The Nolita Vest and Skirt Set Free Sewing Patterns

Effortlessly chic with a touch of whimsy, The Nolita Vest and Skirt Set is designed for the modern maker who loves versatility in her wardrobe. Imagine yourself moving seamlessly from a day at the office to evening cocktails with friends in an outfit that flows as gracefully as you do from morning to night.

The tailored vest, cut from sleek polyester duchess satin, offers sharp lines and a sophisticated silhouette, grounding the look with polish and poise. Paired with a midi-length skirt made from luxurious metallic pleated burnout brocade, the design comes alive with layered tiers that create playful texture and movement. Together, this vest and skirt strike a charming balance of professionalism and youthful elegance.

This stylish set is just as satisfying to sew as it is to wear. The vest lets you practice clean tailoring details for a sleek finish, while the construction of the skirt builds volume and fluidity with every layer. Stylish, transitional, and endlessly wearable, The Nolita Vest and Skirt Set is a celebration of refined tailoring meeting playful romance, giving you a polished look that’s as versatile as your lifestyle.

Essential Materials & Sizing Guide for the Nolita Vest and Skirt Set

Continue reading for a breakdown of what knowledge and materials you need for creating your very own vest and skirt set! We’ve got you covered with the recommended materials we used—if you want to follow along exactly—as well as a curated list of alternative fabric type recommendations if you want to customize your own version. The Nolita Vest and Skirt Set free sewing pattern download includes technical drawings for seam and silhouette visibility, plus a size chart to help you find your perfect fit!

Purchase Products Used Below:

Quantities indicated are for sewing a size small vest and skirt set. Toggle the ‘SHOP THIS LOOK’ box to find quantity estimates for other sizes.

• • 1.5 yards of Polyester Duchess Satin – Black – Dominique Collection
  • 1 yard of  Polyester Satin – Ultra Black – Reverie Collection
  • 2 yards of Metallic Champagne Waves Pleated Luxury Burnout Brocade
  • 1.5 yards of Polyester Satin – Pecan – Reverie Collection
  • 1.5 yards of Soft Nylon Tulle – Light Peach – Leonardo Collection
  • 1 each of Invisible Zipper 24″ by YKK – 573 Bright Khaki
  • 1 each of Dritz Nickel Hooks & Eyes Size 3 – 14ct
  • 1 each of Maxant Button Cover Kit – Size 24
  • 1 each of Gutermann Sew All Thread 100m – 370 Tea Rose
  • 1 each of Gutermann Sew All Thread 1000m – 10 Black
  • MDF466 & MDF467 – Nolita Vest and Skirt Set Sewing Patterns (Free downloads below!)

Alternative Fabric Type Recommendations:

The Nolita Vest is best suited for lightweight or medium weight fashion fabric and the Nolita Skirt lightweight or featherweight fashion fabric. Explore other fabric types or colors from our featured collections for your vest and skirt set with the links below.

• Vest

  • Tweed
  • Wool Suiting
  • Cashmere

• Skirt

  • Pleated Chiffon
  • Pleated Satin

Download Your Free Sewing Pattern

Submit your name and email in the form below to receive the download link for the Nolita Vest and Skirt Set free sewing pattern directly in your inbox. Mood Sewciety Patterns will send your free download link via email with the subject line: ‘Your Free Download from Mood Sewciety – The Nolita Vest and Skirt Set’ (in PDF format for A4 and letter-size printing).

© MoodFabrics.com / MoodSewciety.com – Mass production, resale, or distribution of this pattern in any form is strictly prohibited.

Find Your Perfect Fit

The Nolita Vest and Skirt Set Sizing Guide is based on the suggested design & wearing ease for this style. You can also choose the size according to your desired finished garment measurements, blending between sizes as needed. Measure the printed patterns to make sure the dimensions are according to the desired fitting and adjust if needed before cutting the fabric. For best results, sew a test garment in a similar fabric to adjust your pattern.

Note: Always read all the instructions before cutting the fabric!

How to Sew The Nolita Vest and Skirt Set

The instructions provided below are designed to guide you through sewing the Nolita Vest and Skirt Set from start to finish.

2 Tips for Sewing with Pleated Brocades

⇒Brocades are known to fray A LOT. Luckily, the pleats in this brocade helped the edges stay intact pretty well, but that may not be the case for all brocades. If your fabric is fraying a lot while sewing, try using fray check or even consider serging the raw edges.

⇒If you choose a pleated brocade like this one, make sure all your pleats are facing the same direction as you’re laying on the ruffles.

Pattern Pieces & Fabric Cuts Needed for Sewing the Nolita Vest and Skirt Set

NOLITA VEST

• (A) BACK CENTER
  • FABRIC – CUT 2 MIRRORED
  • LINING – CUT 2 MIRRORED
• (B) BACK SIDE
  • FABRIC – CUT 2 MIRRORED
  • LINING – CUT 2 MIRRORED
• (C) FRONT
  • FABRIC – CUT 2 MIRRORED
• (D) FRONT LINING
  • LINING – CUT 2 MIRRORED
• (E) FRONT FACING
  • FABRIC – CUT 2 MIRRORED
• (F) COLLAR
  • FABRIC – CUT 2 ON FOLD
• (G) POCKET FLAP
  • FABRIC – CUT 2
• (H) POCKET WELT
  • FABRIC – CUT 2
• (I) POCKET BAG
  • LINING – CUT 1

NOLITA SKIRT

• (A) SKIRT
  • LINING – CUT 2 ON FOLD
  • TULLE – CUT 2 ON FOLD
• (B) WAISTBAND
  • FABRIC – CUT 1
• (C) RUFFLE 1
  • FABRIC – CUT 1
• (D) RUFFLE 2
  • FABRIC – CUT 1
• (E) RUFFLE 3
  • FABRIC – CUT 1
• (F) RUFFLE 4
  • FABRIC – CUT 1
• (G) RUFFLE 5
  • FABRIC – CUT 1
• (H) RUFFLE 6
  • FABRIC – CUT 1
• (I) RUFFLE 7
  • FABRIC – CUT 1
• (J) RUFFLE 8
  • FABRIC – CUT 1

Sew with a 1/2″ seam allowance for all seams unless otherwise specified.

HOW TO SEW THE TAILORED NOLITA VEST

Step 1 

LINING DARTS

1. Mark the darts on the front lining fabric with tailor’s chalk according to the lines on the pattern.
2. Pin and sew the darts on both of the front lining pieces.
3. Press the darts with an iron towards the side seams of the vest.

Step 2

BACK LINING

1. Pin and sew the two center back lining pieces right sides together.
2. Pin and sew the two back side lining pieces to the sides of the back center pieces.
3. Press the back center seam open and flat.
4. Press the back side seams outwards towards the side seams of the vest.

Step 3

FRONT LINING

1. Pin and sew the vest front lining pieces to the vest front facing pieces, right sides together. Note: The vest front lining is made out of the lining fabric and the vest front facing is made out of the main fabric.
2. Press the seam open and flat.
3. Pin and sew the front and back lining pieces at the side and shoulder seams, right sides together.
4. Press the side seams and shoulder seams open and flat.

Step 4

SHELL DARTS

1. Repeat the steps from step 1 to place the darts in the vest front with the main fabric.

Step 5

SHELL BACK

1. Repeat the steps from step 2 to attach the back pieces of the main fabric together.

Step 6

WELT POCKET

1. Mark the location of the welt pocket according to the instructions on the pattern using tailor’s chalk on the front piece of the main fabric.
2. Fold the pocket welts in half long ways, wrong sides together.
3. Place the raw edges of the folded pocket welts against the center line marked on the front piece of the main fabric.
4. Pin the pocket welts to the top and bottom chalk lines and sew directly over those lines.
5. Use a rotary cutter to cut the shape shown in the photograph below into the wrong side of the main fabric between the two welt pieces.
6. Pin and sew the pocket lining right sides together onto the same seam that holds the welts onto the vest front, as shown in the photo below.
7. Flip the welts and pocket lining through the hole and towards the wrong side of the vest front.
8. Sew the side seams of the pocket bag shut, being sure to catch the triangular cutout from the welt hole and the sides of the pocket welts.

Step 7

POCKET FLAP

1. Pin the two pocket flaps right sides together.
2. Sew a straight stitch with a ⅜ inch seam allowance around the rounded edges of of the pocket flap.
3. Notch the rounded edges of the pocket flap.
4. Flip the pocket flap right sides out.
5. Press the pocket flap flat.
6. Fold the raw edge of the pocket flap in by ⅜ inch and press flat.
7. Top stitch the pocket flap above the welt pocket.

Step 8

VEST SHELL

1. Pin and sew the side seams and shoulder seams of the back and front main fabric vest pieces right sides together.
2. Press the side and shoulder seams open and flat.

Step 9

BUTTON LOOPS

1. Cut a piece of bias cut fabric that is 15 inches long and 2 inches wide.
2. Pin and sew the bias strip right sides together into a long skinny tube with a 3/4 inch seam allowance.
3. Use pinking shears to trim the seam allowance of the tube.
4. Flip the tube inside out using a tube turner.
5. Cut the tube into 5 pieces that are each 3 inches long.

Step 10

COLLARS

1. Line the notches of each collar piece up with the notches on the necklines of both the lining and main fabric vest pieces.
2. Pin and sew the collar pieces into place.
3. Press the seam connecting the collars to the necklines open and flat.

Step 11

FRONT CLOSURE

1. Place the vest shell and the vest lining right sides together, lining up the front openings and edges of the collars.
2. Pin around the entire front opening and collar of the vest, connecting the lining to the shell.
3. Fold the button loops strips into little loops and pin them in between the lining and the shell on the same side of the vest front that the welt pocket is on (Note: make sure that the loops are facing INSIDE the pinned lining and shell pieces, so that when the vest is flipped right sides out, the loops are also facing the outside).
4. Sew the entire front opening of the vest and flip it right sides out.
5. Press the seams around the front opening of the collar flat.
6. Press the lapel into the folded position.

Step 12

ARMSCYES

1. Flip the vest right sides out.
2. Reach your hand through the bottom of the vest in between the lining and the shell, grabbing the seams under the armpit of one of the arms.
3. Pinch the two seams between your fingers and fold just that part of the armscye right sides together, as shown in the photo below.
4. Keeping the two seams pinched between your fingers, pull the armscyes out through the bottom hem opening of the vest and place a pin to connect the two pinched seams, right sides together.
5. Begin placing pins all around the armscye, keeping the shell and the lining right sides together (Note: You will have to pull and manipulate the fabric a little bit because you are essentially sewing two holes to one another from the inside of the vest. Just go slowly and trust that all the raw edges will be hidden in the end).
6. Sew around the pinned armscye.
7. Cut notches into the area under the armpit to allow the fabric to lay flat when ironed.
8. Flip the whole vest right sides out again and iron the armscye flat.
9. Repeat the previous 8 steps to the opposite armscye.

Step 13

HEM

1. Flip the vest inside out again.
2. Pin the lining to the shell on the bottom hem of the vest, being sure to leave a small gap in the back so that the vest can be turned right sides out again.
3. Sew along the pins, being sure to leave the gap in the middle.
4. Flip the vest right sides out through the gap, being sure to poke out the corners of the front closure.
5. Iron the bottom hem flat, including a ½ inch fold along the gap.
6. Hand sew a ladder stitch into the folded gap to close it seamlessly.

Step 14

FABRIC COVERED BUTTONS

1. Note: For this step you’ll need to use a button cover kit to make buttons that match the main fabric of the vest.
2. Place a piece of the main fabric into the rubber holder.
3. Press the button top (or shell) into the rubber holder to push the fabric into place.
4. Trim the fabric around the rubber holder and tuck it into the back of the button top.
5. Press the button shank into the back of the button shell, encasing all the raw edges of the fabric.
6. Use the presser tool to push the button shank into the back of the button shell until it makes a “pop” sound, indicating that it is firmly stuck in place.
7. Repeat the previous 6 steps 4 more times to create 5 buttons in total.

Step 15

SEW BUTTONS

1. Mark the locations of the 5 buttons on the front of the vest so that they are lined up with the button loops on the opposite side of the front opening.
2. Hand sew each of the 5 buttons onto the chalk marks.
3. Button the fabric covered buttons into the button loops to make sure everything lays straight and flat.

HOW TO SEW THE TIERED NOLITA SKIRT

Step 16

SIDE SEAMS

1. Pin and sew the side seams of the lining skirt, leaving an 8 inch gap at the top of one of the seams for a zipper.
2. Hem the satin skirt lining with a double folded ¼ inch seam allowance.
3. Repeat the same process for the tulle underskirt.

Step 17

PREPARE RUFFLES

1. Sew a straight stitch along one of the long sides of each of the 8 ruffle pieces to keep the pleats in place.
2. Iron the opposite long end of each of the 8 ruffle pieces to make them flare out, ensuring that the pleats remain on the side with the straight stitch.

Step 18

ATTACH RUFFLES

1. The ruffles should be sewn to the tulle overlay portion of the skirt using the graphic shown below.
2. Ensure that as you are pinning the ruffles according to the graphic that each ruffle is folded over the side seam of the tulle skirt, making the back of the skirt a mirror image of the front of the skirt.
3. Start by pinning and sewing ruffles 1 and 2 to the waistline of the skirt.
4. Flip the first two ruffles up over the waistband to make room for ruffles 3, 4, and 5 to be pinned and sewn on.
5. Flip ruffles 3, 4, and 5 up over the waistband to make room for ruffle 6 to be pinned and sewn.
6. Pin and sew ruffles 7 and 8 asymmetrically on the bottom of the tulle.
7. Once all the ruffles are pinned and sewn, cut a slit through the ruffles on the side of the skirt that has the opening for the zipper.

Step 19

ATTACH WAISTLINES

1. Pin the waistband of the tulle skirt to the waistband of the satin lining skirt.
2. Sew the two waistbands together with a ¼ inch seam allowance.

Step 20

INVISIBLE ZIPPER

1. Pin one side of the invisible zipper to one side of the opening at the side seam of the skirt, right sides together, being sure to catch both the tulle layer and the satin layer in the pins.
2. Sew a straight stitch down that side of the zipper using an invisible zipper foot to get as close to the teeth as possible.
3. Close the zipper to perfectly line up the other side of the zipper tape with the other side of the opening at the side seam.
4. Pin the other side of the zipper right sides together with the other side of the side seam opening.
5. Open the zipper back up before sewing the other side of the zipper, then sew a straight stitch as close to the teeth as possible.

Step 21

WAISTBAND

1. Iron the long ends of the waistband towards the middle with a 1 inch fold.
2. Fold the entire waistband in half longways and iron it flat.
3. Close the ends of the waistband by sewing them right sides together then flipping the corners right sides out.
4. Pin and sew the folded waistband to the waistline of the skirt.

Step 16

SIDE SEAMS

1. Pin and sew the side seams of the lining skirt, leaving an 8 inch gap at the top of one of the seams for a zipper.
2. Hem the satin skirt lining with a double folded ¼ inch seam allowance.
3. Repeat the same process for the tulle underskirt.

Sewing Success: The Finished Nolita Vest and Skirt Set

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