It gets expensive to buy all the right zippers, fabrics, snaps, webbing and such. I go to thrift stores, and look for damaged sporting goods. Stripp them of webbing, zipps, all that. Get the good zippers after you get the pattern down. A test pattern made out of cotton before investing in good fabric is a good idea. You can make your own bias tape, it takes a little time, but works. Also, if you can get ahold of a worn out jacket that you like and fits, deconstruct it for a pattern, and modify that. Thats what I did with a pair of ex officio pants I liked and wore out. Added an extra strong gusset to the crotch and did not set a zipper, just a draw string. But thats because I am making things for ultra light use. Good idea to be using light upolstery thread for strength instead of cotton thread in the final item. My machines are just old heavy things that will go thru ten to sixteen layers of fabric, thru french seams and heavy webbing. Most new machines dont have the punch to do that.

One thing that I am getting ready to do is simply add a longer tail to existing rubgy type jerseys. A contrasting color or just black. I have added rear pockets to long tail shirts.