Wednesday 4 July 2012

Free Downloadable PDF Pattern: Vest / Camisole / Singlet


I am so thoroughly excited to be able to offer you my first self-drafted FREE sewing pattern!!! It consists of two downloadable PDF documents, one containing the pattern pieces and the second containing full instructions on how to use this pattern and construct the garment. You will find links to both PDF documents on my 'Free Patterns' page.

This pattern has been graded to include UK sizes 8 - 16, which is US sizes 6 -14, Euro sizes 36 - 44 (Australian, Japanese and Italian sizes also explained in the size guide in the instruction PDF). It needs less than 60 cms or 1 yard of jersey, or even a large T-shirt plus some elastic and thread. Full details are included in the instructions document.


Thanks to the eccentricities of language and cultural difference, there appears to be no single English word for this type of garment, what I grew up calling a 'vest' is known to others as a 'camisole', 'singlet' and probably a myriad of other terms. But what I think most would agree on is how useful this type of garment can be. Whether you live somewhere that gets very hot, or are planning a holiday/vacation to such a place, this little garment might be just the ticket. Equally, if you want to keep warm, this will create a welcome extra layer under your clothing without adding bulk to your outfit. I can also recommend them for sleeping in!


This is such a speedy sewing project, and a great way to use up small amounts of jersey. I'll be specifically addressing how to use unwanted T-shirts with this pattern and sharing extra tips for doing so this Friday as the next instalment of my weekly Refashion Friday feature. So head over to the 'Free Patterns' page to download your own copy of this pattern and instructions.

I'd like to say a massive thanks to Claire from 'Sew Incidentally' for digitising this pattern and for being so patient and generally awesome. A truly generous lady.

Soon to come: free pants / knickers / undies pattern. Combined with this vest pattern, you'll be able to make yourself a super-cute undies set!

36 comments:

Claire (aka Seemane) said...

Yay! The pattern has gone live :-)
It was a pleasure working with you on this Zoe!

Leah Franqui said...

Thank you! This is lovely!
strugglesewsastraightseam.wordpress.com

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much! They're singlets to me, and as basic as they might be, they get *so* much wear in combination with more 'exciting' pieces. Looks like it might be time to start sewing my own...

wendy said...

Thanks so much. I agree, they are such useful items all year round and so far have never ventured to make one. Until today that is! Off to rummage through my leftover knit fabric.

Helen Made said...

Wow this is so great Zoe, thanks!

niddetissus said...

So cool, thanks so much! These are definitely are a staple of my wardrobe.

House of Pinheiro said...

I have downloaded mine, soon to be making.. how exciting

Kirsty said...

Thanks so much Zoe. Can't wait to make one!

Kathryn said...

Oh man Zoe you're the best!! Can't wait to make one of these. I wear a vest/camisole every day in the winter, nothing better for keeping warm (does that make me sound old? Never mind)

yoshimi said...

Thank you Zoe, you're super cool! Can't wait to make one!

Scruffybadger said...

Thank you zoe, this truly spreads sewing sustainably, and helps out so many of us aiming for handmade wardrobes from top to bottom! Can't wait to try ;-)

Anonymous said...

At last, your vest revealed! I've wanting to know what they looked like, now we can all have Zoe undies.

Sew little time said...

ooh lovely! i wear this sort of thing loads so will definitely be making one. would be great to use some of the lovely printed knits around - the vests you see in shops tend to be a bit plain and boring!

Masustak eguzkitan said...

Cute! Thanks for sharing Zoe. I have to give a try.

LLBB said...

Sweeeet! +, what scruffy said.

la inglesita said...

Coming from you it´s totally worth giving a try!!
Gracias Zoe

Sarah said...

Woo, You're the best! I've been meaning to fiddle around myself to come up with a pattern for this (to me, tank tops), and you've gone and saved me the trouble :)

Melizza Makes said...

Congrats on the pattern. Looking forward to giving it a go!

Gail said...

This is fantastic! Thank you, Zoe!

Anonymous said...

This is brilliant. I was looking to buy a Jalie pattern recommended on Cargo Cult Craft, but it was proving hard to find. This is great, I really appreciate it. I'll sort you out with a coffee when I download it.

Out of interest - can this be made using strips of jersey rather than the elastic? (Say like a neck binding)

Cynthia said...

Oooh, how exciting! Thank you so much!

Crab and Bee said...

What a sweet gift to the sewing community! Thank you, Zoe!

Gillian said...

Woohoo! Your first pattern! Thanks for sharing it with us - I'm looking forward to giving it a try. For what it's worth, I *think* most of North America calls this kind of clothing a "tank top". (I've never heard anyone in Canada or on American tv call it anything else, at least!)
Maybe if you added that to the description, more NA people would find it through searches? ;)

LLADYBIRD said...

You are amazing! Thank you so much - can't wait to make up a million of these :)

dixie said...

thanks for the pattern! this is awesome :)

Lynn said...

Thank you so much for this pattern, look forward to making a camisole.

Ellen said...

I always knew them as vest-tops back "in the old country" (England) but here in Australia they are singlets.

And I wear them all year round as extra layers now in winter, and alone in summer.

I plan on using the pattern to re-use some of the meaningful t-shirts I have kept in my drawer for years, many having survived the emigration just to sit unseen.

Can't wait to get started! Thanks!

Ellen
http://button-lover.blogspot.com.au/

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for the pattern, my daughter wears these a lot. I thought this might be a useful addition to the vest:http://www.journeytocouture.com/2007/tutorials-by-me/adjustable-straps/

pennylibrarian said...

Hello Zoe
Downloaded, donated and created! This is going to be such a fabulously useful pattern, thank you.
Penny

sorbetsurprise said...

What a great idea! I would call it a vest myself, there are so many ways you couls wear this!

Unknown said...

Zoe, thanks for this pattern! I went crazy and made three! They went together quickly and will fill a real need in my wardrobe. Just posted on my blog, if you'd like to see:

http://madebytrisha.blogspot.com/2012/09/i-heart-jammie-sets.html

Anonymous said...

thanks! in America, California specifically, it's called a cami (short for camisole)

shivani said...

hi Zoe! just having a spot of trouble downloading the cami pattern and instructions pdfs. not sure if it's to do with my PC settings, but if it isn't too much hassle, please could you send me a copy of the pattern pdf by email? just cracked my knits fear (and hubby just got too fat for a bunch of Ts), so itching to get started on these! x

Web Developers Delhi said...

What you're saying is completely true. I know that everybody must say the same thing, but I just think that you put it in a way that everyone can understand. I'm sure you'll reach so many people with what you've got to say.

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for the great pattern!

Fizillion Manager said...

i really like that i hope so its fabric is quite fine.
camisoles

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