Man's Vest

In addition to the pants pattern, I borrowed this vest pattern from TITP.  It had no instructions, but luckily I've made enough vests now to know basically what to do.  When I got stuck I had the Simplicity 5037 instructions to refer to, which I'd also borrowed.

I didn't just do fake front pockets, but real ones! That took most of the time. 

I'm really not loving the back.  It looks kinda girly to me -- like those collars we used to wear in the early '90s.  I'm guessing I just need a better pattern?

I'm not sure what I'll do for buttons, maybe self fabric?

I got my inspiration from these:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/122651718/antique-victorian-rare-men-waistcoat

http://www.mccord-museum.qc.ca/en/collection/artifacts/M21854

*****

Because I didn't love the collar I posted this at The Civilian Civil War Closet on Facebook for some advice.  Here's what some of the "experts" said.

• This looks more like 1830s style vests.
• A shawl collar would come further down in the front.
• The back of the collar needs more shape, more tailoring.  
• 1860s collars should hug the neck, not fall away from it.
• The Past Patterns vest has very good instructions and turns out well.
• Laughing Moon, Martha McCain (Simplicity 5037), and Galla Rock patterns are also good.  (Although, the 5037 looks earlier to me???).
• Pre-1875 vests had 3 pockets: the two lower ones, and one upper one likely at an angle on the left garment side.