New Itch to Stitch Vest Pattern...

 Itch to Stitch has a new pdf pattern and it is spot on for fall trends.  It is the vest.  Here is the line drawings:

This is the Magdalena Vet Top pdf pattern.  There are two versions - cropped and high-hip.  Features are:

• Available in multiple cup sizes for a customized fit
• Princess seams on both the front and back for easy shaping
• Buttoned front closure
• Choice of cropped or high-hip length options
• Wide scoop neckline at the front and back
• Finished with bias tape for a clean, polished look
• Designed for medium-weight woven fabrics

Be sure to check out the tester's versions of this vest.  They are wonderful.

This pdf pattern is on sale with 20% off through September 2024.  All volumne discounts still apply.  

I am an affiliate of Itch to Stitch.  If you purchase anything through my links, I will receive a small commision. Thank you.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful and join in a fun trend.  I can see this being a fabulous summer top.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Vest

 I have been hearing a lot about a vest being the thing for fall.  For inspiration photos, go to neiman marcus website and search for vest.  There are just too many variations.  Here are a few patterns to consider:

1.  Butterick - 6901 and 6902 - These are Lisette patterns and also include shorts/pants.  

2.  Merchant & Mills  - The Billy - This is a unisex pattern.  

3.  Venturing to the Simplicity website and searching for vests will result in a large variety of vest styles for the entire family.

4. Style Arc has a variety of vest patterns.

I think that might be a nice start to look for a vest of some sort.  I am going to go through my 100s of patterns and see what may or may not be stashed in there.  Maybe I will find a vest and some fabric.  A vest should be a quick and easy item to stitch up for an up to date look.

Happy Stitching!

New Fabric Means New Projects....

 I have not been too bad this year about purchasing fabric but the stash was increased by two separates pieces so far this month.  Here they are:

My intent for this fabric is the Seychelles Top pattern by Itch to Stitch (affiliate link).  I think this will pretty much be the perfect fabric for this top.  A muslin will need to be done before I can make it.

This is destined to be another vest for my husband.  It will be a repeat of Simplicity 9191.  You can see the first version I made here. The pattern is for a knit and I thought this fabric had 10% stretch which should have been okay.  When the fabric arrived it does not have that much stretch.  I am going to try it any way.  I just need to order some zippers.  I am fairly certain that I have enough ripstop to make the pockets and such.  

How is your sewing and planning going so far for 2021?  My sewing has been slow but there will be some new stuff soon.

Happy Stitching!

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!

Shopping, Shopping, Shopping...

 I really have not done a tremendous amount of shopping this year in person.  Honestly, I would really like to use fabric in the stash but somehow I never have the right fabric.  I visited JoAnn Fabrics to purchase some little ornament kits for a friend's kids.  I try to send them things to do rather than just things.  While I was there, I decided that I would pick some more flannel.  This is what I picked out:

This was a door buster and I purchased 5 yards and they gave me 1 yard.  I don't really need 6 yards but maybe I do.  I intended to make pajamas or lounge wear from this.  As I was leaving I noticed that the Simplicity patterns were on sale, so I returned later in the afternoon and picked up a couple of patterns.  Here is the patterns I choose:

This is Simplicity 9133.  It is a simple pull over blouse  pattern with a couple of necklines and versions with and without sleeves.  I really like the versions D and E.  In looking at the pattern instructions, the same bodice pieces are used regardless of whether it has sleeves or sleeveless.  This would indicate that the sleeveless version needs the armhole raised.  

This is Simplicity 9191 or in my case R10902.  I don't know why there is a difference in the pattern.  Anyone know why that is?  This is a men's vest and jacket pattern.  From time to time, I do sew for the guys in my life and this looks like a nice pattern.  Just got confirmation that DH likes the pattern.  

Who knows I may go back tomorrow and look at some more patterns.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Knit Boucle Vest

Here's a lovely knee-length vest:

This would definitely be a fun extra in the wardrobe.  This is the Soft Boucle Knit Vest w/Patch Pockets & Chain Trim from St Johns Collection.  Price tag:  $1495.00.  To check it out closer go to Neiman Marcus.  This is a knee length vest with patch pockets and trim.  Note that the trim looks like the selvage so you would want to make sure that the desired fabric had a nice selvage.

As far as the pattern goes, any unlined jacket pattern with the correct features should be good.  It would be even better if it was already fitted.  If that doesn't sound good, this pattern would work:

The lapel is missing but you would still end up with a nice sweater vest.  This is the Sweater Coat by Loes Hinse Design.  One of the views has patch pockets. 

Here's one more:

 This is McCall's 7476.  This pattern gives the vest with a slightly different silhouette with the shawl collar and dropped shoulders but it would still be good.

Hope your inspired to make something beautiful.

Happy Sewing!