I've always loved the South African assault vest. It's the basis for the MESA vest design. Well, I was able to pick up a second SA vest which looks like it'd never been issued. So, I decided that my first one, which was well-used (but no 'dead guy' smell), would make a great project to convert to Multicam.
Here's what it looked like before:
Since I would never use the back pockets for their original purpose (linked ammo and a first aid kit), I decided that a hydration pocket would be more useful. Well, that and the fact I don't know how to do zippers, made the hydration pockets an easier choice, as well. I also decided to add a drag-handle and replace the four .75" side-adjustment buckles with three 1" straps. Here is the result. As you can see on the right side, I slightly messed up matching the "X" on one spot.
I wanted to add some PALS webbing, but not cover the whole thing, so I put 3 rows at the top and three at the bottom. I realized this morning, that it is the same number as if I'd merely alternated rows as is customary, but oh well. The center buckle helps support the back panel if I put anything on it, which is doubtful, but one never knows.
View with a filled 72oz Camelbak Omega reservoir. Also, a close up of the reservoir loop I put in to help support the reservoir:
Overall, I think I did a swell job (if I do say so myself). I am most impressed with the success I had with the binding. I did the inside stitching using the attachment, then the outside line was freehand.
Here are some other pictures. Two notable "oops". First, I cut the lid flap a little too wide, and it touches and folds up where it hits the sides of the hydration pocket. Second, you'll see the pleat I needed to make to accommodage the too-wide material at the bottom. Should have put the pleat in the middle, but by the time I really realized it would look better there, I would have had to open the seam up, and I was too lazy to do that. Since this is for me, no big deal.
My next steps are to replicate the pockets on the front panels.
