Fleece Vest - Simplicity 9191 or Simplicity R10902

 I found this pattern with the new releases from Simplicity and it seemed like it would be perfect for my husband:

I did show the pattern to my husband and he said "That perfect.  I was looking for a vest."  So, my impromptu purchase was right on target.  How lucky is that?

With the pattern being approved, I had to decide on fabric.  Although it is always more interesting to look for fresh, new fabric, I decided to check the fleece stash and see what was there.  I found that I had a piece of windpro fleece in navy that was perfect for the pattern.  So sometimes the stash does yield useful fabric.  Here's a glance at the fabric:

Now, this fabric is very heavy/thick which means that I will not being using this fabric as a facing anywhere within the garment.  Searching the local Joann Fabrics online I found a performance fabric that seemed like it would work for facings and such:

The fabric turned out to be a knit fabric which isn't ideal but I'm going to use it.  Testing with this fabric indicated that it will not work for the vest. So, off I went to fabric dot com and found this fabric:

This is a nylon ripstop in black.  

Zippers have been ordered from Etsy.  Finding zippers locally are almost impossible so I didn't even look to see if they had any.  Please note that the pattern states that you need a 26" zipper not that you need a 26" separating zipper.  

The pattern does include some basic sewing techniques for boiled wool, fleece, and knits.  I was surprised to see instructions for removing the seam allowances for the sleeves from the vest pieces.  This is the first time I have seen these instructions in a pattern.  Although I do see instruction for applying interfacing to the fleece, not too sure about this.  With that said, I generally only keep fusible interfacing in my stash.

Here's the finished vest:

The vest turned out rather nice.  My husband likes the vest and is happy to wear it.  

I used plastic zippers for all of the pockets as well as the front zip.  The zip pocket zips would work better with an invisible zipper, I think.  The side pockets are little small to be useful.  They would carry car keys, an id, and maybe a little bit of money but they aren't really big enough to put your hands into.  I will definitely put some notes in the pattern so that I will know in the future what changes should/could be made and that I need to figure out the whole pocket revision.

Happy Stitching!

Happy Christmas Panels...

 At the end of July, I purchased a happy little Christmas panel.  It was a Vintage Christmas panel by Northcott.  Here's an view of the panel:

I got this panel specifically for the apron.  For some reason, my Mom doesn't like the apron I generally use at Christmas.  So, I purchased this thinking she would like it and I could use it around her house.  She liked the truck.  

I needed a fabric to line all the pieces and got this from NZ Productions:

The color is called Mountain Green and with the variation in the color is perfect to go with the panel.  I also needed to purchase In-Sul Brite for the oven mitts.  

I finally got this finished.  Just in time for Christmas.  Here's my versions:

I am happy with my little project.  As always, the panel instructions are minimal but sufficient.

I don't think I will posting again before Christmas.  I have a few gifts that I would like to get finished.  So this will keep me busy for a few days.  I will probably post those items between Christmas and New Years.  Inspiration posts will return with the new year.

Enjoy your holidays!

Happy Stitching!

Lounge Pants...

 Way back in January 2019, I documented making lounge pants for my husband and son from Simplicity 8519.  My son requested another pair this year.  So, what's a Mom to do but make the pants.  I read through the information that I written previously on those particular lounge pants.  I purchased this fabric:

This was a snuggle flannel from JoAnn Fabrics.  It really is a perfect fabric for this type of project but be warned it is narrow.  I purchased 3 yards with the employee giving me the remainder on the bolt which was another yard.  I had 1/3 of  yard left.  After being washed this fabric was 40" wide.  Be aware that this is narrow yardage.

I traced a large, added 3" to the length, lengthened the pockets by 2", and removed the fiddly bits at the front pant opening.  Here are the finished pants with the faux fly:

Happy Stitching!

Seamwork Rhett Jacket...It's Done

 There is nothing like losing the sewjo during a project but I finally finished the Seamwork Rhett Jacket.  Here it is:

I gotta say it "I love this jacket.".  It is all about that fabric.  In fact, I loved this fabric so much I purchased more in two colorways.  Although the jacket is far from perfect, I will wear it with pride. there is a minor tweak I'm going to do to the pockets but I doubt that it will look much different.  

Here's the link to the muslins and the pattern changes:

Round 1 - straight from the pattern

Round 2 - some of the changes.

Round 3 - changes basted into place.

The dress I'm wearing with the jacket is the Seamwork Bertie which you can read about here.  I don't know for sure if I'll be wearing those short boots with the dress.  It doesn't feel like it's quite the right look with the long dress.  I have tall boots as well.

Happy Stitching!