I’ve had Butterick 5534 for quite some time now. This pattern was released in 2010 (not sure if that classifies it as vintage), but I kept it because I really like this look. Well, I finally made a garment from the pattern. So here’s my take on Butterick 5534 with this vest I made. If you aren’t aware, vests are “in” nowadays. It seems that my trendy clothes are always classics.
Pattern
The pattern includes a vest with two variations for the collar, a skirt and pants. Vests are semi-fitted and lined, while the skirt is straight and above knee length. Pants are semi-fitted and straight legged. Again, these are pretty classically designed garments that are stylish for any time.
Fabric
I bought the fabric at JoAnn’s Fabrics (you can see it here). It’s a soft and washable fabric that would make a great suit. I consider this medium weight fabric.
Sewing Process
First of all, I haven’t made a tailored garment in quite some time. The last time I made a vest was more than a decade ago. And for whatever reason, constructing a lined vest is one of those things that seems to confuse me. I can make a lined blazer without these problems.
![B5534 Vest](https://i0.wp.com/sewlimitless.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/52542828001_0008a6e1c5_c.jpg?resize=533%2C799&ssl=1)
The part that I find confusing is in attaching the front facing to the lining. I’m actually not convinced I did it correctly, but I got it done. Because the fabric is weighty, there is some bulk in the seams. That’s something to keep in mind for the next time.
![B5534 Vest back](https://i0.wp.com/sewlimitless.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/52543375393_f270f4e3d8_c.jpg?resize=560%2C800&ssl=1)
I’d like to make another vest just to get the process right!
Overall, I like the tailored look of this. It didn’t take too long to make, even with the problems I had. The pattern is out-of-print (OOP), but it’s available on Etsy and Ebay.
![Butterick 5534 Vest front](https://i0.wp.com/sewlimitless.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/52543375508_298590b799_c.jpg?resize=533%2C799&ssl=1)
![Butterick 5534 front](https://i0.wp.com/sewlimitless.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/52543123714_46a986cca2_c.jpg?resize=533%2C799&ssl=1)
Have you made a vest or a tailored garment late? Let me know.
It looks great. I am so happy vests are back in. I made a tailored Burda vest in the 1980s. It included my first welt pockets and bound buttonholes because the fabric frayed too much for sewn ones. Burda instructions are always sketchy, so I relied on my Singer Tailoring book for details.
It finally got too frayed to wear about a decade ago. But until then it was the foundation of my work “uniform”. Fancy brocade vest over shirt with pants or skirt. I recently discovered I have enough left of the expensive and now unavailable beautiful fabric to make another.
Thank you. I should check my BurdaStyle magazine for other patterns (I forgot about those).