Baja Susana has entered the contest!
This is my entry #1. I may enter a second item.I just accepted an offer on my house and may not have time to sew anything else.
The pattern is Lutterloh supplement 315 pattern 125 from the most recent release.
I am also showing off my label sewn into the side of the contrast trim.
It is a duster length vest with a gathered blouson waist and contrast trim. It also is pictured with patch pockets. I did not like the look of the pockets , so I left them off.
The main purple and black "cheetah" print is a poly chiffon. The contrast trim ois a cotton Lycra knit. I chose it because it would give a crisper finish and keep the vest from looking like a sack.
Here are views of the finished garment that is perfect for wearing with jeans . The vest ups the style of the jeans but is not heavy and stiff for shopping. (note:Sears is a high end store here)
And with a change of clothes to elegant black and the addition of a scarf this vest becomes high style and ready for cocktails at 8:00.
The bodice and skirt are both gathered and with the addition of a belt it becomes a blouson. This is not my favorite look. But I have shown it above belted to illustrate the blouson effect.
Here are a back and side view to show the gathers.
I basted all of the seams and then used a four thread overlock stitch on my serger. To finish the armholes, hem and scarf I used a narrow rolled hem. Since I did not have any French nuns around to hand stitch the hems, I used the rolled hem foot on my sewing machine to finish the armholes, hem and scarf. Once you master this technique it is so much fun to do. This is a more professional and higher end finish than a rolled hem on a serger. Here is an image of the vest armhole and a closeup of the stitching. And I would have lost time liberating the nuns from their heavy, hot habits, and sticking them in bikinis and teaching them to surf!
I am very pleased with this garment. I am going to a fancy fundraiser for our dog rescue and I shall wear it.
I really had no issues with this project. The polychiffon could have been a nightmare, but it was very cooperative.
This appears to be a simple garment, but it took a lot of time. I sewed slowly to keep the fabric under control.
I uses the straight stitch needle plate on my machine. that eliminated the machine gobbling up the fabric at the start of a seam.
I hope that you like my vest as well as I!