I tried something new!

One of the dance weekends David and I go to is Balance the Bay in San Francisco. This year's theme is polka-dots. It was easy for me to find something to wear, but I looked and looked for something for David and couldn't even find a vest at Goodwill that I could decorate.

So (WHAT WAS I THINKING) decided to sew a vest. I've knitting many so understand the construction. However, I haven't sewn anything in 20+ years. But since it was going to be a costume and an accessory item, I figured as long as it didn't fall apart while he was dancing, anything I did would be OK.At first I thought, I won't line it. Just sew seams and run a decorative stitch around the raw edges and call it good.

He was really pleased that I was going to do this. So we went and bought the material. It's been sitting here for over a month. I realized that I was not working on this because I was afraid to cut the fabric. But it's only 4 weeks until the dance and 3 of those weekends, I'm totally booked.

So I took today off, was all alone in the house and did nothing but work on the vest.

Here are all the pieces. Notice there is lining for the entire vest PLUS interfacing!!! I did decide not to do the welts or belt.




Here are the fronts WITH darts and interfacing applied!!



The backs!




OK this was the weirdest thing. This is the vest with the shoulders sewn together and with the right sides together. One layer is the vest the other layer is the lining.

You are to sew the whole thing together leaving the sides open. REALLY!! Just like when I learned to knit, when I wasn't sure really what was going on, I just blindly followed the instructions.

Ready to Sew



Then I reached my hand in through the side, through the shoulder and pulled the front OUT! I was shocked. It actually looked good.

Turned Right Side Out


Then I had to muddle around and figure out how you were suppose to close the sides. All I'll say is well they're closed. It doesn't look terrible. But I'm glad it's a costume. LOL

All Done


I'm really proud of myself. See old dogs can learn new tricks. Special Thanks to Amy, who made me the most amazing Victorian Gown, and who I consulted. She told me several things that really help. And just knowing I could call her if I needed to helped me feel assured enough to tackle this.


Oh here is the gown in case you haven't seen it.