I've followed the monthly "Sew Your View" sew-alongs on Instagram almost from the beginning. Every month I see the new pattern chosen and while I love the finished garments, the pattern doesn't appeal to me for one reason or another.
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For February, they chose McCalls 7912 and I thought finally a pattern that fits my lifestyle!
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After thinking about it, I pulled a denim and faux leather combo from my fabric collection to make my version. So I'm already ahead because I used fabric from the collection! Yes!!!
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Supplies ~
Denim from the collection
Faux leather purchased from Emmaonesock December 2015 (you can find other faux leathers here)
Denim bias binding from Pacific Trimmings
Pattern Alterations ~
I didn't have to make a lot of alterations to the pattern. The finished hip measurement was 57" and this would close on me standing up but pull on me sitting. So I added some space from the waistline down.
- added 1/2" to the front side seam
- pivot and slide to back piece to add 3" at the hipline
- then added 1/4" to the back side seam.
This gave me a finished hip measurement of 65" which is more than enough room.
Construction ~
The construction changes I made were:
1. I used bias tape on the armholes instead of turning under and stitching down as the pattern instructs.
2. I added bias binding to the side seams and hong kong finished them.
3. Bias binding was also added to the hemline.
4. Topstitching was put in a lot of places to add some interest. The only thing is that I topstitched in navy thread because I didn't want to take away from the faux leather accents.
5. The faux leather accents were used on the pockets and upper collar.
6. I used the teflon foot for my sewing machine when sewing the faux leather to the denim.
Sequins are currently the rage in the online sewing community. Sequins are right up there with ruffles for me, not my thing. But give me a good faux leather and I'm a happy sewist! So my vest is a faux leather, denim and lace thing because I added the pinstriped lace shirt I made in 2017...which is so my jam!
A few sewing tips for sewing with faux leather ~
- I used a teflon foot to sew the pleather to the denim pieces. The teflon foot glided over the fabric so easily.
- Also I used pins all the way through. If a pin leaves a hole, I just smooth it out by hand.
- And I use a steam iron to press the seams open and flat. However, I do use my organza press cloth folded over several times so that I don't melt the faux leather...but the steam does make the faux leather pliable so I can manipulate if if need be.
- The clapper was my friend. Again used the organza press cloth to protect the faux leather when using the clapper on the lapel.
A Few More Pictures ~
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It took me awhile to take photos of this make because while I thought the crud was gone, I was still coughing and feeling lousy. Also as you will see in my next post, I've been crocheting my life away.
Finally, I'm not sure about this make. One, I hate belts on me. I know others probably have a different take but this is my personal view. Alongwith that I didn't make the belt from the pattern. I've taken the belt from my denim coat because I'm not sure about the belt.
Two, I'm not sure I really like this style. I'm more a set in sleeves girl and the sleeve flanges kinda irk me. I will probably wear it and with another shirt because I think there's just too much going on in these pictures. But this vest won't be a favorite. It was fun, however, to work with the faux leather, which I have ALOT of in the collection.
So next up on the blog is my discussion of how I've spent the last three months crocheting...
...as always more later!
For February, they chose McCalls 7912 and I thought finally a pattern that fits my lifestyle!
After thinking about it, I pulled a denim and faux leather combo from my fabric collection to make my version. So I'm already ahead because I used fabric from the collection! Yes!!!
Supplies ~
Denim from the collection
Faux leather purchased from Emmaonesock December 2015 (you can find other faux leathers here)
Denim bias binding from Pacific Trimmings
Pattern Alterations ~
I didn't have to make a lot of alterations to the pattern. The finished hip measurement was 57" and this would close on me standing up but pull on me sitting. So I added some space from the waistline down.
- added 1/2" to the front side seam
- pivot and slide to back piece to add 3" at the hipline
- then added 1/4" to the back side seam.
This gave me a finished hip measurement of 65" which is more than enough room.
Construction ~
The construction changes I made were:
1. I used bias tape on the armholes instead of turning under and stitching down as the pattern instructs.
2. I added bias binding to the side seams and hong kong finished them.
3. Bias binding was also added to the hemline.
4. Topstitching was put in a lot of places to add some interest. The only thing is that I topstitched in navy thread because I didn't want to take away from the faux leather accents.
5. The faux leather accents were used on the pockets and upper collar.
6. I used the teflon foot for my sewing machine when sewing the faux leather to the denim.
Sequins are currently the rage in the online sewing community. Sequins are right up there with ruffles for me, not my thing. But give me a good faux leather and I'm a happy sewist! So my vest is a faux leather, denim and lace thing because I added the pinstriped lace shirt I made in 2017...which is so my jam!
A few sewing tips for sewing with faux leather ~
- I used a teflon foot to sew the pleather to the denim pieces. The teflon foot glided over the fabric so easily.
- Also I used pins all the way through. If a pin leaves a hole, I just smooth it out by hand.
- And I use a steam iron to press the seams open and flat. However, I do use my organza press cloth folded over several times so that I don't melt the faux leather...but the steam does make the faux leather pliable so I can manipulate if if need be.
- The clapper was my friend. Again used the organza press cloth to protect the faux leather when using the clapper on the lapel.
A Few More Pictures ~
It took me awhile to take photos of this make because while I thought the crud was gone, I was still coughing and feeling lousy. Also as you will see in my next post, I've been crocheting my life away.
Finally, I'm not sure about this make. One, I hate belts on me. I know others probably have a different take but this is my personal view. Alongwith that I didn't make the belt from the pattern. I've taken the belt from my denim coat because I'm not sure about the belt.
Two, I'm not sure I really like this style. I'm more a set in sleeves girl and the sleeve flanges kinda irk me. I will probably wear it and with another shirt because I think there's just too much going on in these pictures. But this vest won't be a favorite. It was fun, however, to work with the faux leather, which I have ALOT of in the collection.
So next up on the blog is my discussion of how I've spent the last three months crocheting...
...as always more later!
