Geographer Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 Hey everyone!, I'm at the stage in building my scout were I have to get all the custom soft parts done (flight suit, vest, cummerbund). I would give a crack at sewing some things together like the vest, but my skills with a sewing machine are non-existent and I don't have easy access to one. I'm beginning to turn to vendors, but finding some for the vest and flight suit are proving a bit difficult. I've found a few, but I'm not sure of their quality or if they're trusted here on the community. What would my bet course of action be with this in mind? Would finding a cheap sewing machine and DIYing the soft parts be more cost effective than turning to vendors? And if vendors are the way to go, what are some trusted names in the BSN community to commission each part from? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 Certainly.... You can probably find yourself an old trusty Singer sewing machine pretty cheaply. Learning to use one is not rocket science. You can grab a yard of fabric for a few bucks to practice on and before you know it, you'll know what you are doing and be able to do the bits you need. Whether you save a great deal of money in the long run depends on how much you initially spend on your machine. But what is certain is that at the end of the day you will have a machine, and the skill to use it... which is priceless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geographer Posted January 6, 2016 Author Share Posted January 6, 2016 Thanks for replying Chef!, I'm starting to think getting a sewing machine and practicing making some rough attempts at the soft parts like you said might save heaps in the long run compared to buying everything. I've even been seeing scout flak vests go for over $100. I thought to myself surely at least that could be made for well below that price! That's why I asked if the sewing machine might cut the costs significantly. Based on what you're saying, it seems like that'd be the case. I was wondering if there were a soft part that might just be too hard for a beginner to make? Even if there is, what you said did hit me. Getting the skill to sew and make my own pieces would be priceless for the future. I think I'm going to give the sewing machine some more serious thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chunk Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 You just need a basic sewing machine from Walmart for around $75-$100. Nothing fancy, you dont need all that extra electronics & gadgets on it. Just a simple machine will do wonders. My machine cost under $100 & I've made almost 100 scout suits with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geographer Posted January 7, 2016 Author Share Posted January 7, 2016 I think that's what I'm going to do! Looks like I'll be hitting up the WalMart on payday! Do you know where to find patterns for the custom scout parts, Chunk? I have the vest tutorial but that's it. Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexmorris21 Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 I think that's what I'm going to do! Looks like I'll be hitting up the WalMart on payday! Do you know where to find patterns for the custom scout parts, Chunk? I have the vest tutorial but that's it. Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk I would find this info useful as well! Do you have a link to that tutorial? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 In terms of a machine... Seriously consider a 2nd hand older Singer/Brother/Pfaff machine. Spares are still readily available for them, which can't be said for some of the newer 'cheap' machines and they were built to last. I'm still using my mum's (rest her soul) machine, which is a 1967 Singer 457. Works as well now, as the day it came off the production line. And in contrast, I've seen people with 'el-cheapo' modern machines that have broken within 12 months and not been able to get spares for them... They've just gone in the bin and had to get new ones. Here's a 457 on eBay (your side of the pond). http://www.ebay.com/itm/Singer-Model-457-Stylist-Zig-Zag-Portable-Sewing-Machine-/221827848740?hash=item33a5f85a24:g:rvYAAOSwd0BVpuhn 39 Bucks... that's a bargain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayelbe Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 But with 77.00 shipping, not so much.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Still a good price for that type of machine... Even with the shipping. I'd have one of them over a walmart special any day of the week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geographer Posted January 7, 2016 Author Share Posted January 7, 2016 77 dollar shipping? I wonder if there is a Singer or Brother of that caliber that I can get for about just that shipping cost in stores. I might hit up Joann's and see if they have a simple sewing machine in one of those brands on sale. And if not, I might just pull the trigger on that ebay posting. That'd be nice to get it immediately too. I've done too much waiting on parts and not enough constructing! Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randypavlik Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 the waiting IS the hardest part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayelbe Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 If you look at the related auctions below that there is a '69 model 457 for $89 w/ FREE shipping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Obviously shop around.... The 457 model is very capable and durable with a surprising amount of 'functions'. The 507 and 513 models are also very good. (I think they have even more bullet proof internals). The 513 is the better of the two with various stitch functions (not that you'll need most of them to be honest). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chunk Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 I think that's what I'm going to do! Looks like I'll be hitting up the WalMart on payday! Do you know where to find patterns for the custom scout parts, Chunk? I have the vest tutorial but that's it. Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk I use my "own" patterns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowfanny Posted January 10, 2016 Share Posted January 10, 2016 I've got three sewing machines right now(ones a serger) Joann's machines aren't cheap. Even on sale they are outrageously priced. You can also hit up the nearest sewing machine vacuum repair shops as they fix up some machines to sell as well and they stand behind their work because they want you to come back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowfanny Posted January 10, 2016 Share Posted January 10, 2016 sorry had two post that wet the same. Amazon also sells some decent machines as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geographer Posted January 12, 2016 Author Share Posted January 12, 2016 It turns out I did have access to a sewing machine! I asked my girlfriend if she had one and, lo & behold, a sewing machine was graced onto me. It's a Singer 621b or a 5817c... there are a few numbers on this thing. Not as old or resilient as the 457 but it seems to be sturdy and reliable. She knows how to operate it and she taught me, but neither of us really know how to sew anything. Now that I have this, however, there is opportunity to learn a new skill! I'd be proud to say I custom made pieces of my own scout costume. I'm going to try and sew something simple and learn the basics before my flight suit arrives. I'd love to learn enough to get the Velcro and suede patches stitched on. The vest seems like its going to be a whole other animal. If anyone knows of some patterns for the soft parts that might be knocking around, please let me know! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramath Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 ...I've made almost 100 scout suits with it. Step 1: Make your own approved set of Scout Trooper armor. Step 2: Make 99 more! Step 3: Clone yourself 99 times. Step 4: Apply for your own Garrison. Step 5: World domination! Can I apply? It would save you from having to make 99 more costumes... you would only have to make 98! Not to mention one less body to clone... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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