Introducing Irma from Fibre Mood, a quilted bodywarmer that adds style and keeps you warm. Complete with large patch pockets and a shaped collar it is a perfect mid-season garment for a cheerful start to autumn. Irma definitely calls for a warm, cozy fabric and quilted fabric is an ideal choice for this wonderful vest. Irma will be a much sought after pattern from Fibre Mood's latest Pattern Book, Issue 16.
For my Irma, I used a black quilted polycotton fabric from Minerva. It has just enough structure and weight for adding a warm layer for autumn without being too thick to wear inside. The quilting is designed to create a diamond quilt pattern when cutting it on the grain which adds a nice detail.
This particular quilted fabric needed to be lined as it has an exposed batting on the reverse side. For the lining I choose a black and white gingham 100% cotton poplin. I felt the gingham matched the quilting and added some fun detail to the lining.
I made an XL based on the bust measurement and graded it to a size M through the hips. The pattern's design makes it very easy to create a custom fit. I made sure to fit the outer quilted shell of the vest before cutting out the lining. After making fit adjustments to the pattern, I cut out a duplicate lining.
Once the vest and lining were pieced together I placed wrong sides facing and serged the edges together to make binding easier. To ensure the lining wouldn't shift I pinned it to the quilted fabric along the neck/shoulder seam, then stitched in the ditch along the seam. I did not add a cuff sleeve to my vest, I didn't want additional width across my shoulders.
This is an easy pattern to sew and it will make a great weekend project. The bias binding takes some time to pin into place, but it fits together easily. I used a black cotton bias binding. Make sure you have a good supply as you will need between 4 and 5 meters depending on the size you are making.
The fun part about lining the vest is that it becomes reversible, making Irma an even more versatile addition to a fall wardrobe. I simply sewed a button on each side so that it could be done up both ways.
This is a great pattern and I highly recommend it. I have a faux suede with a sheep skin lining and I think it will make a wonderful Irma. After all... There is Sew Much To Design.
Happy Sewing,
Lou Sheffer
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