Simplicity 2665 - Black leopard vest w/ red topstitching

Here's is my first spring FO. It is extremely hard to photograph, even in full daylight. If you scroll down, I've included a bunch of close-ups so you can see the details better. The white blouse I'm wearing underneath was made last October.

I thought the pattern was super cute when it came out last month, and this fabric, which has been marinating in my stash for at least 3 years, wanted to be made into the vest. I did red lining and red topstitching for a pop of color.

I used thick heavy-duty thread for the topstitching and regular thread for the bobbin. I think the thicker thread shows up a lot better. I also used my walking foot to do the stitching so the outer fabric and lining didn't shift out of place. Here's the back, or what you can see of it:

Okay, so now you can see the stitches a bit better and the bright red lining. I used red thread to sew the buttons on. Notice this inset is sewn onto the vest with the 4th row of topstitching. I thought that a very neat detail.

Here's the full lining:

These back tabs aren't that noticeable, but another cute detail. I used red lining fabric for the under-tabs and under-pocket flaps.

This is a junior pattern, but I simply cut the 11/12 and had no fit issues. I do think junior patterns tend to run small in the bust. Not that this was a problem for me (having a small bust and all). I would totally have loved the shorts a few years ago. But now that I'm in my 30's with kids I just don't feel comfortable showing that much leg. I guess that's why ladies' shorts get longer and longer the older they get. :)

I finished the vest last Tuesday and have been working on these pants ever since. They're Vogue 1051, and after figuring out my first ever welt pocket and matching all the horizontal lines of this pesky plaid, they are unfortunately too small. Arg! Making pants is so hard for me!!! It didn't help that this fabric has zero stretch. And yes, I made a muslin, and thought I'd worked out all the fit issues with it.

I think I'll trace off this blouse today and get it cut out tonight. However, spring is here and I love gardening! All my plants are putting on leaves or flowering or emerging from the ground. This is the time of year I like to be outside working in the yard. It's a mad dash these next 3 months to get the dead growth cut off and new plants planted before the dog days of summer hit. So, I might be around a little less then usual.