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How to Make an Australian Outback Safari Vest

When most people think of an Australian Outback safari guide, they picture him wearing a khaki safari vest. This is the quintessential piece for any kind of safari guide costume. An Australian safari vest, however, has uses beyond that of a costume. They are great for fishing, hunting or camping as well. Although these vests can be hard to find in stores, it's quite simple to make one at home. With basic sewing skills, common sewing supplies and a little bit of concentration, almost anybody can make his own Australian Outback safari vest.

Things You'll Need

Khaki fabric
Fabric scissors
Thread
Sewing machine
Iron
Zipper
1/4-inch snaps
Hand sewing needle

Instructions

- 1
  Cut out two pieces of fabric that are each long enough to reach from your collar bone to your hips and as wide as the widest part of your torso plus 2 inches.
- 2
  Lay the two fabric pieces directly on top of each other. Sew up both longer sides, leaving 6 inches open at the top of each side for the arm holes.
- 3
  Sew up the top of the vest, leaving 6 inches open in the middle for the collar.
- 4
  Cut the vest open in a straight line all the way down the front, starting at the collar and ending at the bottom of the vest.
- 5
  Fold the collar, arm holes and bottom of the vest under 1/4 inch. Fold them over 1/4 inch a second time and iron the folds in place.
- 6
  Hem the folded edges down and sew a zipper into the front opening of the vest.
- 7
  Cut out a piece of fabric that is 5 inches wide and 7 inches long. Fold the fabric under 1/2 inch and hem it all the way around, tucking the raw fabric edges under as you go. This will form a pocket.
- 8
  Sew the pocket to the top left corner of the front of the vest, leaving one of the shorter sides open at the top.
- 9
  Cut a piece of fabric that is 3 inches wide and 6 inches long. Hem the fabric 1/2 inch all the way around. This will form the pocket closure flap.
- 10
  Sew the flap onto the vest just above the pocket along one of the longer edges of the fabric, allowing the other long edge to drape over the pocket.
- 11
  Sew a metal clasp to the top of the pocket. Sew the other side of the metal clasp on the flap, lining it up with the clasp on the pocket. Repeat this process for as many pockets as you want.

Sewing