Men's Grey Suede Vest

Pattern: Simplicity 2870

Supplies: Grey suede from joanns, lots of interfacing, black buttons from stash (one doesn't match, shh!) back buckle from stash, and black lining from the insides of recycled garments. :-)

This project was for my youngest brother, Nathanael.  I bought the fabric for it for him for his birthday last year and consulted him on some design elements, made a sketch, and completely forgot about it.  So did he. :-)  Which was nice, because I made it as a surprise over Christmas and he was really happy with it on Christmas afternoon.

I went for the more modern look with the rounded bottoms and straight back with the buckle to adjust the size.  In his own words (to somebody else, so they really count :-) he said he was really surprised at how well made it was.  So I guess you could take that a couple different ways, but it meant he thought is was high quality and something he would buy at a store.  

Kara's Grey Pinstripe Vest

Hey!  This is Kara.  Kara is a VERY good friend.  In fact, her whole family is like a second family to me.  We were just up there for a week and a half and I was able to finish this vest I started for her a month or so ago.

I used Simplicity 2556, view c with a collar and 2 "pockets"

The grey pinstripe suiting I got on sale at Joann Farbics, and I believe the buttons came form there too...  the vest is lined the leftover pink broadcloth from the underskirt of my Masquerade dress.  The interfacing is far too stiff, but I had it laying around.  She loves it anyway. :-)  She even wore it in the film we made while we were up there.  So my name will probably be in the credits as part of costuming. :-)  Hey, gotta start somewhere, right?

This vest was actually very easy to make.  As usual, cutting out the pieces was the hardest part. :-)  Matching grains and making sure everything is straight is especially hard when I have an obvious stripe. 

Four black buttons... they are actually harder to place than I thought they might be.  Making the button-holes was SO much fun.

Speaking of buttonholes... THIS is a good use for them. :-)  

The "welts"

And the back...

We added a hook-n-eye because my buttons weren't  exactly right... :-)  Shhh!

And the lining...  Both side seams has to be hand sewn so the outside looks good. :-)

Double Breasted Eggplant Dress Vest

What a mouthfull!  And what a lot of fun.  Other than the boys doublets, and tunic/blouse thing I haven't made any men's clothes.  Well, the Masquerade ball was coming up and I knew I would be making my dress, so I asked Hud if he wanted me to make him a costume too.  To my surprise, he said that would be nice. :-)  Originally I was thinking along the lines of the Phantom and Raul from "The Phantom of the Opera" with the frilly shirt cool waistcoats and capes etc.  As time went on however, I realized that just a vest, and one that could be worn again in "real life" was more in order.  So I double checked the color with Hud and ordered extra fabric when I bought it for my dress.

Pattern:

Simplicity 4762

We chose the look with the lapels.

Materials:

Eggplant elegance taffeta from Fabric.com

Generic black lining fabric scrap that was lying around

faux black suede with interesting embroidery scrap

metal buckle from joanns

4 random buttons from the downstairs collection. :-)

No, they don't match. :-)  At least they are the same color and size. 

Hud sort of like the spontaneous and use what you got style, so it works.

The buttonholes weren't perfect, the under-stitching hand done and the back V rather sloppy, but I love how it turned out.  I also like the added detail of the hidden button helping to hold things together.

After I had finished basic construction and pulled the sides through the shoulders we had to leave for prayer meeting.  When we got back we had people over and were snacking and playing cards, so I decided to do my under-stitching.

  Hudson fitted the vest and said "So what about your insignia"

"Huh?"

"You know, the tag thing or emblem that says it was made by you.  The thing that shows you made it."

"I don't have one yet!  That is called branding and it takes lots of thought."

"Well, you at least have to have a pocket!"

(This all said with a little sarcasm on both sides)

I sketched for a bit, then told him to draw what he would like in the vest.  So he drew this cursive type j and k thing.  

that is what I used. :-)

The back.  

And yes, I know the buckle and buttons are not the same color.

This project was surprisingly easy.  It only took probably 4 hours start to finish.  The longest part was lining up the buttons and buttonholes.

These pictures were taken the day after the masquerade, but her wore it to his solo recital (see previous post) so I was able to get nice photos. :-)