Sunday, April 28, 2019

Simplicity 8265 - A Ponte Vest

One of my goals this year was to add more toppers to my wardrobe. I love wearing vests and wanted more of them in my wardrobe. The ones featured in the post above are worn quite frequently during the spring, fall and winter (except for the brown herringbone which was purged during the great donation). They are a great multi-season garment.

I bought Simplicity 8265 strictly for the vest pattern. I loved the dart detail on the front though I'm not so happy about no closures on the front. I'm starting this journey with the largest size available in this pattern, a size 24. The finished hip measurements are 58" so I will need to do some slashing and spreading to get the garment to work.


We're heading into spring and warmer weather here on the East Coast in the USA and I was going to put this away until fall.  Then I saw Marica's version and realized that this would still work on the cooler spring days. So I went ahead and finished mine. This was cut out in February like the Pink Bow Tie Blouse so it's great finally getting both projects done.

Materials Used ~
- 3 yards gray ponte knit from Fabric Mart so collection fabric!!!
(purchased before 2015 because that's the last invoice on file at their site and this invoice number is lower)

Pattern Alterations ~
The front, back and facing piece were shortened to 37" because I wanted a knee length vest.

I increased the front piece to 31" around at the hipline by adding 1/2" to the side. Then slashing and spreading the pattern adding 1/2" in the center front.


The same alterations were done to the back. I did NOT add to the center back seam because I was concerned it would throw off the way the vest hung but ended up added a 1/4" for just a little more space. Hoping that won't greatly alter the way the vest hangs.


Using 1/2" seam allowances, this gives me a finished measurement of 61" which is 3" wider than my sitting hip measurements.

Construction Info. ~
This is an easy to construct garment and I made no significant changes to the construction. I lightly glanced at the instruction sheet because easy garment.

-  I added some topstitching to the pocket openings on the vest fronts.
-  The facings were serge finished and then stitched flat
-  I omitted the armhole facings because why?
-  And the facings aren't interfaced. Maybe if my fabric was lighter but I saw no need with the medium weight ponte. 

Pictures of the finished vest ~




Conclusion ~
This was a quick and easy sew. Even though I originally planned to add a closing on the front, I finished this without one. And now here's the twist, I don't like it. I don't like the way it hangs. I don't like the fact that it doesn't close in the front and that the opening is really wide. It's not how I thought it would be. If you look in the picture above, the pocket is gaping. Without moving in the right way, pulling and tugging on the vest, it just fits horribly.

I'm getting ready to put together a donation pile soon because I'll be changing my winter wardrobe over to my spring one.  This is going into the donation pile. It doesn't work the way I want it to and I'm not holding onto it hoping for the best. 

I know it seems like bloggers only share the winners or the amazing garments, this is a dud FOR ME! It has nothing to do with the pattern and all to do with it not being the right style for ME. This is supposed to be a loose-fitting type vest. Mine is closer fitting and so not the silhouette I wanted.  Okay hopefully I've stressed that enough so y'all won't leave comments about how I should keep it. Ain't gonna happen.

So what's up next...I'm working on another Dover Jacket. I bought the fabric from Metro Textiles and was totally enthralled with it so it didn't even make it to the shelves.

...as always more later!


   









22 comments:

  1. Hi Carolyn, I agree with your assessment of the vest. It doesn't scream free and easy, it is shouting I hang funny and annoy my owner. Life is too short to be uncomfortable!

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  2. I think you look lovely and I know the feeling when you don't "love" the garment you just made. I had TWO duds this past week. Keep sewing! Thanks for posting a dud sew, we're all human, we just move on. Happy Sewing!

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    Replies
    1. Bonnie - I think we should share the duds more often. So many of us have them. I try to cut down on mine by using TNT patterns.

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  3. Nice pattern... But yeah I agree. So what now? You give the garment it's freedon, but what happens to the pattern? Do you give up on it, or try again with some changes, or a different garment from the pattern?? Purely intereted... I tend to throw it away, give up in defet....

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    Replies
    1. I haven't decided because I don't HATE the pattern...not like some other duds I've made!

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  4. We all have a project that in the end it just does not work. With donating it, someone will find a nice garment that works for them.

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    Replies
    1. Right Linda. I just have to get some size labels so when it goes into the donation pile, they will know what size it is.

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  5. I totally get what you are saying! But oh my goodness, you are so good at putting an outfit together! I love how you paired it with that blouse, and I love those shoes! And your smile!
    I have had so many duds, that's why I quilt now and seldom sew clothes for myself. You have motivated me to keep trying, though! Thanks for sharing that it happens to everyone....even talented sewists like you!

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    Replies
    1. Joansy - that's how I saw it in my head before I started sewing it. And probably the reason I dislike it so because it doesn't look like what I saw in my head!

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  6. Those blossoms are spectacular and make such a good background for your pics. I am glad you talk about the projects that don't work out. It makes me feel better about mine.

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  7. Thanks for sharing this. We all have frustrations with sewing adventures that just don't come out the way we've planned. It's all part of the journey and learning curve.You inspire me to just keep learning, enjoy the process and not be overly hard on myself.

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    Replies
    1. Sk51 - even designers have garments that don't work. Not everything can be a superstar.

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  8. I made a dolman sleeved dress that I hated even while it was under construction. I tried it on, took a picture, and put it in the donation bag. Then I made a brown dress from a pattern I've used and like, but I didn't love the fabric, so after one wearing, it's in the donation bag, too. I'm with you; don't keep things you don't love around. It doesn't matter if others do, because you're the one who has to wear it.

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    1. Marjie - thanks for understanding! It really does happen to all of us!

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  9. Your honest assessment for every project is what makes you You. Thanks for keeping on and being yourself. And for generously giving away so someone will enjoy.

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  10. I hate when I have a dud and tend not to blog them at all. I think some ponte tends to be 'sticky' and you constantly have to fuss with your clothes - I hate that! I would be in the donation pile for me too. Also, the interesting dart detail is lost in the fabric. g

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  11. I love your analysis of this. I think we've all made something with the same result. God knows I have.

    Between the blouse and the blossoms, I didn't really register the vest at all (and can you blame me? WOW blouse and eyepopping blossoms). My office uniform WAS vest vest vest (too warm for a cardi, too cool to go without) and even when I knew I would rarely fasten them in front, I wanted them to be cut to look like they would be fastened (like a suit jacket left unbuttoned). I do like how a vest pulls stuff together (or tones it down) and of course POCKETS. And something to pin the badge to. Instantly dressed up for a meeting and room for a pack of breath mints. And a pen cause who else carries one? It's still one third of my interview uniform.

    I need another one!

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  12. I really do like the blouse+vest but also get when a perfectly fine garment just doesn't work for YOU.

    Moving right along!!

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    1. K - I think it's just the wrong vest and blouse combo. I haven't given up on this look, it's just this pattern that doesn't work for me!

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  13. Such a pity - the grey patterned ponte looked reaaly nice. Looking at the pattern cover the vest appears to meet at the front so thats a bit deceptive. Your friends hot pink vest also doesn't meet at the front but i suppose the colour and the length of the vest matching the length of her dress makes it work. I hope you find a vest pattern that suits your needs. I have made a couple of these longer line vests and I love them as a cover up.

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