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Vintage Vest Inspiration

October 06, 2022 1 Comment on Vintage Vest Inspiration

Our 222 Vintage Vest pattern is a fabulous base for so many creations. It can be used to make a very current, everyday vest or a historic costume, a formal garment or an informal work garment. It can be made for men or for women. It can be made with a variety of fabrics, from wool to silk to brocades to simple cotton. And we up-sized this pattern so it now comes in sizes XS-3XL (for men and women) - and it's also available as a PDF pattern!

For a little inspiration, I am going to show you a couple of the vests that we have made for ourselves as well as vests that customers have made with this pattern. Lots of beautiful makes!

I'll start with this vest I made my late husband. This is View A from the pattern, a collarless buttoned vest with front points. The pattern calls for welt pockets, but I wanted to make a more informal, everyday-type vest. So I just added patch pockets to the front. I also lined this vest with a raw silk and used the same brown wool on the back as on the front (rather than reduce bulk with a lining fabric for the back).

I also made a vest for myself - View A from a small piece of wool my mother brought back from England for me many years ago. I did put in the welt pockets here and they go well with the pattern. I would increase the length of the pattern for myself next time I make it, but I really like this warm layer. By the way, the jacket I'm holding is our 251 Varsity Jacket made with a woven cashmere. Both the 222 Vintage Vest pattern and 251 Varsity Jacket are made with surprisingly little fabric.

This is a customer's version of View B of the pattern. Made with a pretty lining and with a skirt to make a whole suit.

This is @dandy.laboratory who made an gorgeous suit with our View C of this pattern. They also made pants to go with it (nice job on fitting them!). And we get to see the back as well - a beautiful habotai lining!

Another View A vest made for a wedding by @cheval_stitching. She made it with a Robert Kaufman flannel. Looks great, and probably feels amazing (and warm!).

This fun and gorgeous vest is View C made by @the_art_of_karro. She made it for a New Year's Eve - and it fits the theme of dazzling! She used fewer and larger buttons that the pattern calls for, which makes it looks amazing.

Another View A with welt pockets for a more formal look. This vest was made as a Christmas present for her husband by @susanbeetonobrien.

I absolutely adore this View C version that @republica_unicornia_yarns made. The Anne of Green Gables vibes are very strong. She also used our 209 Walking Skirt Pattern and 205 Gibson Girl Blouse pattern for this look. We love it!

A stunning vest (View C) made by a customer of @TreadleYardGoods. She also made the blouse from our 123 Austrian Dirndl. A great combination - so pretty!

This Steampunk version (View C) is really amazing! I love the contrasting collar. Made by @mellodytamm

I love this fun and beautiful version (View C) by @scificheergirl. Such a great outfit! And I like how she used the directions on the plaid.

Finally, this incredible version (View B) made by @periodwardrobe for @crowseyeproductions of their getting dressed series based on Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Pauline does an amazing job with historic costumes and I feel honored she uses Folkwear patterns as a base for some of her creations.

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I hope you have found some inspiration here for making your own 222 Vintage Vest. It really is the perfect pattern for adding a layer of warmth, elegance, or ruggedness to any outfit!