Belted Vest with Patch Pockets
Introducing a sophisticated women's sewing pattern for a sleeveless, wrap-front vest featuring an elegant shawl collar and practical patch pockets.
When To Wear
This versatile vest is perfect for adding a refined layer to your ensemble, suitable for:
- Professional Settings: a polished alternative to a blazer for the office or business casual events.
- Transitional Weather: An ideal layering piece for adding warmth and style during cooler seasons.
- Elevated Everyday Wear: Dressed up or down for a chic, comfortable look for errands or social gatherings.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: Straight silhouette shaped with front darts, offering a comfortable yet structured fit.
Neckline & Collar: Broad, graceful shawl collar cut in one with the fronts, flowing into the wrap front.
Closure: Wrap front with no buttons, secured with a self-fabric tie belt (Waistband piece).
Sleeves: Sleeveless design with slightly extended shoulders and lining-finished armholes for a clean look.
Pockets: Two generous rectangular patch pockets on the lower front, caught into the side seams.
Back: Clean, plain back for a sleek and uninterrupted line.
Length: Long, hip-covering length, offering modern styling and ease of movement.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. Involves techniques such as constructing a grown-on shawl collar, attaching patch pockets, and working with lining and facings.
Fabric Recommendations
Select medium-weight fabrics with good drape that can hold a structured silhouette:
- Suiting fabrics made from natural or blended fibers
Additional Supplies
- Fusible interfacing
- Lining fabric
Cutter's Must
When stitching pieces, pay attention to the notches - they must match!
- From main fabric:
- Back – 1 piece (on fold)
- Front – 2 pieces
- Center Front Facing – 2 pieces
- Back Neckline Facing – 1 piece
- Pocket – 2 pieces
- Waistband – 1 piece (on fold)
- From lining fabric:
- Back – 1 piece
- Front – 2 pieces
- From fusible interfacing:
- Center Front Facing – 2 pieces
- Back Neckline Facing – 1 piece
Note: Front and Back lining pieces are cut from the main fabric pattern pieces, minus the width of the Center Front Facing and Back Neckline Facing.
Sewing Instructions
- Fuse interfacing to the designated pieces. Along the lapel roll line on the front pieces, apply a 1 cm wide stay tape cut from fusible interfacing.
- Stitch the darts on the Front pieces. Press the dart folds upwards.
- Overlock the top edge of the Pocket. Fold the allowance to the wrong side and topstitch. Press under the side and bottom allowances of the Pocket. Place the Pocket on the Front according to the markings and topstitch. Baste the Pocket to the Front along the side seam edge.
- Stitch shoulder and side seams. Press seam allowances open.
- Stitch the center back seam of the collar cut in one with the Fronts. Press the seam allowance open. Stitch the collar into the back neckline, clipping the allowances into the corner. Press seam allowances open.
- Stitch the center back seam of the collar on the Center Front Facing pieces. Press the seam allowance open. Stitch the shoulder seams joining the Back Neckline Facing and the Center Front Facings; press open. Stitch the collar into the neckline of the Back Neckline Facing, clipping the allowances into the corner. Press seam allowances open.
- Place the facing on the vest, right sides together, pin, and stitch along the front edges and around the collar. Clip the allowances at the curves, turn the facing to the wrong side and press. Tack the neckline seam allowances of the vest and facing together.
- Press the vest hem allowance to the wrong side.
- Stitch the lining seams, leaving an opening in the left side seam. Stitch the lining to the Center Front Facings and the Back Neckline Facing. Stitch the lining to the vest along the armholes in two steps: first the front armhole, then the back armhole. Stitch the lining to the vest hem.
- Turn the vest right side out through the opening in the lining. Stitch the opening closed.
- Fold the Waistband (tie belt) in half lengthwise, right sides together. Stitch around the edges, leaving an opening for turning. Trim the allowances, turn right side out and press. Stitch the opening closed.
