Sunday, October 31, 2010

JJill Vest - It's Finished

What a difference a week makes!  Seriously, I picked the vest up this afternoon and all of sudden the wider neckline didn't bother me at all.  Actually, the neckline looks rather kewl and trendy.  So I decided it must be finished so that I can wear it to work this week.


Some stats:

Pattern:


Fabric:
2 yds of a patterned knit from Fabric Mart

Notions:
black knit bias binding purchased from Fabric Mart several yrs ago
stay tape
Pro Weft Fusible Interfacing from Fashion Sewing Supply
6 - 7/8" black/white/grey 4 hole buttons from the collection

Inspiration:

JJill Sweater Vest


Pattern Alterations:
The first change was to cut the center front band off the pattern and add a 5/8" seam allowance to it.  I also added the 5/8" seam allowance to the front pattern piece.  I did this to replicate the band that is on the inspiration garment, whereas the pattern has a fold over center front that is emphasized by sewing a line of stitching down one side. 

The second change I made that really altered the look of the piece was that I added 3" to the neckband so that it would match the altered front pieces.  I also did a pivot and slide to the back piece adding an extra two inches at the hipline, because I started with a size 20 pattern and I needed a couple more inches so that the vest would hang comfortably around my body.

Construction:
This is a very easy vest to construct.  There are three main pieces ~ back, front, and neckband.  I considered making a center back seam but decided that it would interfere with the pattern on the knit and I wanted to keep the pattern intact.

Interfacing was added to both center bands and the neckband to help stabilize the fronts.  But I think the most important thing in the construction process was the extensive use of stay tape.  I used it to stabilize the shoulder seams, the neckline before I attached the neckband...


...and on the armholes when I applied the knit binding.  


The stay tape was applied to prevent the knit from stretching out of shape in all of those areas.

The knit binding was sewn to the armholes and the hemline to finish off both areas.  Machine stitched and then hand hemmed to give the inside of the vest a very clean finish.


So even though last week, I was unsure about the neckline...


...tonight I'm loving it with my silk & cashmere black turtleneck.  The fabric has some heft to it making this a great piece to wear during these chilly fall days.

Next up the dress and finally, finally, the Simplicity jacket...more later!

30 comments:

  1. Sometimes you just can't tell how you are going to feel about a project until its completely done, it looks great, very soft and cozy!

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  2. Beautiful! This is an inspiring pattern, I must say. The lines are pretty simple but the outcome is fabulous.

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  3. Very nice indeed! I love the proportions of this vest and the fabric you have used is beautiful. This will be such a great garment for adding a little insulation against those NY chilly winds but still looking very elegant.

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  4. Fantastic jacket. Can't wait to see what you pair it with.

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  5. Awesome! Awesome that you are happier with it now, and I agree it looks fab as it is! Very nice work.

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  6. What a great layering piece. You'll enjoy it when the temps are sub-zero!

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  7. It looks so warm & awesome for the chilly weather we're getting now! That fabric looks perfect for this :)

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  8. Looks great! Sometimes you just have to walk away from a project for a while. A little distance makes one see a little more clearly. I always remind myself of this when something gets too frustrating.

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  9. Great job on the vest. I think it will be great for these cooler days, and as always your finish work is impeccable.

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  10. I think the neck line look great - more comfortable and casual than the JJill model. Good work. And thanks for keeping my clocks in line. But I was looking forward to getting my hour back today.

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  11. Isn't it funny how a few days cam change your perspective? Great vest - love all the little details.

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  12. It looks so warm & awesome for the chilly weather we're getting now! That fabric looks perfect for this :)

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  13. Looks great! For a second, I thought you had just decided to purchase the JJill vest. ;-)

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  14. Love your vest.

    I must admit that I check your blog daily for what you are sewing next. You inspire me so much. I only wish I could sew and fit so nicely. I tried to make a skirt and top yesterday, thought I had it fit nicely, then tried it on in the end and wow...big and the material pattern makes me look even larger than I am. How did you learn so much!

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  15. I think vests are really very very useful, especially if you work in an office environment where the HVAC is sort of inconsistent and a jacket might be just too warm. I have a bunch of vests that I knitted over the years and find them very useful but now that I'm seeing what you've done here, I can see all sorts of possibilities! Looks great and I'm sure you'll get a lot of use out of it.

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  16. Luvit! I am glad you saw this through as you now have a great chilly day garment. That neckline is spot on with what I have seen recently in RTW.

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  17. Super cute! I love the texture of the knit.

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  18. The vest looks great - inside and out. Enjoy wearing it!

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  19. Love it! What are you going to partner it up with? I can't wait to see what you do!

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  20. Great vest, it looks perfect with the turtleneck.

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  21. I think it looks great! Yes, kewl and trendy, but I can see this as a polished office look, but I can also see it with jeans on the weekend.

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  22. The neckline does look pretty cool. And works so well with the turtle neck.

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  23. Glad you found a way to make it work and that you loke it. ( I do too).It's always so disappointing when a garment doesn't live up to it's expectation,butthis one has a happy ending after all!

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  24. Glad that you like the fit. It looks very much like the inspirational piece from J Jill.

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  25. Lovely vest! It looks warm and cozy!

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  26. had to share an idea on your lace dress if you keep the length of the dress as per pattern and add lace to the bottom with cut out motifs sprinkle up the dress. the bottom lace can have a scallop split up one leg with a bit of a train on the back similar to wedding dress but smaller or not hope I conveyed the idea

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  27. The vest came out so nice.You do such a great job adjusting patterns.

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  28. I like your conservative treatment of the pattern with the solid fabric better than I do the Marcy Tilton pattern photos! The fabric reads plain gray from afar, but up close some of the funky patterning comes through. The perfect touch for being trendy but still conservative.

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  29. Sometimes you have to wait until it's finished to really fall in love with it! You did a fabulous job!

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