Tuesday, August 27, 2013

jazzy Jackets

This was such a fun project I thought I would post it again,
Louisa   

Jazzy Jackets
Jazzy Jackets
Created by: Louisa Smith
Be sure to give us feedback on this project below.

Level: Intermediate
Time: 5 hours
Louisa Smith provided these construction notes for a fun twist to a traditional vest. You can adapt this technique to any pattern! Simply sew together strips to the sizes of your pattern pieces, and then treat the sewn pieces as one large piece of fabric. It’s a fantastic way to use up some of your stash – or to add color and splash to a traditional pattern.


Janome Supplies Required:
Any Janome Sewing machine
Any Janome Embroidery machine (optional)
Janome embroidery thread in colors to match fabrics (optional)

Fabric and Notions Required
A vest pattern of your choice. Louisa used the Jazzy Jacket pattern by Debra Lunn - you can puchase it herePattern paper
See pattern instructions for fabric yardage:
We have used 27 different 1 ½” wide strips for the Retro Revived version as well as some plain black fabric.
And for the All That Jazz version, we used a Black ‘n White print along with some smaller pieced fabric sections.
Fabrics for the lining of the vests
All-purpose sewing thread in colors to match fabrics

In this case we have used the pattern in the shortest form. But any pattern you select can be cut down to have this cute short style to layer over longer shirts. And if you decide you prefer a longer style vest, the procedure is basically the same.

1. Start by placing the vest pattern pieces on your table surface. Draw lines onto your pattern pieces and cut them into sections according to how you would like your finished vest to look. Remember when you cut them out to add seam allowances to these cuts!!!! We opted for three different sections on our vest patterns. But notice the All That Jazz version on the backside we have placed the sections vertically.


2. For Vest A (Retro Revived) I sewed together 27 different 1 ½” wide strips. And placed the appropriate pattern pieces on it and cut them out. You may choose wider or narrower strips. Additionally, you may choose to cut some pieces out of plain fabric.

3. For the in between sections I chose plain black fabric so that the machine embroidery will show up. The inspiration for the embroidery actually came from some of the fabrics used.
4. For Vest A (Retro Revived) I inserted a piece of plain black fabric to showcase the embroidery design. For Vest B (All That Jazz), I followed for the most part the same procedure but I used mostly a black and white fabric and inserted some pieced fabric for contrast. The embroidery patterns were a collection of musical images.

6. Sew the pattern pieces together according to pattern instructions.
7. Finish the shoulder seams only…..and complete the machine embroidery of your choice. Please refer to the vests for inspiration. Once all this is completed, you may also want to make an additional vest out of a cotton fabric, because these vests are completely reversible!!! Again just finish the shoulder seams only of the lining vest.

8. So now you have:
One vest completed with embroidery and shoulder seams sewed &
One vest out of a wonderful fabric to be the lining and shoulder seams sewed.
Place these on top of one another right sides together, sew all around the edges, leaving the under the arm seams open so you can turn them inside out. (You may want to trim the seams before turning.)
9. Sew the under the arm seams and your vest is completed: two for the price of one. Add the buttonholes where needed. We opted for fabric covered buttons for both our vests.
Enjoy!!