How to create a (super chic) vest in 10 minutes
I love fall, its colors and its wardrobe!
Today I will tell you how to create an ultra-practical and stylish mid-season vest, just like mine:
It’s very easy: believe me, if I did it (in a few minutes) you can do it too!
THAT’S WHAT YOU NEED:
- about 1.5 m of boiled wool (cost: less than 20 euros)
- big scissors
- measuring tape
- a piece of chalk
YOU DO NOT NEED A NEEDLE AND THREAD!
DIAGRAM TO FOLLOW
It is essentially a square of boiled wool with a side of 1.5 m.
The upper base (which will be the neck) and the lower base (which will be the hem) are those cut from the fabric store.
The sides of the vest instead will remain “frayed” (correspond to the selvage, for those who intend to sew).
As you can already see from the diagram above, there is no need for extreme precision: the beauty of this garment is its being enveloping and almost shapeless.
So, we said: how to create a waistcoat with boiled wool?
Basically, the only thing to do are the holes for the arms! And now I tell you how …
CHOOSE THE WIDENESS OF THE NECK
As you can see from the diagram, the holes for the arms will be placed about 50 cm starting from the top.
This gives you an idea indicative of the width of the neck: at 50 cm is a wraparound neck as you can see in my picture. However, if you want it to be smaller, you can make the holes in your arms higher up (at a distance of less than 50 cm)
I still recommend 50 cm, you can shorten the neck at a later time (just cut with scissors): the beauty of boiled wool is that it does not fray and does not need a hem.
WHERE TO PLACE THE HOLES FOR THE ARMS
First fold the fabric in two: right on the left. To hold the fabric still, fasten it with a couple of pins.
Then mark the holes for the arms about 23 cm from a hypothetical vertical line along the back (see diagram above).
These measures correspond to a size S. For larger sizes, just increase the distance from the dotted vertical.
HOW TO DO THE HOLES FOR THE ARMS?
The holes for the arms will have more or less a length of 15 cm and a drip width (from 2 to 5 cm).
First cut the 15 cm vertically and only after draw the drop.
First make the drawing with the chalk, so as to be more precise.
Then cut the drops with scissors.
Even in this case, you can enlarge them according to your arm circumference. Or maybe you want to wear it on a leather jacket.
Take some tests and enlarge them according to your fit (just cut with scissors, you no hem or needle and thread needed).
HERE YOUR VEST IS READY!
There is nothing else to do: no needle and thread, no hem …
If the vest looks too long, you can shorten it with scissors, cutting off the excess!
At this point you just have to add a nice wide belt at the waist and you’re done!
Now that you know how to create a vest, you just have to choose a nice boiled wool (I found a very soft one that almost seems cashmere) and a neutral color to match everything (for me the color camel, ça va sans dire).
See? Very easy!
And now do not tell me that in the mid-season you never know what to wear 😉
Rossella Migliaccio
Italian Image Institute
