Tailoring: Level 1; the Vest Project

About this experience

We've got lots of garment-makers here, and it's time to bring in some specialty tailoring skills! This is one of our first Intermediate classes taught by a local teacher, and we are so lucky (normally you'd have to travel to Toronto or London UK to get this level of instruction!)

Prerequisites: Students should be comfortable with sewing with a machine, have made several garments at minimum, and are looking for a new challenge. Certain parts of the class will move quickly to get to the challenging aspects, and there may be homework! There will be hand-sewing so some familiarity and dexterity with hand sewing will help you get the most out of this class.

In this 20-hour course, students will create a classic tailored waistcoat with darts, welt pockets and hand-sewn buttonholes. Along the way, you'll develop countless skills to elevate your garment sewing skills and establish a careful, methodical way of working that gives you confidence to stitch complex construction details.

Materials Required:

Pattern: Belvedere Vest. We carry the paper version, which you can purchase with a 20% discount, or if you want to make it multiple sizes over time, you can purchase the PDF version here directly from the designer, Thread Theory Designs This is a menswear pattern but very easily adaptable to women's bodies, and contains all the details we want to work on. If you are making it for a loved one, please come with detailed measurements taken!

Material: Please see the image of the Pattern back for detailed materials required. The Spool doesn't carry much in the way of specialty tailoring fabric or interfacing, so you'll need to source them. Fabricland carries many, and you can of course find things online! If you've got some classic wool you've been hoarding (Nicole can't be the only one who's been too intimidated to cut into the Armani Italian wool), and some lining, bring it out of hiding!

A rough breakdown of the course, of course things can change as the group needs are adjusted to! 

-Start by understanding the elements of a tailored garment by observing a de-constructed vest.

-Discuss fabric choices, check over pattern, prep fabric, cut fabric

-Detailed fit assessment and adjustments, with a community feeling of understanding shapes and how those adjustments change the pattern. (In the last group, one student said "the fit assessment alone was worth the price, and EVERYONE should take Lori's class)

-interfacing, pocketing, lining. mark all cut pieces ready for constuction

-apply interfacing, sew darts, sew welt pockets, pocket bags, grading seams,

-Sew back lining,  front edge facing and lining, armholes, grading seams, pressing, attach front and back pieces including back lining belt

-Understiching techniques, pressing, attach buckle or cinch, close in the lining with hand stiching. mark buttonholes, tutorial for a professional keyhole buttonhole by hand

-Mark and stitch hand made buttonholes. Final press!

*Also note: This truly is a learning journey, with a teacher guiding each of you towards your sewing goals. It's a small group class, and people work at their own pace. Students who prefer to take a little more time, or who miss a class may need to work on homework between classes, or book in for Open Sew time. We have Supported Open Sew on a regular schedule, as well as non-instructional Sewcials and open Studio time that can be booked if you don't have a sewing machine at home. We do our best to encourage and support you in finishing your project, but make no guarantee of completion if students miss classes or need extra time. We are all individuals in learning style!