I'm interested in making a vest style bodice, and I was wondering if anyone here could recommend a good pattern.
Okay..
What do you mean by a vest style bodice? Do you mean you want something that laces up the front but comes to a point at the waist?
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MdaUOilOyN0/UZTiLOVNBqI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/NR3uBCOQjK0/s320/zd4r0b42rbmp5xf4lyil.jpg)
Or do you mean you want something loose, like a waistcoat rather than a bodice?
(http://www.arizonacostumeinstitute.com/aci/Waistcoat_files/PAM114533.jpg)
Or, do you mean something else?
My *guess* is that you mean something like http://www.etsy.com/listing/111521161/simplicity-costumes-8855-scottish-irish (http://www.etsy.com/listing/111521161/simplicity-costumes-8855-scottish-irish) Which is the old simplicity pattern. Like any commercial pattern, it needs a bunch of edits to make it fit correctly for faire. I recently did a tutorial on how to take a commercial pattern and get rid of the princess seams and the darts in bodice patterns (http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php/topic,19838.0.html) - neither were used in the 16th C and neither are needed now if you want your bodice to function like a proper pair of bodies (bodice). I posted it in the sewing sub forum.
The biggest issue with the Simplicity pattern is that the bodice is very low cut. You will want to raise the neckline a bit if you end up using it.
I haven't used them myself, but I've heard good things about the Alter Years bodice patterns:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41RY4fdkFLL.jpg)
Alter Years Easy Front-Lacing Bodice Pattern (http://www.amazon.com/Peasant-Bodice-Front-Lacing-Pattern/dp/B002SQA6W6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376008562&sr=8-1&keywords=alter+years+bodice) on Amazon
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51EO0bOtkTL.jpg)
Alter Years Easy Back-Lacing Bodice Pattern (http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Bodice-Back-Laced-Pattern/dp/B002SQGQXY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1376008562&sr=8-2&keywords=alter+years+bodice) on Amazon
They're a little pricier than the Simplicity/Butterick/McCall patterns you can buy (on sale!) at your local fabric store, but they don't have the pesky darts or princess seams that Isabella mentioned, plus you get a lot of style options.
FWIW, the corset I'm wearing in my avatar is Simplicity 2621 (http://www.simplicity.com/p-1576-costumes.aspx). It's back lacing (which I'm guessing by "vest style" isn't what you're looking for), but it's an *excellent* pattern.
(http://www.simplicity.com/images/product/medium/2621.jpg)
(For me, the issue with darts/princess seams isn't so much that they aren't historically accurate, but that they aren't flattering in a Renfair bodice! Princess seams and darts are meant to help a flat piece of fabric curve over a round body--which is exactly what you don't want your bodice to do. You want the bodice to lift and shape *you,* not the other way round.)
Anyway... I recently placed an order with that Amazon merchant (Patterns of Time) and had it in lightning speed.
If you search the sewing forum, we have lots of very informative threads on sewing bodices, with tons of photos and lots of helpful construction tips.
This thread (http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php/topic,6965.0.html) is especially helpful, as is the link posted in the first comment:
QuoteI've been following the Baroness Doune's instructions for making a bodice from a big three pattern. (instructions found here: http://www.karen.htmlcreators.com/renbodice.html (http://www.karen.htmlcreators.com/renbodice.html))
Good luck!!
Check the Simplicity costume patterns and you will be able to find a basic front lacing bodice pattern. I'd check for you, but I'm at work at the moment..... ;) You may need to add some boning to it, but the lovely ladies here are always willing to help with advice on placement. In fact, I'm positive there is thread around here somewhere!