Sewing a Regency Waistcoat (and Slip Vest)

Towards the beginning of this summer, and pandemic, we got invited to a socially distant Regency picnic by a member of the Houston Regency Society on their private property. It was so nice to have a historical costuming event to prepare for, as other events were being cancelled left and right. I had a Regency outfit that I made for Dickens on the Strand in Galveston, but it would be too hot to wear outside in the summertime. Following my posts this week on my quick Regency sleeveless spencermy quick picnic bonnet, a simple Regency yellow cotton gown, and reticules, today I’m sharing my husband’s Regency waistcoat that I threw together before the picnic and the slip vest that I made after the picnic.

[Related: My First Foray Into the Regency Era]



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This project was a costume repurpose. My husband and I decided we were done with our almost 10 year old Game of Thrones costumes, so I cut his Littlefinger costume for his waistcoat. I loved the fabric and it will be easy to mix and match a brown waistcoat with any color. I used the Laughing Moon #123 pattern for Men’s Regency Slip Vest and Vest 1806-1830, and cut his waistcoat for View A.

Pattern: Sewing Pattern Laughing Moon 123 – LM 123 : 1806-1830 Men’s Regency Slip Vest & Vest



The waistcoat pieced together so quickly that I didn’t take any pictures during the making. And as an homage to Petyr Baelish, I moved his mockingbird sigil to his new waistcoat. True Game of Thrones fans will be able to spot it (several eagle eyes already have made the connection).



I also helped finish the waistcoats of two gentlemen attending. The three of us ladies had so much fun coordinating fabric from our stashes and making buttons with the covered button kits. You’d almost think we knew what we were doing!

Button cover kit: Dritz 114-30 Craft Cover Button Kit with Tools, Size 30 – 3/4-Inch, 18-Sets



After the picnic I went back and ordered new breeches and a frock coat from Historical Emporium for my husband. The breeches I made him were rubbish and got tossed in the trash as soon as we got home. And then I made him a soft blue slip vest to be worn underneath his brown waistcoat. For the slip vest, I went back to the Laughing Moon #123 pattern for View B. I used thin chambray and linen from my stash, so it shouldn’t be too hot when worn together.

Shell buttons: New Upick 11/13/15/23mm 100pcs Shell Buttons Sewing Craft Buttons 2 Holes (13mm)

Frock coat: Historical Emporium Men’s Velvet Trimmed Sovereign Regency Tailcoat

Breeches: Historical Emporium Men’s High Waist Cotton Regency Fall Front Trousers



Up next is the picnic highlights, what we learned during our first Regency group outting, and upcoming additions so we can have more gear/outfit options in the future.

[Related: A Quick Regency Sleeveless Spencer and A Quick Regency Picnic Bonnet and A Simple Regency Summer Picnic Gown and Sewing Regency Reticules]



More Regency costuming on Red Shoes. Red Wine.

My First Foray Into the Regency Era

Regency Gown and Open Robe

A Quick Regency Tartan Bonnet

A Quick Regency Sleeveless Spencer

A Quick Regency Picnic Bonnet

A Simple Regency Summer Picnic Gown

Sewing Regency Reticules

Sewing a Regency Waistcoat (and Slip Vest)

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