I’m all rugged up, wearing multiple layers of wool, for a winter beach photoshoot.  It’s Sharon and my 7th annual trip with our girls to Warrnambool, and I have to say, it’s been a very wet and windy one!

The rain has allowed me to finally finish my The Assembly Line Cap Sleeve Vest.  This has been a project where I have procrastinated more than I care to admit.  The fabric was purchased last year, the project cut out and partially sewn in May on a sewing weekend, and then finished at the end of June.  Thankfully, I am well pleased with the results.

The fabric is a double faced wool… green on one side and grey marle on the other.  It was originally available in four colours, but only the pink/grey colourway remains.  It’s quite a thick coating (490gsm) which is why I procrastinated so much.  I was worried about my machines coping with bulky layers, which actually wasn’t a problem at all.  #unnecessaryprocrastination

I did alter the construction slightly, and used less interfacing than recommended, because of the thickness of the wool.  The changes included:

• Overlocking all the innards as folding back the seam allowances on the hem and facings was not an option
• Only interfacing one side of the collar
• No interfacing on the pocket flats and sleeve cuffs
• Folding the cuffs in half (wrong sides facing) and attaching them to the sleeve opening

Another reducing bulk trick I employed was to line the pocket flaps and pockets in Liberty tana lawn from deep deep stash.

I opted to hand stitch both the facings and hems in place.  It wasn’t quite as invisible as I expected, but I still prefer it to a line of stitching.

You’ll have probably noticed that I haven’t gone down the snaps/buttons route yet… and I anticipate that I probably won’t!

It was my intention to sew the undercollar with the grey side facing out… but in the heat of the sewing moment I totally forgot.  Does this happen to you sometimes?

I know coats with short sleeves aren’t some people’s cup of tea, but I’m very partial to a vest with warm layers underneath.  I think this coat will be a great piece for work thrown over a wool skivvy, knit top or linen shirt.  I like the freedom of movement when I work… both at the computer or when cutting fabric!

As always, the Assembly Line Patterns are well drafted and have great instructions.  I’m wondering about making this pattern again in a heavy linen for spring.

Pattern:  The Assembly Line’s Cap Sleeve Vest
Size:  Small
Fabric:  Double Faced wool from The Cloth Shop [green/grey sold out but pink/grey available]
Alterations:  3/8″ (1cm) forward shoulder adjustment, left off snaps/buttons, and construction changes outlined in bullet points in body of post
Outfit:  Jeans from Levi, orange boots from Obus (years ago), beach glass earrings by Susan Ewington Jewellery, and striped wool top (from 10 years ago) & scarf from Scarlet Jones
Photo Location:  Warrnambool