Japanese Cotton Vest

 I bought this wonderful Japanese Cotton at Britex, one of my favorite fabric haunts in San Francisco.  The pattern fabric is a collage of different traditional Japanese patterns;  the navy sides and lining, are a high quality navy cotton, also from Britex.  It is so dense
that it wrinkles minimally.

I decided to showcase the fabric just in front and back panels - allover is a LOT of pattern.

I wanted to make something that was  highly wearable in our Florida heat.  This could conceivably be worn alone,
although I like a T-shirt underneath.

I used the 'Easy Silhouette Vest Pattern' (IJ730) from Indygo Junction.  It is fully lined with the navy cotton, except for the front facings which of course, are patterned since they show up as the lapels.

Although the pattern does not suggest it, my training told me to interface the front section and the collar using a light fusible interfacing.  I used two snaps for closure as I didn't think it needed any more detail from a button.

I made bias tape from the plain navy fabric to face the armholes.  I have a Simplicity Bias Tape Maker, which seems like 'just another sewing gadget' but is very handy for these kinds of projects (and particularly if you need to make yards of quilt binding).  By binding the armholes this way, also, I could put right sides together, sew all around the periphery, (except the shoulder seoams) and turn it right-side out and handsew the remaining seams.  I always have to think pretty hard about how to sew in lining like that;  I usually end up ripping out at least one seam when I can't completely turn it right-side out!

I've worn the vest several times and enjoy it.  I love unique fabrics, and I think this qualifies!