R. H. Seamstrix

I've been working steadily on the jacket, and finally the sleeves are complete! The original pattern called for the hem between the cuffs and lining to just be pressed in place, but I wasn't pleased with how that looked. Instead, I've sealed it off with some leftover bias tape from the blue/green apron , and I definitely prefer this look. Now I need to finish the bottom (which includes elastic for the waist), and then there are some finishing stitches for structural and cosmetic reasons.  

Here's my full (for now) outfit for longsword practice. The sword is borrowed, the gloves, helmet/hood, and boots are mine, and everything in lavender and white is something I hand-sewed. S9593 - Quilted short jacket (undyed muslin with quilted sleeves, closes with corset-style lacing), pattern  S9593 - Quilted vest (lavender cotton with undyed muslin lining, dark purple cotton bias tape to finish the edges) B6752 - Tunic (white monkscloth, sleeveless) Shorts (undyed muslin, cloth drawstring) I might eventually add a way to hold the long vest closed, but I'm wearing it out and about to get a feel for what options would suit me best. For now, it stays closed well enough without anything added.     

I installed the zipper (including the barely visible piping which strengthens the area around the zipper). Next, I've pinned a contrasting piping (blue) to the armholes. This will eventually create a bright blue line around the shoulder, where the sleeves meet the rest of the jacket. I love how adding the zipper turned this into a jacket, suddenly, in a way that the collar and pockets did not.

It turns out that the first thing to sew in this jacket is the pockets, so I'm working on those. They have a facing and a lining, and then get attached to the outside layer of the jacket.

Yesterday I cut a bunch of fabric, for a jacket which will have a purple flannel outside and use this blue/green fabric for the lining. I've also obtained a grey, ribbed fabric for the cuffs and collar, but I haven't cut any of that yet. 

I've attached the collar, which was the final piece of the base garment which was necessary in order to finalize its structural integrity. Now, I need to pick a closure method for the front. The pattern recommends strings secured at the base with leather, but I intend to sweat on this too much to want to have leather elements which require different/special care regimens from the rest of the garment (which is, thus far, 100% cotton). That effort isn't worth it for 8-10 small pieces of leather when I can easily do something else. I'll likely let this one sit for a new days while I decide what to do for the final steps.

I have finished adding bias tape to all parts of the hem, the last bit was the horizontal lower hem, and that's done now. This is a partial photo because I want to save the full thing until I do the last step. I only have one cloth piece left to attach, but it involves at least two rounds of ironing, so it'll have to wait another day. Then I need to decide once and for all which fastening method I'll use, and attach whatever is necessary. The pattern recommends a combination of leather and cording, but I have a few ideas I'm considering instead. I have dexterity issues, so I want a closure method that is as low-frustration as possible for me. I love this vest, I love how it feels and how it sits on my body. I'm so excited to get to wear it once the final bits are in place.