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!

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

The inner and outer bottom edges were press upward.

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.

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.

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

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.

And tada!