Vest conversion

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

I know I've been a bit of a disappointment in the DIY department for the last 6-12 months or so. I just can't seem to find a lot of motivation to sew. Any large project looks too overwhelming, so I never get started.

That said, this was certainly NOT a large project.

Panache has a very nice navy bluish pinstriped vest that he is never going to wear, unless it can be worn with a kilt, so I finally deigned to fix it for him today (he's been begging, whining and otherwise making a nuisance of himself for the last month, so I got tired of it, and instead of killing him, I made the conversion).

Here's the original vest:



Marked for cutting:



At this point, I sent him out to buy crickets for the lizard, because it makes him nervous whenever I cut things. It used to make me nervous too, but now I figure, he'll just go find another vest at the thrift store for 50 cents if I ruin this one.

No stress, just cut:



I folded in the new edges and pinned it:



At this point, I had to stop and wait for my beloved to return with the crickets. I didn't want to press or sew the seam until I was sure it looked the way he wanted it to.

More to come...

Be well,

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

The great hunter returned with the crickets (which our daughter really wanted him to coat in chocolate and feed to her, but he declined-there's a bit of back story to that, but this isn't the place). He tried the vest and was pleased. Sometimes I wonder if he would dare to tell me if he wasn't pleased?

I replaced the pinning with a line of basting stitches, so I could press the edges before sewing (makes for a lot less swearing when you can run the seam without fighting to keep it turned up. I remember how suprised I was by how much ironing is involved in sewing when I first started out).



Then I sewed the edges. Luckily, the original design of this vest includes a visible seam along the edges. Heres one edge, showing the original seam (the straight edge on the left) and my seam (the curve). I discovered that I did not have dark enough blue thread, so I used black instead (the principal being that a darker thread tends to be more hidden than a lighter one). Seemed to work ok, although I should have used a slightly longer stitch.



The other end-original to the right, my seam to the left:



The final product. Yes, it definitely does not go with the outfit he is wearing, but I just wanted to be sure it worked with a sporran. Oh, and yes, all the pockets are still useable!



Now, of course, Panache is off changing into an outfit which will work with the vest. Good thing we're having fairly mild weather this month, as I suspect the outfit will include lots of wool, and maybe even a tie. I'm sure he'll be posting soon!

Be well,

[Bugbear]

Hmmm, a curve in the vest... Never thought of doing it that way.

I'm sure the lizzard enjoyed the cricket bugs. Used to have a large iguana.

[ardchoille]

Wow, the finished product looks great! I'm going to have to try a conversion sometime soon.

[ChattanCat]

Amazing how a little relief for the sporran can turn a vest into a wearable kilt vest.

[Panache]

...Now, of course, Panache is off changing into an outfit which will work with the vest. Good thing we're having fairly mild weather this month, as I suspect the outfit will include lots of wool, and maybe even a tie. I'm sure he'll be posting soon!

I do have a reputation to keep up my dear...

Here are a couple of pictures of my new kilt vest in a more appropriate ensemble.





My thanks to my lovely and talented wife!

Cheers

Jamie

[michaelbeeman]

Dang, that looks sharp! Great job.

[keepoffgrass]

Thats very slick. Good job! it turned out great :-D

[Panache]

Dang, that looks sharp! Great job.

I thought you would appreciate this pose Michael





Cheers

Jamie

[pdcorlis]

What a dynamic duo - she sets 'em up and he knocks 'em over! Star - that's a fine little conversion and Jamie - the only thing you're missing is a copy of the train times in one hand. A right proper gent.