A tailored vest has been on my list to make for a while, and when I decided to make a trial beret for my Christmas suit, I thought a vest added to it would make a great pair to be worn together or separately. And a stash buster at the same time!

I used this pattern, view B. Incidentally, don't you love the variety packed into vintage patterns? You get virtually two different vest patterns in one package, with this pattern. A far cry from modern patterns when sometimes you have to buy skirt and jacket patterns separately when they are pictured as a pair! I've seen 1930s dress patterns that have two or three separate bodice patterns to pair with a skirt, for totally different looks. Just one of the fun elements of using patterns like this one.

This vest was not hard to make, and has some fun details with the points in the front and back, the top stitching, and the covered buttons – I've found I love to do covered buttons!

The beret was not quite so neat, being a trial version, as my 2nd version for my Christmas suit, but overall I liked the result (have I mentioned I am not a perfectionist? 🙂 and this shade of gray a great neutral color for versatility in wearing. 

Incidentally, this was another hair day saved by my favorite hair nets! One of those days when you're almost ready to leave for church and your curls just are not being manageable or presentable - so at the last minute a hair net was the magic fix! Have I said I highly recommend them? 🙂

Anyway, though this vest pairs well with many colors, I chose to go quasi 1950s with this outfit and wear it with a modern lace blouse that had 1950s elements in its wing collar and cuffs, and a thrifted skirt in one of my favorite colors with neat pleating detail.

I had a few fitting issues since the vest had to be sized down several inches, but overall it was an easy and quick project and adds a very nice staple to my fall and winter wardrobe.