crazy4BobaFett said:
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
Yes it makes sense, because that's exactly what I'm doing. No offense, but I've probably been doing this longer than most here, including yourself (unless of course you've been in the garment industry for 6 years or more). I have extensive cutting/draping experience. Bachelor's in costume design/construction plus 2 years in the field and currently working on my masters.
I probably should have explained before... A "mock-up" is a first draft of a garment made out of inexpensive fabric, usually muslin, so that you can get the basic shape down before cutting the real or "fashion fabric". This is just, as I said before, for getting the shape right. So, there are no closures, ribs in sleeve, batting, etc. That's all finishing work. I actually patterned this from a basic body block made from my measurements. I noticed the vest in the MOM pics is very fitted, so I thought that would be the best way to go. If all works as planned I will post a pattern free tutorial when I'm done. I actually have what appears to be screen accurate fabric that I found at a thrift store of all places. A light grey polished cotton with a slight sheen to it. Found about 6 yard of it in the fabric bin for 99 cents. Good find huh? I'll continue to post pics as progress is made.
webchief said:
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?
Thanks to webchief for the advice on length. Right now I have it just coming down to my fashion waist (i.e. where jeans sit) It was kinda hard to tell from the MOM pics if it came down there or just to the natural waist (around the navel)… Flightsuits don't have a very defined waist, so it's difficult to make out. I was worried that the sleevelet thingy might be too small, but I was referring to the MOM pics last nite and they appear to be about right.
crazy4BobaFett said:
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.
Actually, if you refer to the the screen images, there is no twill weave to the vest fabric. Twill has a raised kind of diagonal weave pattern to the surface of the fabric. The accurate fabric would have a standard weave. You can give the lighter brushed cotton more weight, making it sturdy enough with the simple use of linings. Im sure once the vest is lined and batted, it will support the armor. If it needs more structure you can always flatline it before assembly.
So any other suggestions folks? About how long should the vest be? You kind of have to look at it and imagine it filled out with batting and made from the right fabric..
I never claimed to be a tailor... just trying to help where I THINK I can. 
