Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Another KwikSew Vest

Last year around this time I made a fleece vest out of Polartec 300. That one didn't turn out that nice. I tried to be tricky and make it longer in the back and use lycra binding to make it snug. Well, of course, the lycra binding did make it snug but the vest would rise over my butt and then the lycra binding would keep it up, not down. I still wear it when I run but it's not perfect. This time I made a S instead of an XS because this Polartec 300 is not as stretchy. And, of course, it has embroidery on it. I tried to make all the pictures a little washed out so you could see details.
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I added pockets to this one and I really like it.
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I love the shoulder topstitching and the side seam shaping.

This fabric is awesome. It's Polartec Waterproof/Windproof. It's super thin and comfortable and keeps out the chilly Alaskan weather.
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I downloaded this free pattern from Embroidery Emotions. I obviously changed the colors.
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I don't really know what I'm doing with embroidery still but I basted this to the hoop because I couldn't exactly put it in the hoop with the zipper and all.
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15 comments:

  1. JoanneMMarch 19, 2009 at 3:20 AM

    Perfect! Looks great!

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  2. AnonymousMarch 19, 2009 at 3:49 AM

    I don't hoop much of anything anymore. Get yourself a couple of different stabilizers,and some 505 spray and you can embroider wherever you want. Have you seen the sticky back stabilizer that you peel the paper off and stick your fabric too? I can't remember the name but it works good. and don't forget to get a topping stabilizer for when you do stuff with pile. You can also iron,iron on interfacing to the back of stretchy fabrics before you embroider to help with distortion. Vest looks great. Embroidery can be addictive. Try it on paper for cards.

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  3. gwensewsMarch 19, 2009 at 4:19 AM

    Nice job --good to see you enjoying your embroidery machine.

    If you use sticky back stabilizer, you don't have to hoop, or baste. A water-soluble on top is great for any pile fabric, including towels, to keep the stitches on top of the fabric.

    Stabilizing is the key to good embroidery. You're doing great.

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  4. UnknownMarch 19, 2009 at 4:22 AM

    Like Marie said, your can hoop the stabilizer and use spray adhesive to make the vest stick or is the stabilizer is fusible, you iron it down. Another trick I've used is to pin down the garment to the stabilizer in the corners of the hoops (where there's no stitching!). I do this with knit ski caps, and it's a little faster (and less messy) than the spray adhesive.
    p.s. How did you know I love bad 90's rap? In high school, when I would sew, I would crank up En Vogue and sing "Hold On" at the top of my lungs. Psychic?

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  5. AnonymousMarch 19, 2009 at 4:54 AM

    Okay--your embroidery is amazing! Gives a nice touch.

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  6. Amanda S.March 19, 2009 at 4:57 AM

    Cute vest!

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  7. AnonymousMarch 19, 2009 at 7:00 AM

    wow I really like how that came out
    Great job!

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  8. 2BSewing:March 19, 2009 at 7:21 AM

    I like your vest, too! Fits you perfectly. Nice job with the embroidery...you are really picking that up quickly. :)

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  9. MaryissewfastMarch 19, 2009 at 7:43 AM

    Cute vest Dawn. There are several free basting designs you can download to baste your fabric and stabilizer together before you stitch out your design. Most of the machine websites have them and you can also find them at independent embroidery websites...here is a link to one of them http://www.threadartist.com/embroidery_basting_stitch.htm Run the basting design first to bind your fabric and stabilizer and then your design. I use that with fabrics that tend to move like silk or stretchy knits. I will use sticky back with my cap hoop or if I have a really odd piece to embroider, but it will dull and gum up your needle. I avoid the spray adhesive anymore because it really gums up the needles (years of experience taught me that!) Looks like you have really been bitten by the embroidery bug! :)

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  10. AnonymousMarch 19, 2009 at 8:09 AM

    Where are you getting Polartec? Since the mill in Massachusetts closed, my supply has dried up! We have fond memories of the annual remnant sale, where my niece would climb into the massive bins and toss fabric out to my sister.

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  11. goodworks1March 19, 2009 at 10:32 AM

    What IS that gorgeous red shirt fabric? Wow!

    Oh, yeah, I like that vest too! I really like Malden Mill's windproof fabrics for vests. This is the perfect time of year for them.

    Did you find the fabric 'static-y'?

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  12. CarolMarch 19, 2009 at 1:24 PM

    Very cute top. I live in the subtropics and it never gets cold enough for garments like this! Shame really, because I love winter sewing and I would love to make this vest.

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  13. VickiMarch 19, 2009 at 6:27 PM

    I am learning as much as you I think with these comments! Great work - what you did worked well.

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  14. MaryissewfastMarch 21, 2009 at 10:09 AM

    Hi Dawn,
    Here is a list of some embroidery sites to check out...there are more...I have been at this for almost 5 years and still find some new ones! Have fun! Mary

    http://www.alldesignsllc.com/

    http://www.stitchingart.com/

    http://www.sewweird.com/index.php

    http://www.moosebstitchin.net/

    http://www.emblibrary.com/EL/New.aspx

    http://www.sewingforsarahembroidery.com/

    http://www.secretsof.com/embroiderytips/

    http://www.clasicembroidery.com/

    http://www.geocities.com/~sewntell/sayings.html/

    http://www.artisticthreadworks.com

    http://www.astitchclub.com

    http://www.skeldalehouse.com

    http://www.skeldalehouse.com/links.html

    http://www.atimetostitch.com/

    http://www.adesigninstitches.net/

    http://3web.dkm.cz/embroidery/embroidery.html

    http://francine-broderies.com/Alphabet.html?lang=en

    http://www.daffydowndilly.com/

    http://www.mountaindesignsbyann.com/

    http://mountainthreadart.com/

    http://www.myembroiderynook.com/

    http://pnw-embroidery.com/default.aspx

    http://www.got-a-stitch.com/index.html

    http://www.moonkissedsews.com/

    http://www.stitchmadoodles.com/

    http://www.suebox.com/

    http://www.wandafuldesigns.com/GiveAway.html

    http://gorgeousstitches.biz/

    http://www.dutchstitches.com/

    http://www.cuteembroidery.com/

    http://www.embproject.com/

    http://www.gosiadesign.com/gallery1.htm

    http://www.diamondcottagedesigns.ca/page2.html

    http://www.heartstringsembroidery.com

    http://www.StitchedWithGrace.com

    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/StitchedWithGrace/

    http://www.designsbysick.com/

    http://www.sanfranciscostitchco.com/index.html

    http://www.abc-embroidery-designs.com/

    http://www.designbydawn.com/CrystalEmbDesigns.htm

    http://www.amazingdesigns.com/en/

    http://www.enchantedembroidery.com/Fantasy/fantasy.html

    http://www.fordelinkembroidery.com/

    http://frannissewingroom.com/index.html

    http://www.nitasplace.com/

    http://sewingnetwork.net/tsn/tsnindex.html

    http://members.aol.com/Lilibrod/FREE_DES...ree_designs.htm

    http://ls-liane-stitch.de/

    http://www.windstarembroidery.com/free-m...dery-design.cfm

    http://www.stitchesinmotion.ca/freebies.asp

    http://www.embroiderseye.com/index.html

    http://www.designinmail.com/free.asp

    http://www.alphabet.cuteembroidery.com

    http://www.lovelyembroidery.com/

    http://www.designsbyms.com/sivigliadesig...oad/freebie.asp

    http://www.designinmail.com/free.asp

    http://www.geothedigitizer.com/

    http://www.sandysays.net/archive.htm

    http://www.joydesigns.org/

    http://www.clubbroderie.com/telechargement_1.htm

    http://www.jennysembroidery.com/JENNYSDESIGNS/Homepage.htm

    http://www.freeembroiderystuff.com/stock...esigns.asp?mo=5

    http://www.cookiescreations.com/freebies.htm

    http://www.sewforless.com/index.php?page=1&category=400

    http://www.mtldesign.dk/index.htm

    http://web.archive.org/web/2004102316122...den/golden1.htm

    http://hjem.get2net.dk/LisDesign/design.htm

    http://web.archive.org/web/2005020812330...onaldesigns.htm

    http://sewmuch4retirement.com/endless.htm

    http://www.tickytacky.btinternet.co.uk/designs_1.htm

    http://web.archive.org/web/2000111006000...om/holidays.htm

    http://www.volny.cz/pattistudio1/page2.html

    http://mitglied.lycos.de/MonikaChr/herta.htm

    http://www.thredworks.com/free.htm

    http://home.hccnet.nl/h.v.esch/menus/freebies.htm

    http://web.archive.org/web/2004011415362....cs.com/sewsgm/

    http://www.teresaembroiderydesigns.com/misc.html

    http://home.quicknet.nl/qn/prive/hd.olde...ownloadans.html

    http://search4designs.com

    http://www.emeraldoriginals.com/Embroide...ree%20Page.html

    http://www.southern-stitches.com/ssfreebies.html

    http://www.4myembroidery.com/freebie.asp

    http://www.freejacky.com/

    http://www.designsbysick.com/hourly?gcli...CFRUHWAod_iRtMA

    http://cindysembroiderydesigns.com/index2.html

    http://www.leaendasewbiz.com.au/Free%20Designs.htm

    http://www.daintystitches.com/freedesigns.html

    http://www.sewingonthebeach.com/free_designs.htm

    http://www.wolhuisje.nl/index_bestanden/...s%20designs.htm

    http://www.designsinstitches.com/

    http://www.designsbysick.com/hourlyhunt

    ReplyDelete
  15. MaiseyFebruary 16, 2011 at 12:32 PM

    This looks like it was so much fun! The embroidery adds a lot to it! I am looking for a new project to work on and this will be perfect. Here is another site I think you'd like: http://swakembroidery.com

    ReplyDelete

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