titusnowl | (no subject)

I am making a vest. I really have no good reason to need a vest, but I am making one anyway. It's all Cameron's fault; her little vests are too cute. It's also Jeeves' fault, as I rather hope that by wearing a neat little vest I will pick up some of his better properties via vest mojo (this is a scientific fact, which you can read in any encyclopedia). I've made the lining as my toile, out of a really cheap, heavyweight synthetic double-sided satin from the Walmart clearance rack. It is black. I've done my fittings and basted it together, and tomorrow I will cut the fashion fabric (another really cheap Walmart clearance find, this some sort of cotton-blend twill-weave suiting in a dark charcoal). I bought some buttons for the front (it will button all the way up to the collar, so that I can leave the top two or three undone with my shirt-ruffle tucked through the gap) and a couple of the next-size-down button of the same pattern for pockets - I know I need a watch pocket, as I have a pocketwatch, but I am as yet undecided as to whether I want to build the pocket in to the darts on the front with no button on, or simply add a patch pocket to the front with a button on (and in that instance should it be one pocket for one watch, or two for the sake of symmetry?). I will need to go out and find some sort of buckle for the strap in the back, since I am not flexible enough to fit darts behind my own back yet need some way of fitting it properly so you can actually see my waist.

Opinions on the pocket issue eagerly solicited.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From a construction standpoint, I'd say: patch pockets.

From a finisherd vest standpoint, I'd say: in the darts. I think. Does that just mean like a slit in the front of the vest (essentially, but not really) and voila, pocket? That would be good. If you have a nice watch fob or charm to hang from the buttonhole.

You have the correct idea on the darts, both as to what they are and to how easy it would be to pop a pocket in there between the suiting and the lining, but I've been leaning towards a patch pocket for aesthetic purposes and because the placement of the darts may not make a pocket there be truly ideal for watch containment and chain-drapery.

Speaking of, I'll need a new chain if it's to be shown off on a vest like this. The one I have is one of those slinky snake-like things, and I'd rather have a linkèd chain. Where does one find a watch-chain these days?

Dakota Watchworks in the maul. That's where I got mine. Plus it had a watch attached to boot. (It's possible they'd have them loose. Dunno.)

One pocket, on the right hand side only.