Kwik Sew Sleeveless denim jacket 3618

Oh, I have made this sleeper pattern before.  This time however I wanted to make this pattern work for me.  My previous version was super cute but a bit too roomy through the shoulders.  Luckily it fit my mother perfectly and I have seen her wear it multiple times!



I love this pattern and the look of the final garment.  My first version was it red denim and dang, it was just a bit too broad in the shoulders for me.  Luckily it fit my mother perfectly and she's worn this numerous times.

This pattern is obviously for a sleeveless vest.  It has classic jean jacket styling with the multiple panel seaming for front and back.

I had to make some alterations to get this to fit how I wanted to.  Now that I've done that I am very happy with the fit.

I ended up making the same size I used that was a bit too large for me in the shoulder area.  I knew I had to take those areas in and make a few other adjustments just because I knew that I had a vision for how I wanted this to fit.  

  

For starters, I graded between 2 sizes for the bust and shoulder area.  For the hips and waist, I graded down between 1 and  2 sizes.  Isn't that the beauty of making your own clothes?  You can do what you want with a pattern.

Based on the first time I made this, I knew the shoulders would extend further than I wanted them to so I shifted the seam allowance for the armscye binding.  I mentioned earlier that I wanted this to have a closer fit in the torso than my first version.  I took the seam allowances in from the armscye to the waist 1.5 inches on each side for a total of 3 inches.  I knew I should have started with a smaller size!  I also knew I'd never button this, ever.

I do think it would button, but that isn't the function of this garment.

In case you were wondering those pockets are functional

  

I love that feature!  My only real deviation from the design is due to personal preference.  I don't enjoy slip-stitching part of the neckline into the neckband so it looks neat and tidy. I rarely see this on ready to wear.  When I use a heavier fabric such a denim, I will use a bias binding to cover the seamline on the collar section where it attaches to the front and back bodice.  It is super easy to do this if you haven't tried it before.  Next jacket I make I will try and show this super easy technique!

I always appreciate your reading and I love your comments!

Sue :)  

A long vest...in denim

I've had my eye on this vest pattern for a long time.  Why?  Well, I love the lines and I love wearing layers.



See what I mean?  How does StyleArc keep making these amazing designs?  Here is how the pattern is described on StyleArc's site: This forward trend of a long line vest will become a great addition to your wardrobe as it can be worn at anytime of the year as a layering piece. The vest is unlined. The pockets can have fashionable metal exposed zips if desired or just left as in seam pockets.

I used a mid-weight denim for my vest that's been in my stash for about a year now.  While that isn't horribly long, I try to only purchase fabrics I love and want to use immediately, so now sure how these ended up in a forgotten location.

I decided to have only one pocket and to leave the pockets sans exposed zips.  Why?  I couldn't find any locally I liked.  I suppose I could have shelved this garment until I found some but I must have been feeling very impatient that day.  

I like this better unbuttoned than buttoned.  As you can see, the facing is nice and wide so the vest looks nice when worn open.  

You can sort of see how this vest does not have side seams by side darts to give it shaping.  I really like the shawl type collar.  It rolls so nicely.  See the back mid-section?  It looks too big but that is how this is designed with a rather rectangular shape.  Honestly, I don't mind it at all.  

Here is an 'action' shot.  Sorry it's a bit blurry!  This was fun to make.  I wish I could have gotten DH to take more photos but he was growing a bit impatient.

Thanks for reading!

Sue