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:

Vogue 8676 - A Marcy Tilton 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!