Jacket to vest: First SUCCESSFUL recon

[ghilie]

I had a jacket I bought at Target off the clearance rack for $10.  So it promptly lost a button.  Of course!  It came from Target.  I stuffed it in the back of my closet and forgot about it. 

Fast forward about 6 months or so, when I tried it on again after learning I would be needing some clothes that look appropriate for an office.  I had also gained some weight (ahem, we won't say how much, let's just say it's been a very stressful year) and my arms are now quite... fleshy.  So the jacket doesn't fit.  But it still buttoned over my boobs, so I decided to save it by turning it into a vest.

I lopped off the sleeves and cut a racerback shape out of the back.  I eyeballed the whole thing.  Really, who measures?  Then I folded under the jacket fabric and the lining and ironed them together with steam a seam.  I hand sewed the armholes, and put the button back on.  It will probably fall apart the minute I wash it.  So it was a very easy recon, but most of the recons I do end up in the trash, so I am ridiculously proud of this one.  So proud that I have 4 pics!  Here they are:



The back isn't wonky, that's just the way I am standing.


Before pic

And just in case you were wondering what was under the jacket on the dress form:  It's an obi belt I made a couple years ago.  But I made it too big, so if anyone in the size 18-20 range wants a crack at it, let me know.  It's chocolate brown brocade with blue accents and the ties are blue and gold satin.

[StrangeFruits]

Did you want to trade for the obi? Beautiful work by the way!!!

[ghilie]

sure, we can personal swap.

[kitschbitch]

This is such a nice recon!  I especially love the form of the back!

AND, don't worry about your weight gain---from the pictures, you looks pretty good!

[opfiend]

haha my measuring tape complains that I don't use it enough! measuring pssh

your vest looks great!

[ghilie]

This is such a nice recon!  I especially love the form of the back!

AND, don't worry about your weight gain---from the pictures, you looks pretty good!

I *might* have doctored them by stretching them 110% in the vertical direction....MAYBE that happened. 

[kitschbitch]

Ha!  I'm going to have to try that!  (The doctoring as well as the vest recon)

[xvietgrlx]

And this is why you should always, ALWAYS check Target's clearance aisle. Amazing recon. I love it!

[narhloki]

I love how you've totally utilised the best bits of the jacket like the waist detail and the lapels, it looks great, congrats.

[ScotSkipper402]

I *might* have doctored them by stretching them 110% in the vertical direction....MAYBE that happened. 

The camera adds pounds and pounds, anyway. It's only fair to make the camera take a few off, if you can. So the looking good is legitimate. And I like your recon MUCH better than the "before". The racer-back is genius! (and slimming)