DIY: How to make a sweater Vest
Cross Stitch:
Thread your needle and tie a knot at the end of the thread (knotting both ends of the thread together so you have a double thread)
Thread the needle through one side of the fabric and secure the knot (do a tiny stitch to make sure the thread can’t pull out)
Join the two ends of the fabric with a stitch looping through both of them. Have both panels laid flat and the sides you are stitching touching but not overlapping. Repeat this stitch a few times on top of each other to make sure its secure. Be careful not to pull this too tight (it needs to be tight but not too tight that the fabric is too drawn in)
Create a X with thread going from left top down the bottom right - like this line \ - (visible) then stitch straight up (under the fabric) with the needle coming out on the top right. Then stitch back to bottom left (visible) to complete the X (line like this /)
Repeat this stitch all the way along the seam. Make sure the stitches are secure and tight but not too tight - the fabric should be flat and not drawn in too tightly.
Head to the video below to watch how to do it
Step One:
Place the pattern pieces on a table and arrange the patchwork pieces to fill the front. The panels have been preplanned and cut to the correct sizes so should patchwork together easily with all the pieces lying next to each other
STEP TWO:
Now the patchwork is arranged, you need to stitch it all together. Start by sewing all the short seams to create the larger panels and then when the larger panels are made you can stitch the longest lines at the end. Make sure when you stitch, not to pull the X too tight and not to overlap the fabric layer. You may find it helpful to have the fabric flat on the table and (sort of) hook the needle through. This gives the best result for secure stitching and keeps both layers nice and flat. Don’t worry if you get a few bumps - you can iron these out.
STEP THREE:
When you have stitched the front and the back, you need to stitch the shoulder and side seams. Place the shoulder next you each other (laying them both flat on the table) and stitch them flat together. Do this on both shoulders then for the side seams, again, lay the side seams next to each other and keeping them flat - stitch them together. Is is slightly different from normal sewing where you put the front on top of the back but here, we want them both next to each other, so the seam lies flat.
And you’re finished!!
