Dance and Shantell

Turkish-Macedonian Vest

Suggested fabrics: heavy fabrics are best. Velvet and velveteen are ideal for fancy costumes and corduroy and heavy cottons are good for field costumes. Traditionally, the vests were dark true colours, such as emerald green, ruby red, black, maroon, or dark blue.

Sewing suggestions: If you use a fabric with a nap, be sure that both front pieces and the back piece are laid out in the same direction. Start with any vest pattern and on the front section curve the neckline (Figure 1A). This curve will compensate for the chest without having to put in darts. The back may need darts to fit properly (Figure 1D). Sew in neckline tabs (Figure 1B) and an underbust tab (Figure 1C. The entire vest should be lined. Not only does it look better this way, but it will wear better as well.

Trim and braid are used lavishly to decorate the vest. A narrow metallic braid (usually gold) can be sewn onto the vest in winding patterns (See Figure 2 for two of the more common designs).

Figure 3 is a sample of how a completed vest looks. Figures 4 and 5 show variation to be made to the front of the vest.

[Figure 1]
Figure 1


[Figure 2]
Figure 2


[Figure 3]
Figure 3


[Figure 4]
Figure 4


[Figure 5]
Figure 5



© 2006 Shantell Powell