You will need at least basic sewing skills in order to complete this project. You should take your measurements before you buy your fabric so that you will have a better idea of how much you will need.
Materials
3–5 yards of thin, shiny fabric
2 spools of matching thread
Snap fasteners
Straight pins
Butcher paper on a roll
Tracing paper
Dark pencil
Notepad
Measuring tape
Scissors Sewing machine
Yoke Measure from shoulder to shoulder across the back and from the side of your neck to your shoulder. Add 1.25 inches to each of these measurements and write them down. Download this vest (waistcoat) pattern. The only portion of the pattern you will be using are the middle (back) and right (front) pictures, only down to the second dotted blue line. Enlarge the pattern so that the slanted line on the top of the middle picture matches the neck to shoulder measurement you wrote down. If you know how, use “Print screen” to crop the middle and right images so that only the parts you need will print. Otherwise, lay your tracing paper over the screen and gently trace both sections with your pencil. Pin the fabric to the front pattern and cut it out, then cut an identical piece. Pin a double thickness of cloth to the back pattern so that the fold is on the left side. Cut it out. Sew the back piece to the front ones, wrong sides out, by the angled edges. Fold the collar down 5/8 inch and sew.
Sleeves Measure the arm from the shoulder to the wrist. Add 1.25 inches to this measurement and make a note. Measure around the upper arm. Multiply this measurement by 1.5, add 5/8 inch and make a note. Use the noted measurements to draw 2 rectangles on the butcher paper, 1st measurement long by 2nd measurement wide. Pin the fabric and cut it out. Sew the long seam of each sleeve, then hem the wrist cuffs. Sew half of the top of each sleeve to the yoke.
Body Measure from the armpit to mid-shin. Add 1.25 inches and make note. Measure the bust for a girl, waist for a boy. Multiple this measurement by 1.5, add 1.25 inches and make note. Use butcher paper to create 2 rectangles that are the first measurement long by the half the second measurement wide. Pin and cut the patterns as you did for the yoke – one double and two singles. Pin the large piece to the back of the yoke and the unsewn sleeve openings by either end. Alternating between sides, make a ½ fold every couple of inches and pin it down, until you reach the middle and the whole piece is pinned down. Sew it down. Make a 5/8 inch hem on the bottom. Repeat this with each front piece, and also hem the edge of each front opening. Attach the snaps.
