Jacket questions

[Rox]

I just placed an order from Walt’s for a kit and I want to have all the soft parts done ahead of time. My mother is pretty darn good with a sewing machine. Has anyone come up with a pattern? What fabric are those that were brave enough to make this on their own using?

[BikerScout007]

5 hours ago, Rox said:

I just placed an order from Walt’s for a kit and I want to have all the soft parts done ahead of time. My mother is pretty darn good with a sewing machine. Has anyone come up with a pattern? What fabric are those that were brave enough to make this on their own using?

Hi Terry, I've upgraded you to 501st Access.

@MrPoopie has made his own jacket.  I'm pinging him on this

[MrPoopie]

I have a fabric pattern but it's fit for my size. I don't have the exact dimensions right now (on vacation) but I'm 5'10 and around 150lbs. Are you anywhere near that range? If not I can direct you to the base pattern that we used and how we modified it to work for this costume. The biggest issue that you're going to run into is finding a matching fabric. The ribbed vinyl fabric that I used is longer in production. It's possible to make ribbed fabric by hand but it does take a bit of skill and a lot of patience. The ribbing needs to be about 1/4" with minimal stitching lines between the ribs.

[Rox]

Not quite. I’m also 5’10’m but I’m 250 pounds. But I’ll take the info for the base pattern and go from there. Between my wife and my mother I’m sure they can handle it. They did the ribbing for my flack vest. 

[MrPoopie]

The pattern that I used was the Simplicity 8705. It's basically a lightweight running jacket. I moved the zipper from the front to the back of the neck and shortened it a bit. It'll be hidden by the helmet and the neck area of the back armor anyway. I also removed the addition of the arm pocket. I suggest making part of the main body out of a lightweight fabric that breathes well. Anything in the main body that is hidden by the chest and back armor should be lightweight and breathable. This jacket gets very hot since it's made out of vinyl (or leather) and the only real place for heat to escape if from your head which is then inside a helmet. It's a bit warm even when it's cool out.

 

If you want to go for accuracy on the sleeves try to stick with the pattern of ribs and stitching below. You don't need to have the wrist zippers but you can if you like as long as they are hidden.

[Rox]

Thanks this is great info. I’ms there information somewhere on the size of the ribbing? I don’t think I’ll have my armor until late January or early February so I have time to take my time and get it right. I’ve already list two inches off my waist since my pants came in from uniform warehouse so I don’t want to rush this and have to make adjustments a bunch of times. 

[MrPoopie]

The ribs should be just about 1/4" wide (just slightly less if possible).

[Rox]

You mentioned using more breathable fabric. Do you think from the ribs down since the armor is going to cover that area up?

[Mandrake]

Posting here instead of on your WIP, sorry about that 😬

For reference this is my jacket that I had made and the bottom half is made of breathable mesh material and has wicking material inside.

 

[Rox]

Thanks for the look at your jacket. What did you use for that bottom portion like a dry fit material or cotton?

[Mandrake]

https://ukfabricsonline.com/mock-eyelet-sports-fabric

I used this material in black ,you will have to find somewhere in your country that sells it ,but it's not a hard to find fabric.

[Rox]

Oh, this is the same material a lot of my hockey jerseys were made of when I played in high school. This should be rather easy to find. Thank you. I assume the top portion is just a pleather of some kind?

[Mandrake]

Correct , I did have to go through a few different faux leather materials, until I found one that was both durable and flexible,it's hard to judge from pictures sometimes.

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