New Look 6166 - Pendleton Fabric Shawl Vest

Dear readers,

Finally, this project was a LOT more difficult than I expected.

 This is New Look 6166 -- a wonderful pattern.  I based it on the following inspiration below:

It's not exactly the same.  I missed buying it (and it was pricey) when it came in last season.

This year they also have another evening star-ish vest on their Fall line right now:

A little closer view of the matching and fitted arms.

 Boy, there is a reason that these Pendleton garments are expensive.  This fabric - Evening Star, a light to mid - weight blanket fabric was unwieldy and difficult to put together.  I ripped out the sides six times the first time I tried to match up the pattern.  Finally, I put in pins and actually sewed over them (no needles broken in case you were wondering).  This is after using jeans needles and a roller foot.  I thought it would take an hours to put together - NOPE.  Two days after cutting.

 I picked up the frog/finding at my knitting store I really like it.  I made a chevron patter for the shawl collar.

Again, getting the collar to turn was even a bear.  I see how coats can be difficult now.  Some notes:  

the Pendleton Woolen Mills Store in Portland is fantastic.  It turned out I made some errors in my cuts -- not a problem -- they sent me (via phone and email) their last yard (lucky!).  Also, they suggested felt as a binding (they have in stock).  I love it but ended up not going with the felt binding as the pattern I think is too busy.  I can always add it later.  Plus my execution on binding, based on my past record, is sketchy. 

I think turning blanket type of fabric into a garment is tough - there is a reason the cost for Pendleton is high -- it really takes industrial machines to get a professional finish in a thick garment.  I really worked and steamed this garment.  That said I'm very happy with it.  I might have made it a bit too fitted, but I can live with that.   Whew!  I was going to make a second one -- but now I am going on to my next project. 

Have you made any Pendleton items?

XOXO, 

Pam

Pendleton Vest Inspiration - New Look 6166

Dear readers,

I've been dying to make a Pendleton vest with a shawl collar from this inspiration:

I finally found a pattern that has a Shawl Collar, with princess seaming.  New Look 6166 -- and it only takes 7/8 yard fabric from 60" roll.

So, using some Pendleton Fabric in my stash (I blogged about it HERE), I planned to make this vest.   View E (the middle vest on the left side column).  I have one yard from a 60 inch roll.  I tissue fit the pattern vest -- making only adjustments to add length to the shoulder seam and moved the shoulder seam forward (I have slightly tilted forward wide and high shoulders, thicker neck than the norm).

Here are my pinned cuts on the dress form without the shawl collar.  Pendleton has named this fabric Evening Star.   One piece I cut slightly short.  The vest is 2" longer than the pattern calls for I have a long body -- so the shorter cut may not be a problem, I can crop it without problem due to the extra fabric.

However, I did not have enough excess fabric to make the pattern work on the shawl collar, see below:

Oops, the diagonals don't match.  But I do like the idea of the diagonal for the shawl collar -- any opinions out there?

But, I called Pendleton woolen mills and problem solved!  They are sending me another yard (discounted).  Here is their Website and Blog -- definitely worth a visit if you are in the Portland area.  At the same time I went ahead and ordered the felted binding -- that would be the easiest finish.  I also orders some Rancho Arroyo Aqua -- under a half yard in case I need it too.  Note to self:  Order more fabric than you need with prints.

Now, I can finish this week if I can get my serger thread changed.  That may be a big if.
XOXO,

Pam