So Faux Futuristic Vest

07 Jan So Faux Futuristic Vest

When hubby left for work this morning the fur was flying. The metallic faux-leather with faux-fur backing spattered like confetti once cut and even stuck to the walls, my clothes and my hair.  Having just finished vacuuming the Christmas tree needles, I was not amused to watch the expensive fabric behave so poorly, but I was on a mission ….. and I had a vision to realize.

 I selected the fabric from many faux-leather, faux-fur backed fabrics in the Garment District in October (2013).  More reasonably priced than most, I bought one yard to try out. I a pictured fur-trimmed vest, so here it is.

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 The pattern is Butterick 5683 and I began with View C.

B5683 view C

The front, back and front yoke seams are sewn by lapping one piece over the other, matching the 5/8” seam allowances and stitching on the top. Afterwards the seam is trimmed to ¼”.  The pattern instructions state to leave the edges unfinished.

 After sewing the front and back vertical seams as instructed, I knew I wanted the fur accent to be more substantial so I did my own thing.

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Being so distracted by the flying fur I forgot to take construction photos, but here’s the scoop.

For the yoke I pressed the seam allowance upwards and topstitched the fur in place. The stitches disappeared into the fur.

IMG_3770

 For the neck, front edge, arms and hem I simply turned the fur to the outside and stitched with a narrow zig-zag.

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Turning the fur on the lower edge resulted in a garment that was too short for the separating zipper so I inserted large hooks and eyes to the inside, which in this instance, I prefer to the big separating zipper.

 Hubby returned home to a clean house and me wearing my first 2014 garment. He said I look like someone from Star Trek.

IMG_3745 “…Second star to the right — and straight on ’til morning,” said I.

“…… and bring on the Polar Vortex too.”

🙂

goodbyevalentino
goodbyevalentino@gmail.com
110 Comments
  • sewdooley
    Posted at 17:51h, 07 January Reply

    Very cute and cozy. Hope it’s keeping you warm and that nasty polar vortex goes back to where it came from.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:25h, 08 January Reply

      LOL 🙂 Nothing is keeping me warm in these frigid temperatures. Many thanks for the comment!

  • David
    Posted at 17:53h, 07 January Reply

    This is amazing Sarah. Quite different from your usual makes but you still managed to make it look very classy…as always I should say 🙂

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:26h, 08 January Reply

      Thank you, David! I don’t want to get into the rut of making the same things over and over again. I already did that as a RTW shopper 🙂

  • accordion3
    Posted at 17:53h, 07 January Reply

    I’m using that pattern in the long sleeved version, for a jacket to wear while ice skating. Where you happy with the pattern? It seems that the fabric hassles were a bigger concern for you.

    Oh and it looks lovely!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:27h, 08 January Reply

      Many thanks! Yes the pattern is easy to make. I found it runs a little big. I made a small but if I make it again will make an small.

  • r
    Posted at 17:57h, 07 January Reply

    It looks superb. You bring such elegance to your clothing.

  • Virginia from Virginia
    Posted at 17:58h, 07 January Reply

    If only the crew of the Enterprise were that well dressed!

  • Elaine
    Posted at 18:02h, 07 January Reply

    Now why can’t the pattern companies come up with sewn garments that show off the patterns as well as yours do? You really need to offer your help, Valentino! I never thought I’d laugh out loud so much while reading about patterns and sewing.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:30h, 08 January Reply

      When I toured the McCalls Pattern Company I met the lady who selects all of the fabrics for the patterns. Very nice, organized and the process was impressive. Having said that….. I ‘d love to help in that area 🙂 Thank you, Elaine!

  • carolinascallin
    Posted at 18:06h, 07 January Reply

    Cracked up when I read your first paragraph! I’m finishing this for my mom for Christmas…ok, New Year’s…UGH. Whatever holiday is next week! The pattern isn’t bad (I also had to adjust the zipper) and it seems to be more fitted. (I’m making the long sleeved, fitted version – post coming!)

    My collar, however…WHAT A MESS! It’s wonderful curly ‘fur’, but good grief…it was EVERYWHERE! Totally know what you mean. I couldn’t get it off my hands, it had to be vacuumed off my cutting mat, the floor, walls…whew! And of course we had house guests coming for Christmas 🙂

    I like how yours turned out. I’ve never actually seen that faux shearling stuff, but your fabric is fun 🙂

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:32h, 08 January Reply

      Thank you, Cheryl and I look forward to seeing your coat! Next time I make this I’m cutting the pattern outside or in the garage or somewhere other than in my house 😉

  • Robin
    Posted at 18:09h, 07 January Reply

    Nice job with a difficult fabric! Turning out the edges to expose the faux fur makes the vest look both relaxed and classy. You have improved the original design of the pattern.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:33h, 08 January Reply

      Thank you, Robin! The fabric was only difficult in that the fur shed upon being cut. Now that its made the shedding has stopped, thank goodness 🙂

  • Annie
    Posted at 18:13h, 07 January Reply

    You just channeled this Polar vortex in order to show off your be-yoo-tiful vest. Hope it is keeping you warm. Wouldn’t do the job in Va mountains wherein we were below 0 F.this morning.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:34h, 08 January Reply

      Hah! Nothing is keeping me warm in these frigid temperatures, but it helps inside 🙂
      Many thanks for the comment, Annie!

  • Vicki
    Posted at 18:13h, 07 January Reply

    Very cute. Fun fabric.

  • Tina Kellner
    Posted at 18:13h, 07 January Reply

    We seem to be on a similar wavelength.  I just finished a sherpa brown suede vest, Kwiksew 3953.  I was originally inspired by Nordstrom’s Uptown Shearling Snood by Ugg ($425.00).  Saw the sherpa fabric in Joann fabrics and decided to give it a go.  I liked it so much that bought more to make the Kwiksew vest and a hat from a Threads article Dec 1994/January 1995.  I have worn all three pieces, not only do they look great they are warm too.  The fabric is washable – nice feature.  We are in the Polar vortex here in New Jersey as I write this.

    I also wanted to mention that I made a pair of slacks for Christmas out of the cobalt blue Carolina Herrara paisley fabric that you made your dress out of.  The pants are gorgeous but I had gone on line to see what was available at Mood for brocades, the fabric was priced at $40 per yard.  Went in to Mood found and bought the fabric- but for $50 per yard, not realizing it until I returned home.  I don’t know if on your trip to Mood you had a similar experience, but that was a real disappointment.  I have been talking with them, but I don’t think a resolution is going to happen.  Luckily there are MANY great fabric stores in NYC to choose from.  I also wanted to tell you that the Style Arc patterns you mentioned are wonderful.  What a find.  They are worth the price and the wait. I also made the ribbon skirt, really cool.  

    Thank you for all your inspiration!  My girlfriend Emily in Wisconsin forwarded your blog to me over the summer and now we are both avid viewers. Tina   Tina Kellner Tina_Tony@ymail.com 973-543-8554

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:39h, 08 January Reply

      Tina, Thank you for your nice comment. I’m going to check out the sherpa fabric as I’d like to make this once more using the smaller size. I bet your brocade pants are gorgeous and I too, thought about making pants out of the brocade before sewing the dress. ….. and I agree, Style Arc Patterns are fabulous! 🙂 🙂

  • lauriesannie
    Posted at 18:14h, 07 January Reply

    You just channeled that Polar Vortex in order to show off your be-too-tiful vest. Hope it is keeping you warm. Wouldn’t help in Va mountains wherein it was 0 F. this am.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:43h, 08 January Reply

      LOL! Nothing is keeping me warm at the moment 😉 It was 5 F. here – crazy, indeed!

  • Judi
    Posted at 18:17h, 07 January Reply

    I love it…very cute!

  • Myra
    Posted at 18:18h, 07 January Reply

    Sarah, this vest is really nice! I was planning on making of faux fur vest as well. However, mine is not going to be as fancy as yours though! Very, very nice! “Beam me up Sarah”!

  • Carole
    Posted at 18:25h, 07 January Reply

    Very nice, Peter. It will keep you warm in Neverland.

  • Crystal Elston (@CrystalElston)
    Posted at 18:30h, 07 January Reply

    Hip and sexy and somehow classy as well. Love this! And it looks fantastic on you.

  • ewellons
    Posted at 18:33h, 07 January Reply

    Sarah, I’m not really a vest person. But seeing this on you makes me rethink my aversion to vests! Very cool!!! I’ve been playing around with leather myself — more to come on that! But good job, as always!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:47h, 08 January Reply

      Thanks, Cissie! If I make another I’m going down a size, but I do like the result and you would look fab in this style 🙂
      The leather peplum is so on trend, my lady !

  • Vanessa
    Posted at 18:51h, 07 January Reply

    I think your vest is lovely! And I had to chuckle at how your husband said you looked like someone from Star Trek. My hubby has given me nicknames on more than one of my outfits. There is the “Zebra” one, and the orange top that makes me look like I “just got out of jail.”

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:49h, 08 January Reply

      LOL – they should meet as they would have a blast trying to be funny, huh? 🙂 🙂
      Many thanks for the comment, Vanessa!

  • abailey0674
    Posted at 18:57h, 07 January Reply

    Ok…now I see. So cute! Love it. You look amazing as always 🙂 Sorry it gave you such trouble. I am having a similiar issue with my metalic tweed dress I am working on, only it looks like tinsle flying at my house 🙂

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:50h, 08 January Reply

      Thank you! Just the cutting gave me trouble – and I know where you’re coming from on the tweed. I found running a stay stitch around each piece prevented raveling. Good luck!

  • Mary Lynn
    Posted at 18:58h, 07 January Reply

    You look too great to have been sewing all day! Somehow, all day sewing fests – which seldom
    happen at my house – require me to have dirty hair, no makeup and food spilled all down my shirt! Cute vest! Have you finished your sewing room?

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:52h, 08 January Reply

      LOL! I cut the fabric on day one and dealt with the aftermath on day two 🙂 No, I bought some fabric at GDC over New Year’s and am almost there. Won’t be long I hope!

  • Barbara Lindsey
    Posted at 19:11h, 07 January Reply

    Beautiful

  • Jenny
    Posted at 19:16h, 07 January Reply

    Very cute! Well worth the fur fuzz everywhere!

  • Faye Lewis
    Posted at 19:29h, 07 January Reply

    It’s always nice to work with new fabrics. Your vest is really cute.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:53h, 08 January Reply

      Thank you, Faye! I’ll try it again sometime but will cut outside or at least in the garage 🙂

  • Alethia
    Posted at 19:46h, 07 January Reply

    I say, well done! Awesome, and I adore that fabric!
    I’m so jealous, I had to put my faux leather jeans on hold for now…I had to evacuate and clear out my sewing room due to my house flooding (busted pipes)… I’m so bummed! This morning my house looked like “A River Runs Through It”…literally. However, all is good and I can’t wait to get back to my machine.BTW, Great comeback to your hubby, love it, lol!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:54h, 08 January Reply

      Oh poor you! Good luck with the clean up and many thanks for the comment, Alethia!

  • Belinda
    Posted at 20:15h, 07 January Reply

    Beam me up Sarah that vest is lovely and looks good on you.

  • Amanda S.
    Posted at 20:17h, 07 January Reply

    Oh so super cute!!! I may need to copy this exact vest…

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:56h, 08 January Reply

      Thanks, Amanda! I forgot to mention that the pattern runs large. Can’t wait to see your rendition 🙂

  • Patti
    Posted at 20:49h, 07 January Reply

    We must be on the same wavelength because I’ve wanted to take the faux fur vest I own and figure out how to get it to fit me. I think I have this pattern (or a similar one) – I’ll get it out and play with it to see what needs to be done or if I should start from scratch. My problem is my wide hips – and the straight sides of this vest. Yours looks great!!!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:57h, 08 January Reply

      Thank you, Patti! The pattern runs large so maybe your size on top grading to a larger size on the bottom? I’m sure you’ll figure it out!

  • Annette
    Posted at 20:51h, 07 January Reply

    I have some faux fur that is waiting for a matching pattern. I wish my fabric would work with this pattern. Maybe I will have to find new fabric and pick up your pattern. I love vests and I really want a faux furn one. Once again, you have inspired me.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:58h, 08 January Reply

      Thank you, Annette! What a bummer that your fabric won’t work but I bet you find something. Good luck 🙂

  • Joyce Love
    Posted at 21:45h, 07 January Reply

    “Bring on the Polar Vortex” – bwahahaha!!! Love the vest!

  • Hanh
    Posted at 21:56h, 07 January Reply

    Splendid interpretation, and well prepared for this cold weather!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 08:00h, 08 January Reply

      Thanks, Hanh….. though nothing has prepared me for this weather 😉

  • Teri
    Posted at 22:16h, 07 January Reply

    I can hardly see your vest, as I am distracted by the green grass and leaves on a tree behind you. 😉 ~Teri from snow covered Idaho.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 08:01h, 08 January Reply

      LOL! Fertilizer works wonders…. but it was 25 degrees when we took pics 🙂 Stay warm!

  • EmSewCrazy
    Posted at 22:27h, 07 January Reply

    If you’re from Star Trek it’s the best wardrobe piece they’ve got! Those costumes are so uninspiring.
    Lovely vest!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 12:22h, 08 January Reply

      Ha! Thank you 🙂 Star Trek never entered my mind until my husband brought it up.

  • I made it!!
    Posted at 23:37h, 07 January Reply

    Ah huh, your husband is just jealous – because he wants one!

  • Peggy Harper
    Posted at 01:06h, 08 January Reply

    Hi Sarah, I love the vest! Really looks great on you. I have the same pattern also! And had planned to make a fur vest. But since I am just getting back into sewing it will be a while. I have decided to follow along with your RTW fast this year and sign up next. I have no blog yet but I will start one soon. I plan to sew everything this year, except for the smalls :-). I think the blog will be harder than the sewing for me. I just can’t imagine why anyone would want to read it…yet I spend hours reading your’s and so many others. I love all the blogs too so I hope mine will get read also. Thanks for the encouragement. -Peggy in Sunny CA!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 12:24h, 08 January Reply

      Hi Peggy and thank you! My friend said the same thing about her blog ( not sewing) and then I showed her the locations of the hits and she was completely flabbergasted. You’ll do fine 🙂

  • Cindy C.
    Posted at 02:37h, 08 January Reply

    Holy fuzzballs! Love, love, love the metallic faux leather! And, amazingly, the faux fur used as the trim looks quite nice. Question: Does the faux fur continue to shed when the vest is worn, or was the shedding confined to the construction period?

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 12:25h, 08 January Reply

      You’re on the wrong show, Cindy 🙂 😉 🙂 Thankfully the fabric quite shedding when it was sewn and shaken!

  • Sharon
    Posted at 02:56h, 08 January Reply

    How to turn a fuzzy vest into style!

  • Jan
    Posted at 03:58h, 08 January Reply

    Very fashionable. Star Trek. Husbands, “we gotta love them”. lol.

  • Ooobop!
    Posted at 04:02h, 08 January Reply

    Simply stunning!

  • Roswitha
    Posted at 06:23h, 08 January Reply

    Love your vest. It looks gorgeous.
    Have a nice day
    Roswitha

  • Almeda
    Posted at 08:13h, 08 January Reply

    That fabric is gorgeous! And the fur adds a classic modern look to your lovely new vest.
    Thanks for the laughs. Your experience with the ‘flying fur’ reminds me of my elementary students using ‘glitter’ in art projects. Oh my!!! How we all sparkled for days! 🙂
    Have you considered sewing something for Mr. Hubby? Perhaps a matching vest?? LOL!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 13:12h, 08 January Reply

      Yes….. it was just like glitter! I found a piece of fur in the shower today on the other end of the house. I’m cutting outside next time 🙂 Mr. Hubs will NOT be getting a Star Trek vest!

  • gingermakes
    Posted at 09:43h, 08 January Reply

    This is so cute! I really like it! The fabric has a nice drape to it– that saves it from looking too “starfleet”! Really fun!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 13:13h, 08 January Reply

      You’re right, Ginger – it’s far too supple to endure outer space 🙂 Guess I’ll have to wear it around here.

  • Harriet Craig
    Posted at 09:52h, 08 January Reply

    That is adorable.

  • LinB
    Posted at 09:58h, 08 January Reply

    My daughter and I amuse ourselves among the clothing racks at thrift stores — while shopping for “normal” garments for ourselves — by choosing garments for an imaginary wedding party to wear at a Star Trek wedding. Some days are silvery, some days are golden, all days are sparkly and futuristic.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 13:14h, 08 January Reply

      Too funny! Might this fit in?

      • LinB
        Posted at 12:05h, 21 January Reply

        Indeed it would! We might put you at the guestbook signing station, or assign you to pour punch.

  • Linda Richards
    Posted at 10:41h, 08 January Reply

    What a cute vest and you wear it so well! You have a wonderful instinct for putting fabrics & patterns together beautifully. I am contemplating restyling my fur coat into a vest however, the polar vortex has pretty much left Tucson alone however I prefer mid 70’s & blue skies to our mid 60’s & grey sky…just saying (probably got myself into trouble with that…LOL!) I’m not overly motivated right now for that project! Keep the inspiration coming for the rest of us!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 13:30h, 08 January Reply

      Thanks, Linda! I’ll take your weather over mine at this point 😉 Good luck restyling your coat!

  • patsdesign
    Posted at 10:43h, 08 January Reply

    I would never have imagined this myself. You truly have a style that is quite appealing. Also, I like the way you take the plunge and the risk and do it. I stop myself, sometimes before I begin cause I get lost in the thinking process and then get overwhelmed and out of time. Truly a beautiful vest…

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 13:32h, 08 January Reply

      Thank you so much for your nice comment, Pat! I try really hard to imagine all of the details of the finished garment before committing to the sewing project …. usually it works out, but not 100% 🙂

  • nenewhis
    Posted at 12:38h, 08 January Reply

    Actually, I quite like this vest, it’s very trendy. I love metallics and being able to pair it with fur is fun. Good choice on the pattern, it is simple and doesn’t compete with your fabric. It’s so perfect that you didn’t use a zipper for this vest, I think that would have been too much. This would also look great with a pair of dark blue jeans! I think wherever you go you will get compliments on it!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 13:33h, 08 January Reply

      Many thanks for the comment and the suggestion of dark blue jeans! I’ll give them a try with the vest 🙂

  • Roberta
    Posted at 16:59h, 08 January Reply

    Beautiful! Another great job!

  • sewgrandma
    Posted at 17:15h, 08 January Reply

    Your post was a Hoot! I LOVE your vest. Years ago I learned that there is a “right” way to cut faux-fur. I found the following to share:
    http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Cut-Sew-Faux-Fur/
    P.S. I can’t seem to settle down in front of my sewing machine for reading all the sewing blogs & related comments. It’s like a “hard to put down book”. Then there’s all the RTW Fasters.
    Sew long.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 18:16h, 08 January Reply

      Many thanks for the tutorial, SewGrandma! I completely missed out on step 3 🙂 Have fun reading all of the sewing blogs! What would we do without them? 😉

  • danvillegirl
    Posted at 19:30h, 08 January Reply

    I really like this metallic faux fur vest!!!

  • Pam
    Posted at 21:35h, 08 January Reply

    I love the vest but I especially loved your way with words in this post. You kept me smiling the whole way through! 🙂

  • Carolyn
    Posted at 22:15h, 08 January Reply

    Love your new vest but I’m sorry I’m just not getting the Star Trek vibe – fashion forward chic fashionista yes! Star Trek – nope not at all!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:54h, 09 January Reply

      Well, Star Trek was the last thing I would have associated my vest with too, but I’m happy to humor my husband and play along 🙂 Thank you, Carolyn!

  • sewruth
    Posted at 03:25h, 09 January Reply

    Are you inside my head? Guess what’s next on my sewing table? Not as fashion forward as your own version though….. Fab vest! Can you wear it fur side out too?

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:56h, 09 January Reply

      LOL – thank you, Ruth! The vest is not reversible – I suppose it could have been had I not turned the fur around the edges. Can’t wait to see yours!

  • Marta
    Posted at 13:09h, 09 January Reply

    “He said I look like someone from Star Trek.” ROFL Sounds like something my husband would say! I think it came out great and just enough fur, not too much, to be streamlined and classic. I love it!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 22:46h, 09 January Reply

      Many thanks, Marta! We gotta humor the fellas every now and then 🙂

  • Tiffany
    Posted at 14:20h, 09 January Reply

    Oh my!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this!! Just showed it to 3 people. I usually love everything you make but I think this is my favorite!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 22:46h, 09 January Reply

      Well thank you so very much, Tiffany! Interesting fabric goes a long way – I like it too 🙂

  • bgbecky
    Posted at 08:09h, 30 September Reply

    Hello! I am about to sew a blanket using faux sherpa and wanting to do it rag quilt style with unfinished edges. did your vest fray or shed on the unfinished edges? Thanks for your help!!! 🙂

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