Any idea how to make a waistcoat without a pattern?

[lucysmam]

DD2 wants a Sherrif Callie (Disney channel) dress up - it's just jeans, a brown waistcoat and pink bandana so simple to do.

Except, I can't find a cheap cheap waistcoat in the charity shops I've tried & don't want to pay a fortune so figured I'd hack something old up to make one.

Any idea of the easiest way to make it without spending on a pattern?

I've never done it, but best to start from something that fits like a cardigan or jacket and trace the back and front from it.

Jacket...good thinking batman! Thank you

or cut up a top/jacket/sweater?

Chop the sleeves off a brown tshirt and cut up the middle?

All good ideas, thank you. I'll have a rummage and see what I have lurking about to chop up.

Start with a pattern for a knitted waistcoat and draw it out on paper to make your own pattern. I've got patterns that show an outline sketch of the pieces of the finished garment with measurements in inches/cms. I may have a waistcoat pattern. I can have a rummage this evening or you can look on Ravelry for something similar.

Woolly, I don't knit! I don't "get" it (or crochet ).

I'll draw round a school cardi & see how I get on.

Sorry. That was my poor explanation. I didn't mean that you could knit it

What I meant was that i have got patterns with a line drawing that look similar to a paper pattern. The pattern gives measurements such as chest, back length and underarm length that may give you enough information to draw the shape on tissue paper.

DS has a waistcoat for his FHC next month that I could draw round but he is 8 and I think your DD is much younger isn't she?

aaaah, yes, that would have been good!

She's five (going on bloody fifteen ).

I'll do some measuring and some drawing round and see what I end up with...I may be back!

There's a free download here
barmybeetroot.co.uk/toddler-waistcoat-sewing-pattern/

It's only goes to age 4 but could be enlarged a bit?

I have made loads (mostly for pirates, but the odd cowboy/sheriff too) . Get some newspaper or other large paper for drawing patterns. Get a T Shirt which fits (or is a little large) on child. Draw round it. Then you can pretty much imagine a waistcoat shape. Fold paper and draw half of the back based on the T shirt shape. Do the same for the front.

TBH even though it is theoretically easier to cut it out in one piece and sew it together only at the shoulders, in practice I find it easier to cut three pieces (one back, two half fronts) and sew side and shoulder seams.

Top tip - fake suede doesn't fray and can be pretty cheap.

Thanks for the link Raven. My printer's knackered so I'll try drawing round something first (t-shirt is probably a better idea than cardi - thanks Stealth) and then email the link to my dad to print if that frustrates me.

Good idea about the fake suede too - it'd be like a real cowboy waistcoat then . I think I saw some in Boyes last time I was in there so will have a look on Tuesday and see.

(I really ought to finish my other projects first )