DIY Winter Waistcoats -- 1st real sewing projects

[sydnie7]

Really like that second pair of hose! And your two vests look very nice, my own stash of fabrics is calling. . .

If you make that vest pattern again, you might look at shortening the shoulder seam just slightly. From the pix, it seems to extend outward past the shoulder seam of your shirts. Gives a kind of "jerkin" look worn solo, which isn't bad, but might bunch up if you tried to put a jacket over them.

That's the kind of thing that can be adjusted beforehand if you make the pattern up first in a muslin or other inexpensive cloth -- just sew the major pieces together and mark them for fitting, length, neckline adjustments, etc. It's a good time investment if you are going to use a new pattern with pricey or one-off material!

[brewerpaul]

Really like that second pair of hose! And your two vests look very nice, my own stash of fabrics is calling. . .

Thanks Sydnie for the compliment on the vests. The kilt hose, or rather shooting socks, came from The Sporting Lodge out of the UK. They have Ebay and web site presence. I really like the hose too and have them in the copper brown shown in the photo, red marl and olive green and a brown tweed with blue stripe. They really are nice and of good quality 80% wool. For the times I do wear pants I wear knickers and hunting breeks so the socks work well there too.

[Nottawayblue]

Brilliant work. I've been contemplating these exact projects as I just can't find a good vest. This may be the final bit of inspiration I needed!

[bonnie heather]

Wow! Your waistcoats are very, very nice! You did a beautiful job and I'm so impressed!

[brewerpaul]

Wow! Your waistcoats are very, very nice! You did a beautiful job and I'm so impressed!

Thank you Bonnie, Im looking forward to finishing two shirts first then taking on a kilt jacket in the Herringbone Tweed.

Brilliant work. I've been contemplating these exact projects as I just can't find a good vest. This may be the final bit of inspiration I needed!

No time like the present to get started. I dont know your sewing experience but mine is advanced beginner at best. I found a few things invaluable:

1) Jennifer, my girlfriend's help
2)Readers DIgest New Complete Guide to Sewing. This book has great reviews and is filled with tons of information on sewing.
3) Sewingista Gallery, This young lady is a delight to listen to and has tons of free videos on sewing technique. I used her video on welt pocket making to make the "real welt pockets" in my vest.
http://www.facebook.com/FashionSewingBlog
4) my years as a wood worker. This actually gives me the ability to look at patterns and visualize what I am making as well as work with measurements and sew a straight line with a machine.
5) And very important is the encouragement, input and help of everyone here on XMarks.


All I can say is go for it, there are plenty of vest patterns out there and most are similar so it is just a matter of picking one. I would encourage making real pockets as opposed to just the decorative welt on the front. Enjoy

[Llama]

Any of suggestions for someone looking to purchase a sewing machine? I know my way around one, so I'm not a complete novice, but I don't know how many of the bells and whistles are worth it.

[sydnie7]

Any of suggestions for someone looking to purchase a sewing machine? I know my way around one, so I'm not a complete novice, but I don't know how many of the bells and whistles are worth it.

Bit of a derail here, but we've had several discussions about sewing machines, mostly in the context of kilt-making but everything said holds true for the accessories such as vests.

Post 5 and beyond

And your exact question

Any more than that, and you really should start a fresh thread.