Quilted Vest From Fabric Samples

 Hello Readers. I have a lot of fabric sample that my mother in law gave me. She used to work at a fabric store and these sample pieces were on display. They are squares and 30" by 30". They are not always big enough to make clothes but I had 2 of these quilted pieces. That was enough for the front and back of the vest. I love quilted items and this quilting was already done for me. 

Sewing from my stash? I love it!

This fabric was a few layers thick because of the quilting. I liked the off-white color. 

I started by using pattern 8632 by Simplicity. I made my vest larger so the pattern was more of a loose guide, but it helped.

This pattern was so simple it was easy to work with.

I put my vest together. I left these small openings so I could add some pockets. I thought that would be easy even with no guide or pattern. It should have been but I sewed the pockets in with the seams showing on the outside. Twice. Ugh!!! It was OK, I just kept going.

I used bias tape on all the cut edges to finish the vest. I didn't want to turn the edges under because it was thick and it would be bulky. It was OK, I just kept going.

The bias tape was great until I ran out. You can see the left armhole is not done. It had to wait for me to get to the store. It was OK, I just kept going.

I used these buttons that my daughter got for me as a souvenir from her trip to Iceland. They are made from bone or antler... I can't remember. I have been wanting to use them for a while. Sewing them on was easy.

I had to make the button holes without a buttonhole maker. I just eyeballed it and used a zigzag stitch. My sewing machine is from 1943 and it doesn't have a buttonhole feature. It is the only thing from modern machines that I wish I had. 

Here is a look at the back. (I did get more bias tape and finished that armhole.) 

It was really OK, I finished it! This vest is very neutral in color. It should go with everything and be easy to wear. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself.

***Year End Update***- This vest is great. I get cold but I hate big winter coats in the car. It's worn often.

It's a Funny Story

 Hello Readers. In the beginning of the year I decided to try and refashion for free all year. I wasn't going to buy anything, even from thrift stores. All the clothes and trims, zippers and hardware had to be from my stash or free somehow. I was only going to buy needles and thread. It is amazing but so far I have done it. I have gotten hand-me-downs. I have worked through my stash. And, strangely enough, I actually found some clothes hanging on a fence when I took my youngest to the dentist. 

Before and after.

 

 Does this happen to other people? Is it just me? There were various clothes hanging nicely on hangers and of course I saw the sign that said "FREE". I took the jeans you see hanging second from the left. 

 

I also got 3 pairs of Banana Republic dress pants. New.With.Tags! I forgot to remove the tags before putting the pants in the washer. Oops!

 

I took my son to his dental appointment and then I took these pants down from the fence, went home and put them in the washer. I am all about the "free" life style but I wash everything right away! Like immediately. Warm water, soap, extra rinse. Every time. 

 

Well, let's talk about today's project. It was quick because I am a crazy busy woman lately. (I had to make pumpkin pies!) I liked these straight leg jeans because they fit pretty well in the hips but they were too long. I did some cutting and hemming. 

 

 

I also made 2 tucks in the back of the waistband to get rid of the gaping waistband in the back that some times happens with jeans. It wasn't a huge change but it is the small things that make you feel good in your clothes.

 Here is the outside view of one of the the tucks I made. .

 

This fabric sample was from my mother-in-law's stash. I wanted to make another scarf. I wanted to use the fabric and it was a small piece. A scarf is all I could think of.

I cut the edging off the fabric. It was nylon thread to keep the edges from fraying. I wanted to make fringe so, it was in my way.  

I pulled the treads off the edges a few at a time until I had fringe all the way around. 

 

 

The threads piled up quickly. It took quite a while.

 

That is it for today. Go make something fun for yourself. 

 

***Chickie's Year End Review- The jeans and scarf were fine basics but didn't change my life.