Layer Up With The New Evanston Vest

…A New Pattern Release From Love Notions

I was so excited to test this new pattern from Love Notions and I can’t wait to share my versions with you! I’ve made 3 versions of the Evanston Vest I’m finishing a 4th one over the weekend) and I have more planned. I really LOVE this pattern and I’m sure you will love this pattern too!

The Evanston Vest is on sale today, Friday 1/10/25 through Thursday 1/16/25 for just $9.50. With the purchase of this pattern you will also get the free “Tool Kit” (if you haven’t already). You may use the code MARYMAC10 to get an extra 10% off.

The new Evanston Vest will be such a versatile addition to your closet! The possibilities are truly endless. Whatever your personal style is~ you’ll be able to make a vest you’ll love! But believe me you won’t make just one!

What’s your style???

• A Classic or preppy button placket
• A Cozy Cowl
• A sleek professional V-neck
• A Casual scoop neck.

The Details

• Designed for knit fabrics
• Meant for layering
• 2 lengths~ high hip and below hip
• 4 necklines~ button placket, V-neck, cowl and scoop neck
• Optional patch pockets
• Hem Options~ Split hem, straight hem, plus a hem band for the high hip placket version
• So many combinations!
• Perfect for all seasons!
• Skill Level: Beginner Friendly (the V-neck placket will take a bit of precision)

Sizing and Fit

The Evanston Vest is available in sizes XS-5X.  A Full Bust pattern piece is included (like all new and updated LN patterns). Choose your size based upon your high bust measurement. If in-between sizes choose the smaller size.  

 If your full bust is more than 4″ larger than your high bust, use the included Full Bust Front pattern piece. Remember that if you use the full bust pattern pieces 2″ will be added to the Finished Measurements of the waist and hip. If your hips are larger than the size you are starting with you can always grade out for your fuller hip. Keep in mind if you use the Full Bust pieces you may NOT need to grade out at the waist/hips. Many times pear shaped sewists are tempted to start with their hip size.~ this isn’t recommended as the neckline and shoulders will be too large for you.

The Evanston Vest is designed to have a loose fit. The longer length is designed to hit below the hip. The shorter version is designed to hit at the high hip. The vest is designed to have a slighted dropped shoulder.

*All Love Notions patterns are designed for the average 5′ 5″ woman.

Drafted Ease

• Bust- 5″
• Waist-!0″-11.5″
• Full Hips- 5″-6″

My Sizing Alterations and Modifications

For my versions of the Evanston Vest I made an XL with the Full bust piece graded out to a 2X for my hips. This is exactly where my measurements fall on the sizing chart. My high bust is 40″ while my full bust is 45″. Technically my hips are just outside of the 2X size range, but I did not grade out any more since the full bust option adds an additional 2″ to the hip.

For my V- Neck and Cowl Neck versions (Cowl neck version is still being sewn and will be added over the weekend) I used the below hip length. I did shorten the pattern 2″ since I am only 5 feet tall.

For my Button Placket version I used the high hip version and I did not shorten it at all.

Fabrics and Notions

The Evanston Vest was designed for light to medium weight knits. Fabrics such as sweater knits, jersey blends, interlock knits and French Terry would all be suitable. More specifically the following fabrics would all work nicely:

• Double Knits for the V-Neck and Placket versions
• Waffles knits for the Cowl neck or scoop neck versions
• Boucle Knits for the V-neck and Placket versions
• Drapey knits would work best for the cowl or scoop neck versions

The amount of stretch and the recovery of the knit fabric will have an affect on the way your vest looks. You can see how mine seem to fit differently, yet they are all made from the same size. Be sure to take a look at the tester/Ambassador versions, see what fabrics they used and how they fit them.

Notions

• Thread
• 4-5 1/2″ buttons for the placket. version
• Tricot Knit interfacing for the placket and V-neck versions

My Fabrics

My Tan V-neck version is a stable cable knit version with minimal stretch but good recovery. This required me to shorten my arm bands. This fabric was purchased from Joann Fabrics a few years ago.

My Gray Fair Isle sweater knit version is from my Style Maker Fabrics stash. It has a nice amount of stretch but not the best recovery. I also shortened the armbands on this version. You can see my vest appears to fit looser.

My button placket version is a sweater knit from Surge Fabrics a few years ago. It had good stretch and recovery. I made no changes to the arm bands. I omitted the buttons/buttonholes from this version simply because I couldn’t find any I liked enough. I’ll be in shopping in the NYC garment district in the next week or so and will easily find buttons I like!

*EDITED TO ADD: I finished my Lt Blue Brushed Waffle Sweater knit version and it’s my favorite!! This snuggly sweater knit was perfect for this vest!!

I am currently working on a Brushed Waffle Sweater knit version. It has great stretch and recovery. It is much more stable than the average waffle knit. You can find this knit at Style Maker Fabrics. The light blue I used is no longer available, but a beautiful gray and oatmeal is still available. *You can find that fabric here.

Sew Mary Mac’s Tips for Sewing the Evanston Vest

• The most important tip when sewing the Evanston Vest is all about the armbands!!
• Baste your arm bands on first! Do not sew or serge directly on. Because of the knits vary in stretch and recovery percentages, you may need to shorten the armband. Unpicking knits isn’t easy and you can easily make holes in your fabric. Basting stitches are much easier to remove.
• After basting on your armbands, try on your vest and determine is you need to shorten them or not. If they stick out or are too loose under the arm, you will want to shorten them.
• Do NOT try on your vest before you have the armbands sewn in! Doing so can easily stretch out the armholes.
• Use knit tricot interfacing on the button placket version and the V-neck.
• When sewing the V-neck version on Page 13, Step 2 add a small square of interfacing at the base of the V. This will help prevent this area from stretching out~ especially on stretchier knits.
• If adding the optional pockets, place a strip of interfacing across the pocket top before constructing them. This helps prevent drapier knits from creating slouchy pockets.
• Don’t skip the pressing of the armbands, neckbands and placket. This can really change the look of your vest. Pressing often makes the difference between a “home made” garment versus a “hand made” garment.

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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

You can also follow my Facebook Page~ Sew Mary Mac. On this page you will find information on my makes from all pattern companies. If I know of any good sales(pattern or fabric) I will also feature this information. I have had many of my loyal followers send me friend requests on Facebook. I do post in the Love Notions group under Mary Anne MacLean, however this Facebook account is private. There is no sewing content on that Facebook Account.

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You can grab the Evanston Vest pattern HERE,

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 MARYMAC10. 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. This code is good through March 2025.