Sincerest Form of Flattery guest: Jessica from Me Sew Crazy

Today's guest is Jessica from Me Sew Crazy. Don't you love her header? hilarious. 

 it makes me laugh every time.

I first found Jessica's blog during Project Run and Play, she submitted some awesome reader projects for the themes! I love checking out her blog to see what creation she's made now. (answer: always something new and cute) I have many, many of her clothing tutorials bookmarked! Some of my favorite projects of her are her braided belts, gathered pocket jacket, recovered umbrella (did you know you could do such a thing? I didn't!), and her petal tiered skirt.

 Your turn Jessica! (she has a great name also, dontcha think?)

I'm so happy and honored to be here! When I saw Jess was doing a series on Knock-Offs, I basically jumped up and down and waved my arms around to try to be a part of it...lol. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this fun series, and hello to all Craftiness is not Optional and Kojo Designs readers!

A lot of my inspiration comes from things I have already seen somewhere, or knock-offs. Often I change it up a bit, but sometimes the original is just so perfect as is, I don't want to mess with it. I search through magazines, have my eye out in stores, and browse through websites regularly, and when I see something I like I will clip it out and post it on my inspiration wall.

I find spam e-mails can come in handy too...like say, the one I get from JCrew. I will click it open, and find the most amazing stuff for my wall! Like this ruffle vest...

Want to know how my thought process goes? It's something like this:

Ohhhh...how cute!

I'm sorry...HOW MUCH?!!

Ummm...I can make that!

And that is how this adorable ruffle vest became a part of Chloe's Spring Clothing Collection...







I used a knit I found hanging on the sale rack in Old Navy (sometimes the XXL section can yield better prices then the fabric store!), and I fell in love with this gray and yellow combo.




Get the full tutorial after the jump!



To make the vest, you simply...


1. Cut out the front and back portions of any T Shirt pattern, omitting the sleeves.

2. Curve the front of the neckline Shirt pattern pieces, so that they meet lower (this is a vest, not a shirt).

3. Cut strips of the fabric to turn into ruffles.



4. Once all of the strips have been cut, I finished all of the bottom edges on each strip. I am using a knit fabric, and used an overedge stitch to finish each edge.

5. On the top of each strip, sew a line of gathering stitches. Gather each ruffle until it is the length of the front vest panel. Starting from the bottom of the vest, with right sides together, place the ruffle upside down and zig zag stitch the gathered portion into place.

6. Flip ruffle down, so that right side of ruffle is now outwards, and edgestitch top of ruffle to keep in place



7. Repeat with other ruffles, working your way up both sides of the vest. You will have this when done.

8. Now, with right sides together, pin the shoulder and side seams together on the front and back of the vest (include the ruffle sides in the side seam pinning). Sew together. Cut off excess ruffle / fabric from inside of side seam to remove bulk.

9. You will now have this. Lastly, turn under all raw edges and edge stitch closed.

And voila!



Ruffles can sometimes seem intimidating, but they really are not all that hard! If anything, in all honesty, they can be a little time consuming. But I think the end result is always well worth it!

Thank you again so much for having me here at CINO, and allowing me to be part of the Sincerest Form of Flattery series. I hope your readers enjoy the ruffle vest knock off as much as we did :).





Head over to Kojo Designs today for an awesome pillow tutorial by Erin from Lemontree Creations!

And don't forget to check out Knock Off Decor- the sponsor of this blog series! Inspiration and eye candy galore.