This past week I embarked on a new adventure with my granddaughter. This spring she asked if I would assist her in making a couple of vests. We had planned to get together while she was off on spring break but that didn't happen. Now that she is off for the summer we set up a day to work on her project.
This is the vest she wanted to duplicate. I figured we would buy a pattern, but she says this fits really well and she likes the style. Well, that means we have to try to make a pattern off this vest.It took a good part of the morning, but we managed it. I ended up using freezer paper, ironed it on to the vest parts, traced around it then added a half inch seam allowance. Well here it is thus far. It fits perfectly. There were problems, oh yes, but we muddle through and have learned a great deal in the process. We will meet up again next week and finish it off.
Now there is a good reason for writing this all down and making some construction changes too. She would like 3 more made. Only thing at this point that really worries me is making button holes. I have a really nice Bernina 750 with a great button hole maker. I have never used it. The fact is I have not made any clothing of any type in 25 years. This truly is an adventure.
The good part is that we dug out my mother in laws old button tin. I inherited it when she passed away 19 years ago. They were a wealth of wonderful buttons. For you fans of my oldest daughter's English Mastiff hounds. Liza the 3 year old and the new pup Loki. This photo came with Loki's weigh in this week. All 78.8 pounds of him he is a little over 7 months old now. Liza weighs about 125 pounds, so Loki is going to be a big boy. I gathered from the picture they are waiting for a treat.
Oh! The style! The fabric! The buttons! Wonderful! Even better is the time spent working on such an project with your granddaughter! How nice!
ReplyDeleteKudos for making from a garment, that is something I have never tried. And what adorable pups!!! I could just squeeze those faces.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I forget blogger doesn't recognize me, Chrisknits here.
ReplyDeleteLooks as though you successfully returned to your sewing roots! 30-40 years ago I made most of my clothes, too. Back then I had a Kenmore that made beautiful buttonholes with the twist of a dial. The Pfaff that replaced it had "automatic" buttonholes that never made the same size twice--not good when a garment requires six of them. Now I have a Janome. After two years I had a project that required buttonholes. I had to watch a how-to video. They came out well. Whew.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you are doing a great job on the vest. Try a couple of sample buttonholes on similar fabric. The Bernina does most of the work for you on buttonholes. (Says the gal who probably hasn't made a buttonhole for many years, just not as many as you!) Enjoy your sewing with your granddaughter.
ReplyDeleteLovely to be making vests with your granddaughter, button holes and all. I've got the button hole facility on my machine too, but rarely use it. Love the doggy photo, dont they look lovely!
ReplyDeleteMy mother had an English Mastiff that got up to 180 pounds. He was huge. She needed to do more training when he was a puppy, because he was pretty difficult to manage at his largest size. Your vests look like they'll be wonderful. Just practice on scrap for the button holes a few times before you go for it.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see that someone else takes a break from quilting and wanders off to sew a garment or something besides a quilt. I bet you have a lot of scraps that could be sewn together like I did for baby bibs to make a vest?
ReplyDeleteHi DonnaLeeQ!! What a fun and fabulous project. The button bin!! They are priceless and I inherited my grandmother's and mother's. We're talking old - my mom would be 111 if she were alive. I thought for sure you were going to say the dogs were encouraging you two while you were working on the vest pattern! HA! I love dogs. Loki looks like a young thing and a lightweight at only 78#. Imagine that?!! {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty vest! I know what you mean about not sewing clothes and making buttonholes when you haven't for so long. I used to make my own clothes, but it would be a whole new learning process for me now!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing with us at To Do Tuesday!
I haven't made clothing in a coon's age so kudos to you! Buttonholes as I remember are fairly easy once you figure out how to do them on your particular machine but again, haven't done them since who knows when. Love those buttons! They will be so pretty with those fabrics. I had no idea that vests were back in style but I can't wait to see a finished vest on her. Thank you for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss.
ReplyDeleteLove the vests!!! Great job!!!
ReplyDeleteHi DonnaLee, I really love the vest. I remember when I was a young mother and going to try out all kinds of vests so that I could find one that fit me - and then I bought a pattern that was similar. I must have made 4 or 5 of them over the years. They are a lot of fun. Isn't it great to be sewing with your granddaughter? Those dogs are so amazingly beautiful....and BIG! Thanks for linking up to Free Motion Mavericks! Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteThe vest is looking awesome! I haven't done any clothing construction in years either, and have totally forgotten how to make a buttonhole. But what fun to plan and sew with your granddaughter. Beautiful dogs!!
ReplyDeleteThe buttons are great. She wants a bug vest? The butterflies I understand, but the bugs surprise me.
ReplyDeleteThat is a lovely vest!!! And what a fun project to do together!
ReplyDeleteThe dogs... they are just so sweet faced....