DIY Winter Waistcoats -- 1st real sewing projects

[brewerpaul]

Greetings all,

Been busy trying to learn to sew, with lots of help from Jennifer, and here is the 1st real results. Of course I did the obligatory apron and baggy flannel pants as a first step in messing up a stitch and then made a few surgical caps for work. These are just a rectangle and circle sewed together but seem to amaze everyone at work. After that I decided, with a bit of Jennifer's input, to do a waistcoat/vest. Found a nice pattern on Ebay and some rather nice vintage wool tweed fabric. The whole idea was to buy enough to do the waistcoats and then, after sewing a couple shirts together, making some kilt jackets. All in time but the waistcoats are done, and have been worn, and one shirt is in the making. Included are photos of the finished products and a closeup of the fabric. The first was the herringbone fabric and I went straight by the pattern. This meant fake welt pockets. Got the idea to put real pockets in the second one and read in my big Simplicity sewing book and found some good vids on the web and put in welt pockets in the second one. Button holes are hand sewn so that was also a fun learning experience.


First the surgical cap that seems to amaze my co-workers




Vest 1 in dark black and gray herring bone. This one only has fake welt pockets



Close up of the fabric, cost me 18 dollars for over 4 yards 60" wide




Vest 2 which has real pockets



Close up, you can see the red and blue threads in with the black and gray. Again over 4 yards for about 12 dollars



The back of the second vest, yes it has the back strap that is mostly decorative. Both vests are lined with black cotton/poly material.



Both vests side by side. They fit well for a stock pattern and look quite nice. Photos of me kilted wearing them will follow.

[California Highlander]

Great job and very inspiring! I really like the tweed pattern in the second vest.

[Truitt]

Very nice work!

[David Thorpe]

Nicely done. I like the top-stitched edges and those welt pockets are not easy.

[Standard]

Nice job, looks just right for a chilly day like today!

[Kennedy]

A very fine job waistcoat, indeed!

[MizzouScotsman]

Outstanding!! I have been wanting a good tweed waistcoat. May have to take up the needle and thread myself.

[unixken]

Very nicely done.

[sydnie7]

Those are very nice, especially considering your experience level! We've discussed sewing vests here a fair bit, and have put forth some patterns that do not have front darts for shaping -- makes it easier to match the welt to the front, etc.

I like the full-wool back if you are wearing these without a jacket. Once a jacket goes on, consider using a silky (satin finish) matching material for the back -- can be same as your lining, or a heavier version of your lining -- means the jacket will not "hang up" on the wool in back, plus more comfortable in warm rooms/warmer days.

Welcome to the DIY addiction!

[AKScott]

These look great. Thanks for another dab of motivation.