Saturday 25 June 2016

Style Arc Andrea Woven Vest


I am on a quest to make some warm clothes this winter, to keep me from freezing and the Andrea Woven Vest from Style Arc looked like a great layering piece to try. It was Sue's Post that convinced me to buy this pattern.


From the Style Arc website: "This forward trend of a long line vest will become a great addition to your wardrobe as it can be worn at anytime of the year as a layering piece. The vest is unlined. The pockets can have fashionable metal exposed zips if desired or just left as in seam pockets."

Style Arc Andrea Woven Vest
I have been a bit of a rebel and chosen fabrics not mentioned in the list of suggested fabrics: linen, crepe or any light suiting. I chose a multicoloured twisted wool blend from Spotlight. I saw this fabric in the catalogue back in March and I managed to buy the end of the bolt during my last visit to Spotlight in April. Unfortunately, there was not enough to make this vest...believe me, I tried every possible pattern layout. After some careful thought, I decided to cut the facings from some black ponte, as a contrast. The wool blend had a similar amount of stretch as the ponte so I thought they would work together.


My concerns with the fabric being too thick for this pattern were unfounded. It went together very well. The pattern is drafted beautifully with everything matching up perfectly. I cut my usual size 12.


I interfaced the ponte with a knit fusible interfacing which gave it the required stability. I'm wearing it here with a Style Arc Sara Skirt and a Deer and Doe Plantain Tee. It also works well with my Style Arc Barb Pants.


Sorry about the creases in the back view. The photo taken in the morning was totally out of focus, so this was taken late at night after I had been lounging in front of the TV, hence the wrinkles. My photographer didn't bother to point them out at the time.


The shawl collar rolls beautifully and now I have made it with the black contrast, I think this has turned out better than if I had used the wool blend for the entire garment. Happy accident!


I also cut the pockets from the black ponte and I chose not to add the zips. (Actually, the thought of adding zips just terrified me).


The button holes are not my best work so we will just focus on these cute buttons. I had these in my button stash from my Colette Beignet Skirt.


And here are some inside shots showing the facings. I finished off the raw edges of the fabric on the overlocker prior the stitching the seams on the sewing machine. This allowed me to press the seams open which I thought would work the best in this bulky wool blend.


The only really tricky bit was sewing the facing to the armholes. I had to reread the instructions several times before I figured out how to do it, and it was quite fiddly but came together quite well in the end.


This is one of those patterns that you don't see much on the internet, and I really can't understand why. I am very happy with mine and I will probably make more.

Happy Sewing

35 comments:

  1. Love the whole outfit, the contrast collar and the insides look beautiful too.

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  2. The black ponte is a very happy accident! It tones down the bright fabric. Looks really great how you have styled it.

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    1. It's funny how things sometimes turn out for the best, when you are initially disappointed that your plans have to change. Happy accident indeed. Thanks Vicki.

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  3. The fabric is a beautiful blend of colours and the ponte contrast is perfect. I like the look of vests but my arms get too cold to make them useful to me. Yours is a particularly attractive one.

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    1. Thanks for your lovely comment Kathy. I am wearing a merino knit top underneath the vest which makes the whole outfit surprisingly warm.

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  4. Wonderful choice of fabric for this vest. I LOVE your version and am thankful for the review, I am very interested in this now. Beautiful vest. You look lovely.

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    1. Thanks so much Bonnie. I loved the fabric as soon as I saw it in the Spotlight catalogue. It's a great pattern and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

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  5. A great looking vest! Love your fabric choice & the black contrast really works.

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    1. Thank you Beverly. I am very happy with how the black contrast turned out too.

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  6. I love this Jean! Your fabric choices are awesome!

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    1. I have you to thank Sue, for convincing me to try this pattern. Your version turned out great too.

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    2. Jean, you are too kind! I really love how colorful yours is and I may make one much more colorful, hopefully as pretty as yours!

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  7. Love your fabric, you'll be able to wear this with so many things.

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    1. Thank you Ruth. It does work well with other garments in my wardrobe.

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  8. Amazing fabric - love interesting textured stuff like this that. It matches perfectly with your top. As Ruth said it will match with so much and a lovely bit of colour for our drab winter.

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    1. The fabric is lovely Janine and I love a bit of colour. Thank you.

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  9. Really gorgeous! Great fabric find! I really like the pattern too- I can see it being a really versatile wardrobe piece.

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    1. Thanks Ann. I can see this made in a nice linen too for warmer weather.

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  10. Very smart looking vest and the black contrast works really well.

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    1. Thanks Sharon. I am very happy with it and have worn it a lot already.

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  11. Glorious colours and beautifully made. I think it would also work very well in a neutral for work when it is a bit chilly but not too wintery. Lovely.

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    1. Thank you very much Kate. I think this vest would work well in lighter fabrics too and could work for all seasons in the appropriate fabric.

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  12. I thought this was the Spotlight wool - I have admired it quite a bit, but have to refrain from stashing everything! I think the black contrast collar makes this jacket - it looks very smart. And with the very patterned fabric I think zips would have just been too much - and have detracted from the collar. And sat at the wide point on the body! I like waistcoats too - great for rectangular figures as well.

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  13. I thought this looked great when you wore it for MMM16. I agree with Sarah Liz- the black collar really makes the jacket, and the buttons work so well. Fab.

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    1. Thank you Paola. I have been wearing this vest a lot since I finished it. I am surprised with how warm it is.

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  14. That wool fabric is too too fabulous! and I love how you used black for the collar. Beautifully made as always

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    1. Thanks so much Carolyn. I really appreciate your comment.

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  15. I love that vest. It's gorgeous ! And so are the boots !

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  16. I've had a few goes at posting a comment about this vest. That fabric is amazing, as is the vest itself. This is a piece that will take you through winter and into spring.

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    1. Thanks Sue. I have been wearing this vest a lot. Such a great warm layer to get me through the wintery weather we are having at the moment.

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