So first off, a trivial question – is there a convention as to which vent goes on top for a centre vent? I feel like it's left over right, but is this fixed and is there a reason for it?
Secondly, in reinforcing the hem and vents, should silesia be used all the way along the hem, or only along the vent 'on the bottom', or in some other combination I haven't thought of? Essentially, I'm just wondering how to translate what's in the videos (i.e. pocketing on the 'bottom' part of the vent / only bias tape on the top) to the centre vent sitch.
Finally, I'm sure I should have thought about this earlier, but is the lining done fundamentally differently with a centre vent? Obviously I wouldn't stitch the back lining all the way down the centre-back seam but I'd assume I'd just stop at the vent and then fell the rest.
Thanks!
Not much different to making a side vent, just reinforce the same places. As far as the lining goes, I tend to do it a bit differently to how Rory does - as described in Cabrera, IIRC. Basically, apply reinforcement (either fusible or basted in), sew the back seam down to the top of the vent, fold and press it over, stitch the top of the vent through the outside of the coat. I then like to cross-stitch along the internal edges of the vent folds to keep them in place under the lining. Then snip, fold, and fell lining as desired (it's pretty obvious how to do this once you're at this point).