.
Check out my vest at http://www.billwarren.net/Jango/Bill/vestwitharmor/

 

[darksidedesign]

I have several yards of Charcoal Grey vinyl left over from mine.
My local JoAnn's had it in a clearance pile, so I picked it
all up (like 7 yards) for $4.99/yd. If you'd like, I can
send some your way for the same price I paid + shipping.
Let me know if you're interested.

Here's a sample of the color
(The grey on the left, not the blue):

darksidedesign

 

[Rammage]

Wow asok! Awesome vest! Where did you get that material? Do you know if it can it be dyed with Rit?

If I do the vest in leather, I'd go with the 4-5 oz thickness, so it should stay relatively cool, in conjunction with Underarmor. I'm also thinking about using just a single coat of black dye. Hopefully that will result in a dark gray appearance. I'll test it on scraps first, and post a few pics of my progress.

If that doesn't work out, I've got plenty of alternatives thanks to y'all! Much appreciated!

 

[asok]

I had the vest made. So, I can't answer any of your questions. Sorry.

 

[GATER]

For clarificaiton, SEEKER used 2 or 3 different colors of acrylic paints made by Liquitex.

 

[SEEKER]

Sorry I missed this fellas. I'm still recoparation from last weekend.

Well I would segest by all means to try to make your vest out of leather. You will se the results in photographs and in person. My vest/jacket was black. I used what gater said Liquitex acrylic paints to give it a grayish weathered look. I used colors - raw umber, raw sienna, light blue violet, black, gray. All colors where thin out with water. Dont go thick with the paints. try to go as light as possible withe the paint washes. built up your colors in thin layers.

I mixed them here and there in all diferent areas for that certain look. try it on some other kind of vinyl or extra pieces of leather for practice.

 

[Michigan Jaster]

I was in Wal-Mart today looking for a good pattern for my Flak vest. I am 6'2" with a 48" chest, so the cheerleader patterns don't work too well. I did find this pattern for a rennaissance vest that would possibly work well if it was reversed (and with a couple of obvious mods) just wanted some opinions, it's a Simplicity 5925.

 

[obi sean kenobi]

I used a simplicity pattern (easy-to-sew 5473) for mine. Its basically a t-shirt pattern.
Here are the mods:
1. no v neck collar
2. leave out the yoke
3. without the yoke the back will be longet than the front - even it out
4. dont sew the sleeves in
5. make a pattern for the cap sleeves

heres a tutorial:
http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/sean_kenobi/lst?.dir=/Flak+Vest+Tutorial&.view=t

I dont recommend using a standard vest pattern. Its pretty advanced sewing to make the back of garment the front and have it still look right. Trust me - my way works.
Good Luck!
Sean

 

[Foxbatkllr]

Look for a cheerleader pattern, there are a few of them.

 

[G8R Fett]

I feel you mister fett! I too am 6'2" and a 48" chest. Not much luck with the cheerleader patterns for us big mandalores. Anyway Obi Sean's way seems to look good I think I'm gonna try it for mine.

 

[obi sean kenobi]

it worked for me and im 6'3" 180 lbs.
sean

 

[DjFettRocker]

Do any of you know where at I might be able to order the material for the flak vest?