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Embellishment Explosion #44
Geometric Vest 
By Pauline Richards, Total Embellishments

This design can be completed in several different ways: 

1. The designs can be sewn out on a computerized embroidery machine using Cactus Punch ® Signature Disk # 18, Great Shapes. The designs can be sewn on small pieces of fabric and then the individual pieces trimmed and blanket stitched to a garment.

2. If you enjoy doing appliqué, the shapes can be cut from UltraSuede ®, felt or flannel, sewn or fused to fabric pieces and then the pieces can be appliquéd to a garment.

3. If you enjoy satin stitching, use the shapes to inspire your own geometric shapes. Stitch out your shapes on fabric pieces, trim the individual pieces and then appliqué into place.

Materials Needed for Design

• Your favorite extended sleeve vest pattern

• Steam-A-Seam 2™

• Stabilizer

• Thread to blanket stitch the shapes to the base garment

• Pinking or scalloping shears (optional)

• UltraSuede scraps in a variety of colors for faux piping

• 1" wide UltraSuede strips to bind garment edges or binding of your choice

• Wonder Tape™

• Air-soluble marking pen

• Plain colored, low-fray fabric for patches

If you plan to embroider the shapes you'll need:

• Embroidery thread

• Tear-away stabilizer

• Spray adhesive

• Great Shapes Disk

If you plan to cut the geometric shapes from fabric you'll need:

• Black UltraSuede or another low-fray fabric

If you plan to satin stitch the shapes onto fabric patches, you'll need:

• Black embroidery thread

• Stabilizer

Preparing the Shapes:

• Apply the shapes to fabric scraps

• Trim around the shapes, cutting 1/2" to 3/4" from all edges

• Apply small strips of Steam-A-Seam 2 to edges of patches

• Arrange patches as desired

• Back the garment, under the decorative patches with stabilizer and blanket or satin stitch the patches into place

Making the Unlined Vest:

• Sew the shoulder and side seams

• Trim away neckline and center front seam allowances

• Create faux piping by cutting colored UltraSuede pieces into 1/4" wide strips, using pinking or scalloping shears. Pieces should be between 3" and 5" long

• Place stabilizer under all outside edges to prevent stretching as the piping and binding are secured

• Secure the strips to garment edges, edges alternating colors

• Bind all raw garment edges with bias cut fabric strips or prepared UltraSuede strips. 
  If you're using UltraSuede strips, secure Wonder Tape to the wrong side of one edge. (Wonder Tape will allow you to accurately position the binding and will prevent rippling or distortion.) Position the strip evenly along the faux piping and press to secure. Fold the raw edge to the underside. Sew along the taped edge, permanently securing it and the loose under edge to the garment.

• Remove stabilizer

Geometric Shapes

More Information on Total Embellishments

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