Vested Interests

 Vest, gilet, waistcoat, jerkin, bodywarmer, weskit or doublet*...whatever you call it, this item is so useful at this time of the year. Something which covers your upper torso, and adds an extra layer of warmth, but is sleeveless - so doesn't restrict arm movements, or prove impossible to fit on underneath a coat or jacket. You see a lot of them round here - popular with gardeners, stablehands, market traders, and members of the hunting-shooting-fishing brigade. If you are working outside, they are an invaluable part of your wardrobe. 

Ten years ago, when we lived in Kirby Muxloe, Liz sent me a link to the Joules catalogue. Out of my price range! but I picked up a navy fleece gilet from a CS - originally Edinburgh Woollen Mills - and it has served me well for a decade. But it has worn very thin and had some stains. I looked again in my wardrobe

I have two fleece jackets with sleeves. In the years before retirement, I kept one here for cold days. It was my official jacket when I was involved in the organisation of the Baptist World Alliance Centenary Congress in Birmingham in 2005. But it is good quality and warm. I decided I could cut off the sleeves and hem the armholes. 

That would have been the easy thing - but I decided to go one step further. I had some great floral IKEA furnishing fabric, leftover from making covers for my mate's garden furniture in 2017. 

I cut out a lining, folded under the edges of top, bottom and zip, and handstitched them in place inside. Then on the outside,  I used the machine to 'stitch in the ditch' along existing lines [including side seams] to hold everything firmly. I folded the inner fabric out, over the edges of the armhole to make a 'self binding' finish.

It fits well, and is long enough to keep my bum warm when I'm bending over the Raised Bed. The pockets are big, and zipped, so hold keys, phone and purse safely. And the edged armholes, and pretty lining are a special detail. I spent an hour or so outside on Friday and was warm and snug all the time. Upcycling at its best!

*Nobody wears doublets any more. Ancient Tudor joke "did you hear about the court minstrels? they were so poor they had to pawn their doublets and sit around in their singlets". A doublet was a double thickness [ie lined] garment, usually worn with "hose" [tight fitting leggings] I have altered and lined my fleece jacket, and now it is a doublet!

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