Making a top because I miss fencing

When I was doing my A-levels and realised PE was no longer a thing I tried out fencing. Boy, was I bad

at it but I persevered (and arguably got worse). The kit was addmitedly claustrophobic and overwhelming, added with the amount of activity needed, I was very stressed when fencing. It is a sport that suffers from the fact that your progress is dependent on someone else, so when you are a novice you feel as if you are wasting someone's time. That feeling got worse when I reached university and wanted to join the fencing society. It is naturally competitive and added with college varsity, the society was very much competition based and less 'do some exercise and have fun', which caused me to drop it almost instantly. For two years my fencing kit has remained untouched. 

Since then I've started archery and gotten increasingly interested in making historical fashion, not just researching it. So when I was looking into victorian women's archery outfits, I stumbled across this fencing outfit and I fell in love instantly. There are other similar designs that I am equally obsessed with, but it was this one that made me fascinated of the style that comes with old sportswear and what is retained in the modern day. Of course the side buttoned front panel is so that when you are struck by a fencing sword (be it foil, epee, or saber) it glides upon your chest. I then thought about this style in an archery context, making sure the buttons do not interfere with the bow's string, therefore having this side panel would be beneficial. It acts almost like a waistcoat, the modern fencing uniform having arms whilst historically it appears to be a vest, and there is plenty of space for one more waistcoat in my wardrobe.

Then a sewing pattern appeared on instagram as if it were destiny (90% sure it was targeted advertising). It was almost the exact style of these fencing vests and I started it the second my exams were over. As it was fueled entirely by impulse it became a stash-buster project, as mentioned in my rant about covered buttons, therefore being yet another brown waistcoat, even being the same fabric of my 1890s walking suit. Those who have seen my wardrobe will tire of even more brown clothing, but it is a necessary evil as this means I now have the storage to buy copious amounts of green fabrics. 

It was odd using a modern pattern for a historical creation as the construction was completely different. For context, my last project was an 1890s waistcoat which had layers upon shaping methods, all hidden from the outside, and fully lined. This pattern just said to zigzag stitch raw edges, leaving me bemused. It is currently functionally finished, but I do want to add a lining because I know this fabric frays something awful and I do not wish to tempt fate otherwise. It didn't even take a week to finish which leaves me rather apprehensive, whilst thankful because this means I can go back to handstitching hell when attempting a petticoat. It works rather well with the muttonsleeved shirtwaist, creating almost an adventuring character, and I think a split-drawer skirt will be the perfect accompaniment. 

Lastly, yes I will be wearing this to archery, fingers crossed we don't lose any buttons to a bow string.