Revisions: 107 (Peony Vest)  - Type:Vests  | | Viewed 137 times
| 6 more reviews | Review rated Very Helpful by 5 people | | Reviewed by: | JillyBe | 
| About JillyBe | | CA USA | | Member since: 1/20/10 | | Reviews written: 73 | | Sewing skills:Intermediate | | Favored by: 49 people | | patterns reviewed: 60 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 2/10/13 11:55 PM | | Last Updated: | 2/11/13 0:30 AM | | Project Photo: |  | | Pattern Photo: | Revisions Pattern Info More Info provided by JillyBe | | Pattern Rating: | Recommend, with Modifications | | | | Fabric: | Leather [See other projects in this fabric] | | Related Links | Click on  to add a link |
| Pattern Description: From Pattern Envelope: A flattering, loose-fitting short sleeve top and vest with a wrap skirt. The wrap skirt has feminine curved lines and can be finished with a side button or zipper. The top and vest are easily fitted with bust darts included into the front seamlines.
My Description: (for vest only) An unflattering, extremely loose-fitting vest, hard to fit on any body I can imagine without MAJOR alterations, but with absolutely awesome curves and points and creative ideas along the bottom hemline.
Note: This is actually my second version of this vest, the first one, with all of my foibles and frustrations and a very long journey to completion, is reviewed here: Previous Review Here
So why did I choose to make it again? Good question! (but I'm glad I did!). I'm doing a second review because of how very different this version is from my first one (and from the pattern)
Pattern Sizing: XS-XXL (according to the pattern) My take on the sizing? M-XXXXL My first vest was a Small. I cut the second version down so much it would probably be an XXS, or maybe XXXS (and I'm really not that small!)
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Sort of kind of. If you squint.
Mine is unlined and reversible, and much more fitted.
Skin Side Out
Shearling Side Out
Were the instructions easy to follow? If you line the vest, as called for, no. Not easy at all. However, since this version was made out of sheepskin (not only unlined, but actually reversible), and since I had made it before and knew how the pieces fit together, I didn't even open the direction sheet. Making an unlined version, especially using a fabric that doesn't really have a set grainline and doesn't need finished seams or hems, made it super fast and easy.
For this version I simply sewed all of the vertical seams together, then stitched the SAs down so that the shearling is exposed on the leather side. After that I fitted the shoulder seams (easy to do since I didn't need to worry about a grain line), and sewed that up.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? The fit on this pattern is really atrocious, imho. Boxy, unflattering, and way too large. The awesomeness about it though, is Diane's fabulous creative ideas (included in the pattern) - even though I didn't look at them this time, it's worth mentioning. Also, the creative shaping at the hemline really appeals to me, and the "princess" seams (I put that in quotes because, as drafted, they still just make for a boxy look) do allow you to shape it for your own body. It's just not for the faint-hearted or novice sewist. And even though I cut down my original muslin to a size I thought would work, I still ended up adding darts and removing excess fabric from the side seams and the armscye.
Fabric Used: Two shearling sheepskins. Here's a shot of the pattern layout, squeezed on to the skins as tightly as I could do it!: Pattern Pieces on Skins
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: OMG. Fitting alterations already touched on, above. I was tweaking from beginning to end!
This piece is really designed for your own creativity to be drawn on. I used the rough edges of the sheepskins as much as possible.
The shoulders are SO wide, it's really more of a futuristic gladiator look - I removed several inches of fabric from the outer shoulder piece, and at least another inch from the neckline shoulder piece. Unless you have a linebacker's shoulders, I suspect you would want to do this as well.
I added a pocket to the leather side:
Pocket
Instead of a button and buttonhole, I cut a strip of leather to wrap around a button, again on the skin side:
Button on Skin Side
On the Shearling side, I used two vintage buttons and two strips of leather:
Buttons on Shearling
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Twice was definitely enough. Although, I notice that in my first review I said that once was enough. Never say never?
I would only recommend this pattern if you're willing to make a muslin and many fitting adjustments, AND you make an unlined version.
Conclusion: I'm really happy that I decided to make this again - I think the pattern works well in a leather, leather-like, or shearling fabric. I cannot recommend the pattern as drafted, and would not advise trying a lined version.
Please feel free to visit my blog post for more pictures and a few more details on the construction and working with shearling 
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5 Comments
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This is SOOO cute, Jillian. I'm not really a "sew with skins" person, but this is just out-of-the-ballpark wonderful. I love that it's reversible and your creative closures, plus the organic "raggedy" hem detail is fabulous.
2/11/13 0:14 AM
You really own this one girl! You worked with those skins to their best advantage and in turn it all looks great on you. Either side out. Nice styling too and hilarious blog post.
2/11/13 1:00 AM
Looks great both ways. You really did get the most out of those skins.
2/11/13 3:05 AM
Amazing! Very interesting pattern. I like what you did with it!
2/11/13 9:48 AM
Wow! Very Indiana Jane
2/11/13 12:02 PM