Sunday, October 19, 2025

A Vest

I started this vest in May 2019, y'know in the before times. It began life as a jacket. Then it sat because I had a challenge with the sleeves. I did move this unfinished project with me in 2020 and for the last five years it's been hanging in the sewing loft.


Honestly, it hung there until earlier this spring when I realized that with the weight I've lost it would fit again. By then the sleeves had gone missing and when reassessing, I thought it would make a great vest. Also, the amount of work I had already put into this piece made it hard to let go. 

It's made from a navy linen I bought from Fabric Mart's brick 'n mortar store during a Sew Camp. I added some navy/white gingham scraps to the pocket flaps and back neck facing. I also added navy gingham bias binding to the front facings.

Some of the construction was blogged about back in May 2019.  I'm not gonna send you back there, I'm just gonna share it here. 

First here is a construction picture...


I removed one breast pocket. They just weren't laying right. I did the same thing when I first made jacket so maybe these breast pockets don't play well with my body...or I'm just not skilled enough to get two pockets to lay right on a jacket...whatever! Three works.

When I picked it back up it looked like this...


I did so much work with the topstitching and lining the pocket flaps in navy gingham...



There wasn't much left to complete it. I added bias binding to the armholes to finish them.  Then I added bias binding to the hemline before hand stitching it down.  

Made buttonholes and buttons...then stitched the buttons on.  Finally gave it a good press.

Here are some photos of the finished garment...





It's a great transition piece so glad I added it to my vest collection. I have several more I want to make for fall/winter using actual vest patterns so stay tuned!




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15 comments:

  1. I love it, and I am always happy to see your posts. I am a big fan of vests, especially with pockets!

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  2. This looks great, especially with the striking white shirt.

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  3. Wow, you're on a roll! Loving all these new projects.
    Love the beautiful finishes on this vest. It's a good-looking garment🤍
    Pat in Pretoria 🇿🇦

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  4. Looks fantastic! So glad that you're continuing to blog. We can all relate to ups and downs in our interest in sewing. Theresa (we met on the streets of NYC a few years ago)

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  5. Pretty snazzy, dear Carolyn!! Good for you! --Caroline Beckenhaupt (remember 2019 NYC?)

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  6. Your finishing details are always so exquisite and professional. Your vest looks great on you and it must feel fantastic to turn a UFO from "the Before Times" into a beautiful, wearable finish! I love your label, too, BTW!

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  7. Looks great and very modern - there are some pret-a-porter- things over here in middle europe looking similar.

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  8. Great post! Killstar has the most amazing gothic and alternative fashion, and using a Killstar Coupon Code makes every order even better. Always worth checking for the latest deals before you shop!

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  9. And that looks very smart! Congrats of finishing a marinating UFO. We have like minds as I have been picking up a few vest patterns myself. I picked up some light weight wool and lining material at our annual ASG luncheon on Saturday and cannot wait to dive in. Need to finish my jacket first. You look amazing these days

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  10. What a lovely waistcoat (vest). Sew Ruthie Style, UK

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  11. You probably know this, but sometimes it helps to lay the body of the fabric over a ham and then pin the pocket on top before sewing, to mimic the way it is going to lay on your body...

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  12. Nice save! And beautiful finishing work, the inside seam finishing is lovely.

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  13. It looks great - and it's always nice to finish a project that has been waiting for a long time!

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  14. It's well worth the wait, I also find it hard to give up when I've invested a lot in a project.

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