I made the TV405 and found it quite easy to put together. I made it in a 14 hour sewing marathon. Since you have a week to make it I think it would be easy enough to add the piping. If you really don't want to make your life difficult just leave them out - the vest looks great without it.

Here's my diary blog on it. http://dressdiary.blogspot.com/2010/02/tv405-1872-vest-basque.html