Well, Oklahoma fooled me again for a few days. We had finally started seeing fall weather here in the land where the wind really does sweep across the plains, and I was so excited I put away the summer gear and pulled out the boots and jeans. It was perfect weather for the new Willa and Billie patterns from Laela Jeyne! I couldn't wait to finish my testers so that we could layer up and enjoy the crisp weather, and while I was a little nervous about making myself a vest pattern, I will tell you that these patterns do NOT disappoint.
So, let's run through each pattern really quick:
On the Willa, here are a few basics:
- Large size range: XS to 3X
- Princess seams for a more streamlined fit
- Optional welt pockets
- Can be made with our without a layer of batting for cooler weather
- Fully reversible option depending on zipper choice
- Detachable hood
- No trim pages
- Clear illustrations for each step
And for the Billie:
- Large size range: 6M to 14
- Princess seams for a more streamlined fit OR
- Basic vest option up to size 6 (this makes a perfect unisex pattern for the little guys!)
- Optional welt pockets
- Can be made with our without a layer of batting for cooler weather
- Fully reversible option depending on zipper choice
- Detachable hood
- No trim pages
- Clear illustrations for each step
When the technicals came out for the Willa, I couldn't wait to figure out what fabric I wanted to use. Then, my kids saw them and had to have one so I signed up to test the Billie vest as well. I didn't even wait to see if I was going to be able to test this one because I was absolutely buying the pattern so I might as well be ready.
For the test, I made 4 vests: 1 for me, 2 for my son, and 1 for my daughter. I tried so hard to squeeze in a second one for my daughter, and I just didn't have a chance to do it with fall festival prep. I couldn't find that special fairy sparkle that stops time so I had to give up the ghost on Nini's second vest, but it WILL happen before the end of the week.
I would definitely rate this pattern as more advance due to the princess seams. They aren't hard, but it does help significantly if you have a little bit of experience doing them. It takes just a little extra time and work but well worth it for the finished vest (after size 6, the only option is a princess seam to accommodate the female form).
Alright, so this vest took a little extra time for mine and my daughter's because of the prep that goes into stay stitching the princess seams and getting the notches cut before you can assemble, but it wasn't too time consuming. I think I finished mine in a few hours once I got started...(part of that time MIGHT have been spent staring at the TV watching Stranger Things). The most tedious part for me was the bias tape because I made my own instead of going to the store and buying it like I originally planned. I was able to make some continuous binding by using the square method so that helped a lot with getting the tape put together.
For all of my vests, I opted to not do the reversible option so I just used a plain separating zipper, but you can buy a reversible separating zipper and voila! two vests for the work of one. I do have one planned with some denim and suede that I think I really want to make reversible and with the welt pockets. I didn't do them on these ones, and I really wish I would have at least put them on my Willa because I became the pack mule at the Fall Festival and had nowhere to stuff the kids' trinkets after they played every game...where every kid wins something.
The kids wore theirs to go playing when we went out to our friends' property, and it was the perfect coverup for the not quite cold but not quite hot weather here in Oklahoma. I put my son in two different ones for the photo shoot, and he stopped long enough to let me zip it before he was back out and running about. They were both the perfect fit. My son is definitely super tiny (he's almost 6 and was in the 4T) so I'm really glad that's his favorite thing about himself. I just had to make sure that I didn't bring up that he was wearing a 4T top or he would have taken it off. HA! They were plenty roomy for some layering but not so roomy that the kids were swallowed up in them. My Willa was so comfy and again, not too loose but definitely loose enough to keep up with the kids and their prizes at the festival!
With the option to add batting between the main and lining fabric, this vest is perfectly adaptable to colder weather and will give an extra layer of warm between me and the cold! I can't wait for the weather to start cooling down so that I can put these to use! I've been staring at them for the past week now that the weather has shot back up to mid to high 80's. Boo. I just hope I remember that I complained about the heat when I have icicles hanging off my ears in the middle of winter!
Now, if you've read to this point, let's find out how you can get your copies of these patterns! The Billie vest can be purchased here, and right now it's on sale for $5. The Willa is available here, and you can get your copy for $6.50. Now, if you want both, the bundle package is available for the sale price of $10. Don't miss out on these perfectly for fall patterns because the sale ends at 1159PM on Friday, 21 October. After that, you'll have to pay the full price to get in on the outdoorsy goodness! So, go grab your copy and sew yourself and your munchkins some vests!
Blessings and Happy Sewing,
Kim
Alright, so this vest took a little extra time for mine and my daughter's because of the prep that goes into stay stitching the princess seams and getting the notches cut before you can assemble, but it wasn't too time consuming. I think I finished mine in a few hours once I got started...(part of that time MIGHT have been spent staring at the TV watching Stranger Things). The most tedious part for me was the bias tape because I made my own instead of going to the store and buying it like I originally planned. I was able to make some continuous binding by using the square method so that helped a lot with getting the tape put together.
For all of my vests, I opted to not do the reversible option so I just used a plain separating zipper, but you can buy a reversible separating zipper and voila! two vests for the work of one. I do have one planned with some denim and suede that I think I really want to make reversible and with the welt pockets. I didn't do them on these ones, and I really wish I would have at least put them on my Willa because I became the pack mule at the Fall Festival and had nowhere to stuff the kids' trinkets after they played every game...where every kid wins something.
The kids wore theirs to go playing when we went out to our friends' property, and it was the perfect coverup for the not quite cold but not quite hot weather here in Oklahoma. I put my son in two different ones for the photo shoot, and he stopped long enough to let me zip it before he was back out and running about. They were both the perfect fit. My son is definitely super tiny (he's almost 6 and was in the 4T) so I'm really glad that's his favorite thing about himself. I just had to make sure that I didn't bring up that he was wearing a 4T top or he would have taken it off. HA! They were plenty roomy for some layering but not so roomy that the kids were swallowed up in them. My Willa was so comfy and again, not too loose but definitely loose enough to keep up with the kids and their prizes at the festival!
With the option to add batting between the main and lining fabric, this vest is perfectly adaptable to colder weather and will give an extra layer of warm between me and the cold! I can't wait for the weather to start cooling down so that I can put these to use! I've been staring at them for the past week now that the weather has shot back up to mid to high 80's. Boo. I just hope I remember that I complained about the heat when I have icicles hanging off my ears in the middle of winter!
Now, if you've read to this point, let's find out how you can get your copies of these patterns! The Billie vest can be purchased here, and right now it's on sale for $5. The Willa is available here, and you can get your copy for $6.50. Now, if you want both, the bundle package is available for the sale price of $10. Don't miss out on these perfectly for fall patterns because the sale ends at 1159PM on Friday, 21 October. After that, you'll have to pay the full price to get in on the outdoorsy goodness! So, go grab your copy and sew yourself and your munchkins some vests!
Blessings and Happy Sewing,
Kim
