Made by a Fabricista: The Versatile Vest

Happy Saturday and Happy Easter All!

Have you ever had your sewing plans all laid out, pattern cut and then something better came to mind? I felt like these past three weeks I was a bit overwhelmed because everything that I planned on making was sidelined after seeing another inspiration photo from Pinterest or Instagram? This is exactly what happened with this beautiful crepe fabric that I used to create this vest.

When I selected this crepe suiting fabric a few months ago, the first thing that came to mind was a jacket. Unfortunately, this color is sold out but here is another beautiful vibrant color for Spring/Summer or the classic neutral here. I chickened out dreading the task ahead to jump into making a tailored jacket. Moreover, knowing me, I would rock it once or twice during spring or summer and then let it sit for months in my closet.

I scrapped that project and then settled on tailored pants, selected the pattern and was ready to cut. I struggled back and forth as I have created so many palazzo pants over the past year and did not want to add another. Right at the last minute, I decided to create a VEST with pockets that I always wanted to add to my classic pieces that I can rock and style all year long.

The pattern I selected to create this classic vest is Simplicity 8265 (VIEW E), which is a great wardrobe builder.

I absolutely fell in love with the design lines of the coat or vest, especially the front darts. The is a great beginner project and the vest or jacket is not lined but can be.

To create the vest, the instructions are straightforward and no adjustments were needed for the size I cut (Size 12). The only changes I made was eliminating the side slit.

Here are a few tips when making this VEST based on the facing pieces!

The pattern did not state to understitch the facing but I always do it with any garment that has a facing. This helps so much with ensuring that it lays flat.

To secure the neck and shoulder facing, stitching them down (stitch in the ditch) in the shoulder seams will help.

For the most part, the armhole and neck facing laid flat after stitching my facing in the seams at both shoulders, sides, and center back.

Working to ensure that the inside of my finish garment looks just as beautiful as the outside.

I plan to wear this over a bodycon dress, with jeans and heels during the spring and summer months.

I know for sure this will be on heavy rotation as the color is perfect this time of year. I am happy with the final fit and plan to rock it all year long.

Thank you so much for reading and be sure to let me know how you would rock this VEST! Don't forget to stop by my Instagram page or by my blog to check out my 2019 first quarter makes.

One Love,
Marica - Overdriveafter30

Made By A Fabricista: A Tipsy Martini Transitional Three Piece Look

Hello Sewing Friends! It’s Sharon with Sharon Sews with my latest Fabricista make – a three-piece set I can wear as the weather transitions to fall here in Texas. It may look like a summer outfit but there will days filled with sunshine and high temps well into November. At first glance it looks like a nice, lightweight jacket, top and pants. But look closer – it’s sewn from the designer Tipsy Martini cotton sateen that was originally used by the designer for a pajama set. Now I could have sewn myself a pair of pajamas using the Closet Core Carolyn Pajama pattern (available at Fabric Mart) and replicated the designer pajamas. But if I had gone that route the only ones who would have seen this adorable kitschy fabric would be my family. This print is much too cute to hide out at home. This Tipsy Martini cotton sateen fabric was lovely to sew. I used black thread, an 80/12 universal needle, and Palmer/Pletsch Perfect Fuse Medium interfacing (link here). Note that this is a rayon fu

Made By A Fabricista: Hooray for Cozy Fall Sews!

Greetings, all! I am in such high spirits with the best-of-all-seasons just beginning and change is finally in the air. I always rejoice when the sweatiest time of the year passes and we can all take a deep breath and gear up for cozier times. Neighborhood Patterns is a new-to-me designer, and I came across them on Instagram in late summer and fell in love with the Plain Jane Skirt. This is such a simple A-line skirt, but with nice details like large inseam pockets and an optional drawstring, and though I’m sure I could draft this style myself, the appeal of having it all done for me was too tempting to pass up. A sew such as this is a lovely palate-cleanser and this was the first project I sewed after returning from a cross-country trip. Perfect! The gorgeous plaid flannel is exactly what I want to be wearing in the fall. The fabric is SO soft and a pleasure to snuggle up in. Because flannel does not have much body and is prone to stretching or shifting with all its mechanical give,

Made By A Fabricista: Quilted Jacket Chronicle

What do you get when mixing the best things about apparel sewing and machine quilting? A quilted jacket! It's funny that I elected to sew myself a quilted jacket for this Fabricista blog because I don't consider myself much of a quilter. I can count on my hands the number of quilted projects I've made over the last few years. While I fully appreciate the end product of quilting, I don't normally gravitate toward starting quilting projects. That's why making a quilted jacket is a new and exciting project for me! It gives me the fun of making a quilt on a much smaller scale. If you are an avid apparel sewist and are new to quilting, this is the perfect project to take for a quilting test drive! For my quilted jacket, I used the Seamwork Easton Jacket pattern. I decided to stick with a solid-colored fabric for the jacket's exterior and ordered 4 yards of Dark Umber Brown Lycra Stretch Canvas Suiting from the Fabric Mart website. I wanted a contrasting color for the

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