This is another piece for the PR mini-wardrobe contest - Kwik Sew 3813. It seemed that it might have the potential to look like a nice RTW piece, and it did not disappoint - I'm happy with the results :)
Here's the pattern view:
And my finished piece:
(and I know it looks like Spring in my garden, but trust me, I'm STILL appreciating the fleece pieces I've made - it's another grey, chilly, stormy day outside today!)
I used Polartec 200 Fleece ( the green) and a wind & water resistant Malden Mills fabric for the contrast. The contrast is layered over the fleece, so it's a toasty warm covering on the upper torso. The front zipper is a YKK separating zipper. I discovered that it's not so easy finding a good quality 6" zipper! (needed for the welt pocket) After buying a 7" zip & UNsuccessfully trying to undo the zipper end, I ended up doing what I've always done in the past - securing the end with lots of heavy duty thread, hand sewing the zipper end so that nothing (hopefully) will EVER get past it.
Showing the green fleece, & back & front of the WindBloc fabric. Both fabrics are ravel-free; the windbloc is tough - use fresh needles! I had heard that fleece is hard on rotary blades, & sure enough, after this project it was unquestionably time to replace the blade in my rotary cutter!
My favorite part of the whole project - I got to use my brand new labels! I sewed the label on a strip of fleece, reinforced it with ribbon on the back, & sewed the whole strip on to the neck seam before sewing the collar down. I got the labels from Heirloom Woven Labels - they were recommended to me, & I'm happy to say that I can pass on the recommendation :)
The finished label:
One of the details I didn't like was the zipper guard - it had a tendency to curl at the top, & when it did that it just looked wrong, so I trimmed it. I also serged all of the inside seams (I really don't like unfinished seams, even if the fabric is non-fraying) Here's the original curve on the zipper guard:
And after I trimmed it. I used a decorative stitch along the edge of the fleece to give it a bit more stability - the stitching is subtle, but I like the look.
The upper welt pocket is zippered. I added a zip pull with a strip of fleece. I discovered that if you cut a strip of fleece & stretch it out, you end up with a strong, thin bit that you can use for embellishment, & even use it as really thick thread! This strip happens to be a serged edge that got trimmed, & I added a bead I had by hand sewing the bead on to the end. I took a bit of a risk by doing all of my topstitching in green, which gives a nice pop to the blackish fabric (and also, of course, shows every little waver.....)
Some views of the finished vest, zipped, unzipped, etc:
Bottom Line? Wonderful pattern!!! I will sew the jacket version too, & I'm sure this will get a lot of wear (it is already!) This is one of those pieces that surprises people when they find out it's homemade...don't you just love that?
Next up: View C of the Marcy pants (almost done, in fact!)
8 comments:
Really cute, Jilly! You really have the knack for making great pieces and choosing great fabric(s).
Thank you shams! Coming from you, that really means a lot :) :) :)
Very cute vest! I love those labels, I might have to get some of those. :]
Thanks Rebecca! I've added a link to the company I ordered my labels from :)
Oh, wow---just great. And love the labels; they are so professional looking.
A suggestion for those who have machines which have alphabets is to embroider your wording on ribbon and use that as a label.
Thanks Gloria! Yes, if I had embroidery options, I wouldn't have ordered labels, but I really do love mine!
Great vest, all the details are so professinal and the label is perfect.
Love your jacket! Thanks for the info on the labels!
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