Tuesday, February 04, 2014

Blazers, Part VI

Sunday's inclement weather delayed my return from a weekend road trip, and yesterday my photograhusband didn't get home from work until after dark. I swear, I really am trying to maintain a schedule. It just seems like every week something else gets in the way. Eesh!

Anywho, last Thursday I showed you how this piece began - as a thrift score on a much heavier Carissa, purchased for $5 at Goodwill with the original $165 Nordstrom tag still attached!

Plaid Blazer Refashion Before

But since it no longer fits, it's time to make some changes!

Plaid Blazer Refashion - BeforePlaid Blazer Refashion - Before

I carefully picked out the seams to remove the collar and sleeves (and shoulder pads).

Plaid Blazer to Vest

I also removed the pocket flaps by picking out the seam along the top edge of each pocket.

Plaid Blazer to Vest

I removed the decorative top-stitching along each dart for a simpler look.

Plaid Blazer to Vest

I cut the bottom edge straight across the back and slightly angled down to points in the front.

Plaid Blazer to Vest

With the bottom edge gone, I could now easily access the inside between the plaid fabric and the lining. I pinned the top of the pockets back together and closed those up sans pocket flaps.

Plaid Blazer to Vest

I also reattached the outer fabric and facing around the neck edge where I had removed the collar and lapels.

Plaid Blazer to Vest

I took in the sides of the plaid fabric and the lining.

Plaid Blazer to VestPlaid Blazer to Vest

The inner and outer bottom edges were press upward.

Plaid Blazer to Vest

And then I top-stitched all the way around the bottom, fronts, and neck edges, using a matching thread instead of the dark brown so it wouldn't stand out as much.

Plaid Blazer to Vest

I tried on my nearly complete vest and marked where I wanted the armholes to be. Then I trimmed a bit off so they wouldn't be so wide.

Plaid Blazer to Vest

Again the inner and outer fabrics were folding toward each other and top-stitched.

Plaid Blazer to Vest

Last but not least, I swapped out the now-irrelevant size tag for the fabric content/laundering tab I salvaged from the side seam before I took in the sides.

Plaid Blazer to Vest
Plaid Blazer to Vest

And tada!

Plaid Blazer to Vest - AfterPlaid Blazer to Vest - After
Plaid Blazer to Vest - AfterPlaid Blazer to Vest - After
Plaid Blazer to Vest - After



Plaid Blazer to Vest - Before & After


14 comments:

  1. so cute! love how it looks on you!

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  2. Only one word: waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw!

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  3. I love this!! Vests are one of my favorite layering pieces! I've got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for later today that links to your tutorial:
    http://carissaknits.blogspot.com/2014/02/blazers-part-vi.html
    --Anne

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    1. Thanks for the shout-out, Anne! I'm ever so flattered!

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  4. Great refash- I love a good vest. :)

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  5. So many ways to wear this vest.....and retaining the gathers on the back side give the vest a nice feminine touch - Well Done, Carissa!

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    1. Thank you, Linda! I wasn't sure how the gathers would look in the end, but I like how they came out too.

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  6. Oh this is fantastic, thanks for sharing! I have a couple blazers that I never wear that would really benefit from this treatment!

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  7. That is an absolutely fabulous idea! I was wondering what to do with some older style suitjackets and this will be perfect. beautiful idea and lovely vest you made.

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    1. Thanks, Christina! I love it too, and I'm already thinking of making more!

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