GC Home | Register | Shop | Learn | Business | Around Town | Info

Scrappy Diagonal Front Vest
By Shirley Biehl, Shirley's Sewing Stuff

The two fronts of this vest can be made from scraps.  Incorporate the fabric from the back into the vest front.  

It is best to use the Fasturn to turn your tubes, but you can use any method that you prefer. 

Use your vest pattern that fits you.  No need to buy a new pattern. Trace your vest front pattern on another piece of paper.  Trace the outline approximately one inch larger than the pattern.

You can use any size tube.  I prefer finished tubes of 1/2",  3/4", 1", 1 ^1/4", 1 ^1/2",  tubes. Do not make a definite pattern.  Just randomly put the tubes together.  Use all colors and kinds of fabrics.  Just be sure to coordinate the colors.  If you do not have a definite pattern and you make a mistake, it won't show up as much.  

I like to make the tubes diagonal.  Start at the shoulder and point diagonally to the other side.  If you don't like that look, do it however you like it best.  There is no wrong and right way.

Because the tubes are finished on both sides, you will not have to line the front of the vest.

Butt the tubes together and using a decorative stitch that will reach each side of the fabric. stitch.  Use a zigzag, feather stitch or anything you prefer.  

You will need to use a walking foot and a stabilizer on the back of the tubes when you sew them together.  I used cheap, cheap paper cut into strips.  It worked well, but picking out the little pieces of paper drives you nuts.  You can use a water soluble stabilizer, or anything you prefer.  Practice and see what works best.

You can either make a large piece of fabric from the tubes and cut your vest fronts out or just make the vest fronts individually.  It uses less tubes cut out individually.

When you have enough fabric tubes made to cut the vest fronts out, cut the vest pattern out, baste the outside edge and finish your vest as the pattern suggests. 

Since you are not lining your vest you can either use a bias tube or bias tape to cover the raw edge of the vest front.  

You have a one of a kind vest, have used up more scraps and you didn't have to buy another pattern.

More Information on Shirley's Sewing Stuff 

Back to the Get Creative! Conference Center

Back to Meet the Get Creative! Experts