Long time fan, first time caller

[Flinton Stiel]

Good evening
Me and a friend of mine recently got into steampunk attire and such, mainly for conventions but lately for casual wear too.
I found this forum several days ago and have been browsing it with all my spare time (all day) and you all seem like good folks so I'm here for help and (if I can) to help others.
My previous "costume" was that of a western adventurer using clothes that I already had from my grandfather, father and my usual clothing (I'll upload photos if asked)
I've worn it to several conventions and recently decided to try something different, the wardrobe of an aviator or, more specifically, a guard for a flying courier service.
I have done a sketch/drawing (I'm not very good yet) and was wondering if anyone can help me to source patterns of just general advice for this clothing.

Here is a link to my dA page and the image, I don't know how to use this posting thing yet...
http://splicer02.deviantart.com/#/d5q3se3

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[Lady Chrystal]

Hello and welcome. 

Are you looking to make your new outfit (which looks fine, BTW) or hoping for advice on where to buy everything. You mentioned patterns, but I wondered if you already have some of the items?

Also, I'd suggest thinking about accessories. You've probably seen some for sale at conventions, and these can really make an outfir into something special.

Oh, and please do post pictures of your current attire. 

[Flinton Stiel]

I do have some of the parts for this costume although I would like to replace them if I can that can wait for a while so I'll just look for them in the background
I think all I need are the boots (brown ones are hard to find, I might end up with black combat boots), I need to make the hat (either aviator cap or top hat depending which would be better to make from the thick leather I bought) and I need to sew the vest. I do already have a black waistcoat from my grandfather that I've worn in my previous costume but the black would be a bit out of place with this brown aviator.
As for accessories, so far I'm going to have a revolver and a big flintlock pistol in holsters on my belt and thigh, a map, compass and spyglass in pouches on my belt and, if I can, a pair of aviator goggles as well as the small black ones I already have. As a guard I figured I should have a couple of weapons and as, I guess, a "guardian" of my courier I would have accessories that would help us navigate and survive... Haven't thought of any survival things, I'll have a few extra pouches for that stuff I guess.
The guns I'm getting for my birthday tomorrow (they are metal lighters) and I found a suitable spyglass fairly cheap on Ebay. I also found a brass compass really cheap from a camping store where I will probably also buy the boots when they get some in my size (they're second hand and really worn leather).

The main thing I need help with I guess is the vest. I've never done anything like it before (sewing at all really) but I guess in a pinch I could just guess it all... Thinking of making it out of brown denim if I can get it..
I'm also having trouble finding an appropriate aviator cap pattern that I can customize a little.

http://splicer02.deviantart.com/gallery/?catpath=/#/d590op1
This seems to be the only photo of my costume I have handy (I'm the guy in the back)
Basically brown work boots, brown jeans, belt with a silver dollar buckle, black waistcoat, awesome pocket watch, white shirt with buttons on the collar, brown leather tie (actually a belt from another coat), leather cowboy hat and my favorite coat
Oh and my ever-present black steampunk goggles

... Sorry I wrote so much here, I tend to get carried away

[Stella Gaslight]

If you want to start sewing mock ups are your friend.  Vests for men are fairly simple and don't have darts and such like ladies.  Get your pattern, measure yourself(the  size numbers on the pattern lie but the measurements don't.) cut out the pattern then put it on a cheep fabric(i like used bedsheets from the thrift store) adjust the fit then cut it out of your good stuff. You will have to fit the final product again a little bit because of the difference in fabric thickness and stretch but it is much easyier than fitting from the raw pattern.  Since you are new to sewing might I suggest looking and seeing if there are any places around you that offer classes or lessons?  A bit of practice with someone that knows what they are doing is very helpful.  Also buttons and button holes are a bit of a pain the first time out so if you can't understand them at all and it is frustrating you just remember with steampunk you have a lot of options and your vet could lace or buckle shut instead of button.

[Flinton Stiel]

I've never done a pattern but they should have a "costume" vest one at Spotlight (fabric store). I was thinking brown denim because it's thicker and more durable than simple cotton but not as thick and more maneuverable than leather. I can't really do a class because I'm a full time tafe student but I'm thinking of doing a few short courses next year on leather working or pattern drafting.. Maybe even shoemaking so I can make my own boots
I'm going to try and sew a coat (not steampunk, just a black dress one with a hood) with help from my grandmother and a dressing gown pattern she has from a few years ago. If I fail miserably with customizing the pattern (I need to add a collar and hood) then I might have to save up and buy a double-row button vest online (was thinking the Pinkerton Vest here http://www.lastwear.com/gentlemen/pinkerton/pinkerton-vest-brown.html) but I hope this is as easy as I seem to think it is
I think if I fail with buttons I might be able to get away with those metal clip things... Don't know what they're called..

I have some very thick leather that I got cheap at a market and I might use that to make the hat, armour pieces and belt pouches. I also got the two guns for my birthday so I'll have to make holsters for them. One is a large double-barrel flintlock pistol (doesn't really make sense but it looks bad@$$) and I'm trying to figure out where something like that (about the size of a sawn-off shotgun) would go that doesn't mess with the almost-as-long navy revolver I got...

Thanks for the advice
Addendum: should I make another post for this costume and actually name it something appropriate such as "Aviator" or "Courier Guard"?

[Flinton Stiel]

Oh and I also just got back from buying a brass compass ($10) and a brown jacket with a flap over the zip with buckles. Not 100% steampunk but it's a step in the direction of casual steampunk attire.
I'm getting a friend to order a brass spyglass for me from ebay ($15) but are there any other devices or items that would be practical for an aviator/guard/courier helper to have on his person? I can really make as many pouches as needed on my belt.
Oh and I do already have an awesome steampunk pocket-watch and some spectacles (oval shaped with the frame going underneath so the lenses fold down)

[walking stick]

Some quick thoughts
Perhaps a sextant, remember all of the items in your belt should look well held in case of turbulence. 
Water bottle of some kind (drinking flasks are often assumed to be alcohol so although there are some handsome ones, you do not want to appear Drunk In Charge Of Dirigible)
An interchangeable head screwdriver as opposed to a modern multitool and a set of graduated spanners.

[Flinton Stiel]

Nice ideas there, but we are not pilots and we don't have a dirigible. We have flight packs that allow us to travel individually rather than with an air ship so I don't think a screwdriver or other mechanic tools would be very helpful.
As for the sextant, what exactly are they used for? Could one be used for single human air travel?
I was thinking of buying a metal water bottle (forgotten what they're called, the camping ones) from an army surplus store. Could be helpful with thirst at a convention too.

Thanks for the suggestions