Falling In Love With the La Bella Donna Again

……A Mini Pattern Hack Blog Post

I LOVE the La Bella Donna, or LBD as we like to call it. It’s such a staple in my wardrobe. It’s great for wearing under cardigans and it’s the perfect quick t-shirt. But~ did you know you can also use this pattern to create a “Coastal Grandma” vest for fall?? This LBD vest is a great transitional piece for Fall and it’s so simple to create!

The La Bella Donna is the $5 Feature Friday pattern today, 8/30/2024. You can use my code 10SEWMARY for an additional 10% off.

This blog post only includes information on creating this vest. If you want detailed info on the La Bella Donna pattern, be sure to visit this blog post. On this post I discuss fabric selection, neckline construction and how I mashed the LBD with the Classic Tee.

How To Create A LBD Vest

The following simple alterations need to be made to create a vest like mine.

• Size up one size(or more if desired)
• Trace your favorite V-neck onto the LBD Front pattern piece
• Omit the sleeve cuffs (optional)

Creating the V-Neck

• Choose your favorite V-neck from any pattern. I used the Classic Tee (Love Notions)
• Trace the V-neck onto the front of the LBD. (there are no changes needed to the back)
• Sew the front and back of the LBD together.

Creating the Lapped V-Neckband

• Measure the neckline.
• Use the V-neckband from the pattern you used for your neckline.
• Cut a neckband that is 80%-85% the length of your neckline.
• Instead of sewing the neckband together at the V, fold the neckband wrong sides together and press
• Overlap the front pieces and baste in place. (I like to baste my entire neckband.
• Now, insert the neckband as you would any other V-neckband.
• TIP~I always baste my neckband in place before stitching them permanently.

Sleeve Finish

I simply left off the sleeve cuff and hemmed the sleeves. You can always use the sleeve band if you prefer. I plan on making one with the cuffs this Fall.

That’s All! I told you it was a super simple hack!!!!!

Fabric Selection

The sweater knit I used had very little recovery so you can see that it gave me a slouchier look~ it also “grew” as the day went on”. Because of this, a vest was the perfect garment to make from this fabric. It’s perfect for summer worn with a t-shirt underneath and in the Fall I wear it with a Rockford Raglan underneath.

Just about any sweater knit will work for this hack. A knit that is more stable will give you a classic or preppier look. My fabric is a boucle knit I bought from Mily MaeFabrics a few years ago. The following sweater knits would work well, but remember their weight, stability, stretch and recovery will all play a role in how it turns out.

• Hacci Sweater Knit
• Any open weave sweater knit
• Rayon Spandex French terry
• Knit corduroy
• Waffle Knit

I have linked a few fabrics I think would work nicely below in the Fabric Resources.

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Thanks for stopping by! I truly appreciate all of you that visit!  If you enjoyed this blog post, consider subscribing to my blog to stay up to date with all my posts!  

Mary Anne 🙂

Remember to follow me over on Instagram to see all my latest makes! @sewmarymac

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You can grab the La Bella Donna pattern here.

You can grab the Classic Tee pattern here. It is only $5 and my discount code can be used on it as well.

This is an affiliate link. It costs you nothing to purchase from this link, it just helps fund my fabric addiction which allows me to test and review more patterns.

To receive an additional 10% off the pattern price, use this coupon code 10SEWMARY.This coupon code can be used at anytime on any pattern….even a $5 Feature Friday pattern. My code does change quarterly, so please always check the newest blog post for an update if you find a code isn’t working.

Fabric Resources

Raspberry Creek Fabrics has a great selection of printed Hacci Sweater Knits that would be cute as an LBD Vest.

Surge Fabrics has a great wide rib sweater knit called Seville that I “need” to make a vest from!

Mily Mae Fabrics has a few sweater knits in the prettiest colors that would work for a LBD Vest too!