Tag: DIY gift

A Gift to Sew: How To Make a Fringed Circle Vest

Published on by ellegeemakes4 Comments

PicMonkey Collage-8Sometimes the simplest make gives you the most pleasure. Every time I wear one of these vests, I feel stylish, cozy and comfortable. It’s a simple design that brings compliments and the question….where can I buy that?

My love affair with circle vests started several years ago when I was gifted a pattern for one. I soon realized I didn’t really need one at all since it’s just a circle. But the trick is in the proportions.  The patterned vest was a bit too voluminous for me, and it wouldn’t fit under my coat. So, I played around with the concept using fabric scraps and muslin and came up with an updated variation that works better for me.

 

These vests are a great wardrobe addition because they can be worn open or closed. This particular version is reversible, made from two fabrics sewn together, a solid and a plaid. You can finish the edge with bias binding, but fringe is great too. To fringe a vest, sew around it at 5/8″ then use a seam ripper to pull threads from the edge to make the fringe.

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The short vest takes a yard of each of two fabrics. For me, the long vest can be made from a yard and 3/8.

The basic concept of a circle vest is introduced in this Thread magazine blog post. In a nutshell…

  • Circumference of the circle: your bust measurement
  • Distance between armhole: the width of your back from arm to arm
  • Depth of the armhole: Top of the shoulder to 3” below your armpit for the depth of the armhole.

I liked this method, but found the vest to be a bit short. So, I modified it by adding 3”to the width of the circle. I  did this to give the front of the vest more drape.

Here’s a double-sided flannel vest with bound edges. I used two heavy weight flannels so it’s cozy but a bit stiff. The edges are bound with fleece binding.

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Here’s the long version in boiled wool.

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To make the long version I added a few extra inches to the length of the oval. I eliminated the bias binding, fringing the edges instead. Here’s a visual of the pattern I drafted for mine.

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I only used a yard and a half of fabric by folding the fabric selvage to selvage and cutting my oval from that.

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I’m not sure which version I like the best….I’m such fan of plaids and this project is a perfect way to use them all!

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It’s always so satisfying to find make a stylish and unique gift for a friend. A unique fabric choice can really make this a stand out piece in any wardrobe. It’s also a great addition to your wardrobe too. As they say, One for you…One For ME!!! 

Happy sewing and thanks for stopping by!

 

One for you, one for me…A reversible fringed scarf to give or keep

Published on by ellegeemakes4 Comments

Well, it’s almost too late to pull off a DIY gift for a friend, but here’s a last minute gift you can sew in an hour – – A fringed scarf that’s so versatile! It’s cozy and lovely as a scarf, but also wide enough to wear as a shawl. When I saw a version of this scarf on a mannequin at Fabric Depot, I just had to sew one for me and a few for friends. They’re popular gifts as the scarves are reversible and can be worn a variety of ways.

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Here’s how to make a quick reversible scarf of your own.

The best part of this project is selecting the coordinating fabric. To make one scarf you need 1 1/3 yards each of two coordinating flannels, 44/45″ wide.

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From each piece of coordinating flannel, cut two (2) 20″ high pieces.

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You now have the four panels that will make up the scarf. For each coordinating flannel, place the two 20″ high panels right sides together and sew a 5/8” seam down the center.IMG_6662

You now have two long pieces of two coordinating fabrics.  Place wrong sides together, aligning the center seams and the edges, smoothing out wrinkles. I use clips to hold the edges in place.

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Sew these two pieces together around the entire circumference of your scarf placing your stitching line 1 and 1/2 inches from the edge. ( I used a piece of tape on my machine placed at 1 1/2 inches as my stitching guide.) This stitching line is important as it will be your guide to cut the fringe. You can double stitch it if you want for extra security.

 

From each corner, cut a 1/1/2’ square, then begin to cut your fringe, using a small scissors at 1/4” intervals, being careful not to cut through your seams.

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You can see my edges don’t meet all that perfectly. That’s okay because the fringe will be fluttering about when you’re done, so precision is not essential. It looks so great after it’s been ruffled by your hand or the washing machine.

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That’s all there is to it! I’m not sure which scarf is my favorite….

Another fringe option that’s more time consuming is to take a darning needle and carefully pull out fibers at the scarf’s edge to fringe it. This requires alot of patience. IMG_6625

These scarves are quick to sew and cost effective as gifts go. They’ve been quite popular with friends who enjoy throwing something stylish around their shoulders on damp wintery days.

I’ve experimented with various combinations with regard to fringe. On this scarf, I only fringed one side and serged the other. It’s a tidier look if that appeals to you. I also made this scarf a bit longer, using  1 1/2 yards of fabric. The longer length makes it very easy to wrap . I chose to keep this scarf for myself, because, well, it’s blue!!

 

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Here, in Oregon, the weather is damp, and I love wearing my scarf as I enjoy dinners around the fire with friends.

It’s a great time of the year to reflect on the past and plan for the future. I’ve loved reading everyone’s top five hits posts and I’ll be posting my own list here before the year ends. Happy sewing and thanks for stopping by!