Pattern Test: Aztec Vest

My Darling Boy

One of my fave blogs to keep up on is See Kate Sew – she has a an aesthetic I can get with…it’s clean and casual with attention to detail…if you read her blog you’ll know what I mean. She’ll make patterns, do a review, make a tutorial – whatever it is…it will be simple but there are little points or details that make it special. Kate is the reason I got the binding foot I chose AND when I accidentally got a ruffler foot…I kept it.

Enter an opportunity to test her new Aztec Vest. I got the email, it had a tight deadline…I took it. I made it. It’s awesome.

The PDF printed great – it was very easy to line up and tape together. No weird pre-trimming either like I’ve had to do with others…it just went together. As an ex-print designer….I can dig it.

assembling pattern
assembling pattern

I know the original was in a knit, and I love working with knits, but I was really envisioning a linen, Patagonia-esque thing. I prewashed and dried the bejezzus out of this Essex Linen in Jungle Green so it would work as a kid garment and could be abused later. BTW, Gutermann has a thread that matches the Jungle Green perfectly.

Jungle Green
Jungle Green

Alex insisted on picking out brand new flannel (as if I don’t have enough) for the lining. You just can’t argue with his choice…

Snakes On A Plane
Snakes On A Plane

I opted for the welt pocket and about 80% of the top-stitching. Again, it’s Kate’s details that make things more than homemade…they’re custom.

Pocket
Pocket

Alex LOVES it. He had to wear it to school the first chance he had.

Satisfied
Satisfied

I got him on a sunny day to model for me…

My Darling Boy
My Darling Boy

I used a metal, reversible zipper. Kids love the option of reversible even if they never use it. At first, I really wanted to find a vinyl zipper but I’m actually glad I couldn’t get my hands on one. The metal one is, as my man says, very substantial. It’s super quality and goes great with the linen.

Zipper Detail
Zipper Detail

I love the pockets. Everything should have pockets.

<3 Pockets

Here he is, hood up with it zipped.

Hood Up w Zip
Hood Up w Zip

And hood up, zipper down.

Pensive
Pensive

I probably should have thought ahead a bit more and added a few inches to the waist area since I chose a woven instead of a knit…it’s a smidge snug…instead of draping flat, he has to pull it up to zip it…

woven fabric
woven fabric

He doesn’t care at all though…

Zipped Up
Zipped Up

He’s very proud of his lining fabric…

Lining
Lining

The back has more top-stitching – it’s subtle but that it’s that extra something…

Back Side
Back Side

Most importantly…it wears like a boy needs clothes to wear….

Action Vest
Action Vest

It’s his new favorite piece of clothing and he says, “I love it so much!” I secretly really do too, but truly it’s his opinion that matters and it’s definatly a winner.