Ferris Bueller's Vest

I'm starting work on recreating the vest Matthew Broderick wears in Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

After weeks of digging through the internet, I can not find this vest for sale anywhere online nor can I find the name of the pattern that appears on it.

Using images of the vest on display at some Planet Hollywood, I have traced the pattern that appears on the vest. It seems complicated when on the vest, but it's really a small part that is repeated over and over.

As for the creation of the vest, at first I planned on having the pattern printed on fabric and then cutting and sewing the fabric to make the vest. But after looking at the vest harder, it looks like it's actually a knit vest and the design is knit, not printed. The technique is called picture knitting, or "intarsia knitting." This makes matters harder but my mom and several of her friends know how to knit, and I'm willing to learn so I can work on this. It will take a long time, but it's not something I'm going to do in a day. I'll probably work on it in my spare time.

Anyway, here's a few images of the vest on display, in the film, and the pattern that I've simplified into a single motif as blocks as accurately as I could based on the images.










The pattern repeated as a vector image (The color is a little too pale.)


The pattern as I would like to knit it


As far as the actually vest is concerned, it will probably be based on something like this or this but with a longer collar and the above pattern repeated in it.


I'll be posting my progress here, but if anyone has any experience with intarsia knitting, or knitting a vest, please share as this is my first knitting project.


Thanks a lot!
Max

very interested to see how this turns out. good luck!

This is why I love this site! Sure, it's fun to see all the Star Wars, Star Trek, super heroes, etc. costumes, but the fact that someone would even think of working on a replica of Ferris Bueller's sweater vest makes me smile from ear to ear. Bravo!

I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product.

Dude! This is a great movie. I want to see this done!

LOVE IT, this is brilliant, if you manage, it, would love to see how you did it. This would make a great present for my mate who is Brodericks doppleganger!!

Here's a Halloween version.

Ferris Bueller Costume Shirt

seeing as Magnoli Clothier made the jacket, I wonder if he will ever make the sweater vest.

I've been asked to do this several times but our knitwear department is shut down for the moment. If (and when) it opens again, we'll certainly add this to the lineup.

Kind regards,
Magnoli

Indy Magnoli said:

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I've been asked to do this several times but our knitwear department is shut down for the moment. If (and when) it opens again, we'll certainly add this to the lineup.

Kind regards,
Magnoli

Hey Indy, do you have any updates about the dept.?

Nope, our knitwear department has completely folded up with no news for the near future at least...

After years of wanting a replica, I finally got lucky.

I've been seeing this girl for a month now, and she's really aware of my passion for costumes and replicas.

Thus, since she study in fashion, she told me she wanted to make me the vest. I couldn't believe it. (I mean, wow)

Today we went fabric hunting, and found a great 'beige caramel' fabric for the body and some great black piping for the rest of the vest.

Next week, we'll go and have the geometric pattern screenprinted on the fabric (they have a machine at her school).


I'll keep you updated on it, and I soon as I have pics I will post them up.

joelgoodson said:

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After years of wanting a replica, I finally got lucky.

I've been seeing this girl for a month now, and she's really aware of my passion for costumes and replicas.

Thus, since she study in fashion, she told me she wanted to make me the vest. I couldn't believe it. (I mean, wow)

Today we went fabric hunting, and found a great 'beige caramel' fabric for the body and some great black piping for the rest of the vest.

Next week, we'll go and have the geometric pattern screenprinted on the fabric (they have a machine at her school).


I'll keep you updated on it, and I soon as I have pics I will post them up.

umm... SWEET DEAL!!!!!

I've been quite busy lately, but managed to get to the print shop to do the fabric today.

Is there any way you could tell me where you found a printshop to do this and how much they charge you per yard? The cheapest I have found(besides ordering massive amounts from China) is $30 a yard

This is awesome!!!!!!!!!! I've always wanted one of these !!!!

DeadRinger said:

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Is there any way you could tell me where you found a printshop to do this and how much they charge you per yard? The cheapest I have found(besides ordering massive amounts from China) is $30 a yard

it was at a fashion school. They charged me like $30 for 1x1 meter. However they didn't print enough so the project is currently on hold (they're only open during weekday when I work )

Nice, I like that you recreated the pattern yourself and are going the extra mile.

joelgoodson said:

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I've been quite busy lately, but managed to get to the print shop to do the fabric today.

This is awesome! How does it look close up? Is it just ink on fabric? Details!!!

Looking forward to seeing this done

Hey guys,

actually this project is on hold for the moment.

Well guess what folks! I'm actually working on this again! I'm aiming to have the whole costume together for Halloween, so I'm sort of doing this a little rougher than I originally hoped, but it's looking pretty decent considering how much money I'm putting into it. (About $30)

I ran over to Goodwill today and picked up a couple sweaters. This beige one is going to be the bulk of the vest, and I bought a black one to use as the trim. I started by cutting the arms off. I later cut off the bottom too.



I don't really have the time/money to get fabric printed or anything, so I basically printed the pattern on plastic, cut out a stencil, and used a black fabric marker to transfer the pattern to the sweater.



Up close it doesn't look fantastic, but it'll work.



Looking pretty good so far! I'm just holding the trim onto the vest to get an idea of what it will look like. The waistband is missing in this picture.



Should be ready to go by the end of the week. I'll be working on the trim and waistband tomorrow!

Here's my Halloween costume! The jacket isn't exactly right (it's my friend's. A woman's jacket from Forever 21! ) but people still knew who I was!

Finally! An asian company made a replica:


Of course, it's not 100% accurate, but I'm glad I got it.

Great job on the vest!! I'm putting a vest together for a party this weekend and am following your lead.

Could I ask you to post up or email me the AI file for the vector art pattern?

Thanks,

-Ryan