Looking to make my own habit for just doing local stuff. Do people like the suitability patterns to make the jacket and apron or is there any other patterns out there that are better?
I haven’t used the suitablility pattern yet.
But I’d like to if I can. I had a friends’ for a while, but didn’t get a chance to trace the pattern out or anything. Do you have an apron that fits you? Even if it’s something old, you may be able to make a pattern from the existing piece. That was how I made my “fun” sage green apron. Took the torn lining of another apron, and laid it out and traced it, including all of the darts and seams.
I have a brown plaid and a formal black habit, both from the suitability apron pattern. It fits pretty well, and should be fine for local stuff. For the jackets, I used a pattern from my local fabric store and it turned out really nicely. A habit is kind of a complicated sewing job though, so unless you know your way aroung a sewing machine, it kight not turn out as well. But there seems to be oodles of people in the ss community who can put together a habit for a reasonable price. Luckily for me, my mom is a sewing fiend. I actually just wore my plaid for a schooling dressage show this weekend, and got tons of compliments on it. 
The suitability apron pattern is terrible. WAY too much material.
Contact Lillian Chaudhary at Heritage Tack and Saddlery (saddlemakr on here). She has a lovely pattern from a vintage Nardi apron that she can fit to your measurements and send you the pattern for a very reasonable amount.
My habit is from the Suitability pattern. The apron needed a TON of alterations because it’s way too much fabric. But now that I have the muslin pattern, I would continue to use it if I want a tweed or navy habit.
Thanks everyone! I will contack Saddlemkr on here to find out about her pattern:winkgrin:
Thanks to Lillian I will be getting on board soon with her pattern. Thanks for helping me out fellow COTHers!
Please keep us posted! I just purchased the fabric for my sidesaddle habit. Mine is different than a hunt pattern though since I will be showing in saddle seat classes. I purchased a pattern off of :
https://agelesspatterns.com/
…and it still has to be modified. The jacket must be longer like a saddleseat coat.
Dear Equusvilla,
For Saddleseat sidesaddle habit you can use your Daycoat and an apron of contrasting or a darker shade of the color of the coat.
I saw one out in a show in Southern California that had a Kelly Green Daycoat and a Hunter green apron and her hat and shirt were the same as for cross saddle riding.
She was on a big Chestnut 1/2 Arab 1/2 Saddlebred and she looked so good. Won her class too.
If there is a class for Period habits that is great. The basic rule of thumb is what ever the cross saddle riders are wearing, add an apron that blends well. That goes for Western and Spanish too.
Have fun. KR’s S
[QUOTE=sadlmakr;4041702]
Dear Equusvilla,
For Saddleseat sidesaddle habit you can use your Daycoat and an apron of contrasting or a darker shade of the color of the coat.
I saw one out in a show in Southern California that had a Kelly Green Daycoat and a Hunter green apron and her hat and shirt were the same as for cross saddle riding.
She was on a big Chestnut 1/2 Arab 1/2 Saddlebred and she looked so good. Won her class too.
If there is a class for Period habits that is great. The basic rule of thumb is what ever the cross saddle riders are wearing, add an apron that blends well. That goes for Western and Spanish too.
Have fun. KR’s S[/QUOTE]
Shhhhh - don’t tell my husband that! I already knew …but wanted a matching suit just for the occasion! ha ha Plus - and this is JMHO …but I think saddleseat coats are too long for sidesaddle riding. This way, I can get my suit the exact coat length I want and still have my astride suits.
Ahh yes, wise thinking.
Keep us informed on yourprogress on the habit and of course when you show in it.
I will cheer you on from out here in cyberspace.
Kind regards,
S
So I got the pattern to the suitablity hunt coat last night. Cant wait to be able to get Lillians! Then have my seamstress get started. I am thinking about doing a light brown tan tweed jacket and a contrasting color that matches for the apron. What do you all think? This will just be used for the local shows around me. I am planning to have custom clothier make my jacket for my habit and buy the fabric from her to match for the apron.
Thanks for everyone’s suggestions!
So excited!
So I got my pattern day from Lillian. Will get that measured this week and sent back out to you. Do I mail a check with it lillian? Anyway Friday night I went up to Bartville and I am getting most of my tack made. I got my Hunt Bridle from them and they are sewing in the bit. I am also having them make me a balance strap and triple fold girth. I cant wait. They said it would be about a three week turn around so thats not too bad. Just wanted to let you all know. Thanks for the support you guys have given me.
That is so awsome!!! Good for you.
