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: Valentine’s Day Cozy Lounge Set

What comes first: the pattern or the fabric? How do you make your sewing plans? Throughout the month of January, my social media feeds were flooded by fabulous sewists sharing sewing resolutions and goals, and designing thoughtful plans for their 2025 makes. While I am a big planner in my day-to-day life, when it comes to my creative hobby, I am much more spontaneous. I find that fabric design and texture often inspires me most so I typically look for fabulous prints or bold colors and let the fabric tell me what it wants to become. As I turned my attention to my first-ever (!) Fabricista make, I wanted something to get my creative juices flowing. One evening, Fabric Mart shared an Instagram story that highlighted their Dusty Mauve Sweatshirt Fleece . It had a nice stretch, was fleece-backed, and was a muted baby pink that spoke to me. It was soft and feminine, perfect for a cozy day or night by the fire. I immediately knew I wanted to make a cute pair of sweatpants for a fun Vale...

Made by a Fabricista: Fun Fabrics

I am so happy to still be a part of the Fabricista Blogger Team. I joined in the middle of the pandemic and have really enjoyed myself as a blogger. Fabric Mart has truly been my go to place for shopping for fabulous fabrics that reflect my style. I love that I get to shop deadstock fabric that will help give fabrics additional lifespan and fabric is typically limited quantities so you will be part of the few with that fabric. As someone who is big on individuality this is such a plus for me. Can we also talk about the great sales that Fabric Mart runs? I literally stalk the site daily to find new fabrics and catch the featured sales. During one of my daily visits to the site I came across this gorgeous corduroy fabric with a unique animal print. At the time I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to make with it but I just knew I had to use this for my next featured make. I was also able to get matching thread, another...

Made By A Fabricista: Sewing + Running

It’s not every day that I get to mix two of my favorite hobbies. Especially when one hobby is sewing and the other is running. You can’t sew and run at the same time, but, you can go running in something that you sewed! With this realization, I embarked on my first hobby-merging adventure. We’ve had some frigid temperatures in Pennsylvania this winter. Since I’m an outside, stroller-pushing runner, I bundle up my son and myself before I hit the road. The temperature feels 20 degrees warmer for outside runners than the outside air. For the children being pushed in the stroller though, it feels about 20 degrees colder. With these differences in temperature for each of us, layering is the only thing that ensures that we both stay perfectly warm. My running wardrobe has been lacking a warm top layer. My son’s wardrobe would also benefit from having another warm layer, so I knew pullovers were what I should make. Inspired by a name-brand ¼ button-down fleece pullover I saw,...

Fabric Mart Fabricistas

Search This Blog