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Teacher makes a new vest

As this post goes live, I will be finishing up teaching for the Arizona Quilt Guild.  It’s pretty neat:  I fly in to Phoenix on Tuesday and teach at a shop in the greater Phoenix area on Wednesday.  On Thursday, my host/program chair drives me to San Manuel (north of Phoenix, south of Flagstaff) for teaching, then on to Flagstaff that night.  I discovered that our hotel there is literally right on the old Route 66!  I’ll be teaching there on Friday, and giving a lecture on Saturday.

As a traveling quilt teacher, you need several things…above all compact, lightweight clothes because most of one’s suitcase is filled with teaching stuff!   And it helps if the clothing is bright so folks can see you if you are lecturing in a large hall or teaching in a crowded classroom:

I hadn’t made a new vest in years, and needed something.  Because I am on my feet going around the classroom all day, I need something not-hot.  I picked this pattern, Cosmopolitan 337, from Lois Ericson of Design and Sew.  The pattern  also has instructions for making a vest:

I found the pattern online here…I’ve never shopped there, but at least they have it!  I bought mine at Quilt Festival last year….it says Lois has retired, so I guess I’d better stock up on her patterns that I love and don’t have yet!  Here’s a full shot of the front (please ignore the chin that is succumbing to age and gravity):

The vest, it turns out, was a bit large—which makes sense since jackets are supposed to be roomy.  So I did quite a bit of down-sizing (yeah!), and reduced the drop shoulder by nearly two inches.  I added the coral inserted stripes (love the effect), but next time  rather than try to reduce the panels on both sides of the princess seam, I would take the stripe out of the center pieces, which are a bit wide to my eye–definitely OK and wearable (and don’t you LOVE that print … wish I had even more of it…sounds like a trip to Alewives Fabrics is in order).  I opted for in-seam pockets (yeah!  Pockets!), but there are also some really cool patch pockets… next one!  Here’s the back, with my hair only slightly frowzy:

I used a nice batik for the lining and was careful, sorry I didn’t take a picture, and can use it reversed, too!  I also like that it covers the tuckus (aka posterior).  I still haven’t done a closing…not enough time before getting on the plane.  That can happen later!

6 Responses to “Teacher makes a new vest”

  1. Lisa Says:

    Very cool Sarah

  2. Jacquie in Vermont Says:

    The colors in that wonderful print are so springlike and spirit lifting!
    I did a lot of vests a while back, usually using the very simple patterns in Diane Leone’s Investments for the foundation. I made a lot of them reversible and with patch pockets on at least one side. Wonderful ways to extend an otherwise very basic pants and shirts wardrobe.

  3. Gisela Says:

    Aww — you look like spring! Very nice.

  4. Jan Says:

    I Love It! It looks great on you! Well done. I am sure you will stand out in a crowd now, in a good way. You shouldn’t worry about your chin, you are a beautiful woman. I wouldn’t have paid a bit of notice to your chin if you hadn’t brought it to my attention. The color of the top you have on under the vest is perfect to go with it. as you know.

  5. Daphne Greig Says:

    Have a GREAT time in Arizona!! I know all your students will love you. Great vest too.

    Daphne

  6. Maggie Szafranski Says:

    Fantastic vest! The bright colors are happy and cheerful! Just like you!