The practicality and elegant versatility of a vest make this garment a welcome addition to any wardrobe. Fortunately, you only need to have some basic sewing knowledge to make one for yourself or your friends without too much difficulty. Collect the necessary materials and follow these instructions: in a few hours you can show off your new garment!
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Making a Model
Step 1. Trace the shape of a tank top or t-shirt (with the sleeves folded inwards to have the opening on the arms) on newspaper sheets or on an open wrapping paper bag
This simple method will guarantee you the right size and will avoid the hassle of having to take measurements, and so on.
Step 2. Add about 15mm along the entire outline to leave the seam allowance
The seam allowance is that part that is folded inwards when sewing.
Step 3. Make the front with two halves
For each half, fold the shirt in half vertically and draw a line along the contour, adding the seam allowance on the outside edge with an extra space for the overlap in the center of the two front pieces, if desired (for example, at the point in where you would place the snaps or the classic ones).
Step 4. Make the back by stretching the shirt and tracing its outline
Again, leave some space (15mm) for the seam allowance. Remember that the back must have a higher collar than the front, depending on the design.
Step 5. Cut out the sections of the model and examine them
Put the cut out sections together by mimicking the shape of the vest and aligning the armholes with the hem.
Step 6. Purchase the fabric
You will need at least 1-1.5 meters of fabric for the vest, and as much for the lining.
- The lining is the part that is inside the vest, on the reverse side of the visible fabric.
- If you are unsure of the amount of fabric you need, take the pattern to your fabric dealer or haberdashery and ask for help. It is always better to have more material than not to have enough.
- You can choose from a wide range of materials for making your vest. Evaluate the season when choosing the fabric: light wool for autumn, velvet for winter, linen or crepe cotton fabric for spring, silk or light cotton for summer.
Part 2 of 3: Sew the Vest
Step 1. Cut out the fabric
Spread the fabric on a large work surface. Arrange the cut out patterns on the fabric, pinning them together to prevent them from slipping. With a pen, trace the outline on the fabric.
Step 2. Hatch the seam on the wrong side (the side you won't see in the finished product)
Remove the sections of the pattern and with a pen draw a line around the fabric about 15 mm from the edge (the seam allowance). You will follow this line when sewing the vest.
Step 3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 on the lining fabric
When you have finished this operation, check that the sections of the lining coincide with those of the vest.
Step 4. With a sewing machine, join the side seams with the right sides together, the vest with the vest and the lining with the lining
At this point, you won't need to sew the lining to the vest, but work on the two parts separately.
- Joining the right sides means that the internal parts of the seam (the parts in contact with each other) belong to the right side of the fabric (the part with the design and / or the one that will be seen in the finished product), while now the parts at the reverse.
- At this point, it may be useful to iron the seams with an iron, if the type of fabric allows it.
Step 5. Sew the fabric of the vest and lining together with the right sides in contact, leaving the shoulder seams open
Line up the vest and lining sections, making sure the side seams and shoulder openings match. Pin and sew along all sides except the shoulder seams (the top between the neck and shoulder openings).
Step 6. Turn the fabric inside out by passing it through one of the shoulder seams
At this point, you should see the right side of the fabric in both the lining and the vest.
Step 7. Pin and sew the shoulders together
First of all, fold the upper part of the back inwards by about 15 mm at the level of the shoulders, then insert the front part into it. Pin both ends of the shoulder seam and sew them to the back, about 3mm from the edge. Repeat the operation on the other shoulder.
Step 8. Make a topstitch about 3 mm along the entire edge (optional)
Topstitching is a type of stitch visible from the right side of the fabric. Even if it is not the best in some types of knits, this seam represents a further refinement in tailor-made products. It is possible to perform a topstitch with the sewing machine.
- To obtain a delicate topstitch, use a standard or light thread, of a shade similar to that of the fabric. For more contrast, choose a heavier thread and / or another color.
- Iron the vest before stitching for greater precision.
Part 3 of 3: Adding Closures
Step 1. Decide on the type of closure
If you choose to close the vest, you will have to decide how. Classic or snap buttons are common and easy to apply solutions.
Measure where you want to put the closures. You can decide by eye where to place the top and bottom latches, then precisely measure and mark where the latches in the middle will go. Make sure you have marked the locations evenly on both inner edges so that they coincide
Step 2. Apply snaps with pliers
Follow that plier's instructions to apply specific snaps. First, apply the male part on one side, then the female part on the other.
Step 3. Apply classic buttons by making buttonholes and sewing the buttons on the opposite side
- To make the buttonholes by hand, you need to sew two satin stitches parallel to each other the length of the button and join them at the top and bottom (these seams are called "bartacks"). Apply pins on both ends of the buttonhole, right along the bartacks, then cut the fabric between the two seams with a stapler or pointed scissors.
- Alternatively, your sewing machine may be equipped with the buttonhole foot. It would be lucky!
- Sew the buttons on the opposite side of the buttonholes.
