The Ruby Vest is one of those handy to have pieces that makes an outfit feel complete. Layer it over a pair of jeans and a tee, or wear it over a simple dress to add shape and texture. It’s the kind of garment that works with so much in your wardrobe - and the kind that invites that lovely “Thanks, I made it” moment.
A super versatile design, Ruby Vest offers the choice of high neck or v-neck, tie front or button front, along with both cropped and full-length versions. The silhouette is softly structured with a relaxed fit, and through the hints and tips video included in the kit you can learn how to add a bust dart for a more fitted look. And because it’s fully reversible - YAY! - you’re really getting two looks in one, making it even more satisfying to sew and style.
Each fabric option brings a completely different look. The teddy adds cosy texture and softness, chambray keeps things classic and easy to wear, the vintage textured cottons introduce subtle character, and the mini gingham check adds a lovely contrast. It’s amazing how the same silhouette transforms depending on your choice.
The Ruby Vest provides the perfect blank canvas for playing around with different quilted looks. Lauren’s Top Tips video guides you through the process of quilting your layers together, creating soft diamond mini-pillow shapes. For a more pared back take on quilting, she also shows you how to add quilted dots to anchor the layers together, which give the subtle speckles seen on Lauren’s teddy vest.
There’s plenty of skill-building woven into this project; from quilting and neatly binding the edges to making your own bias binding from a rectangle of fabric. You’ll also learn how to add two different closure options for a clean, professional finish. It’s a creative, confidence-boosting project that leaves you with both a versatile layering piece and skills to boost your sewing toolkit.
This kit is available in three different colour and fabric combinations: cream & sage, pink & lilac or teddy & chambray.
The cream & sage kits contain two lengths of our Core Collection vintage cottons, in gorgeous soft spring colours. These are medium weight fabrics with a linen-like texture, which add character to the vest. They are 100% cotton, with a weight of 170 g/m² and are certified to OEKO-TEX Standard 100.
The pink & lilac kits contain a length of pink vintage cotton and a length of lilac micro-check seersucker fabric. The seersucker fabric is actually made up of tiny pink and blue squares, which make the fabric appear lilac from a distance. This fabric has a lovely subtle texture and is 70% cotton and 30% polyester, with a weight of 100 g/m².
The cream & sage and pink & lilac kits both also contain soft 80/20 cotton mix wadding for quilting the fabrics with. This wadding is light in weight but has a scrim layer for extra stability.
The teddy & chambray kits contain a length of our teddy fleece fabric in ecru with our indigo combed cotton chambray fabric. The teddy fleece is super snuggly and double faced, meaning it's lovely and warm to wear. This fabric has a weight of 430 g/m² too, so this kit doesn't require wadding. The chambray fabric is 100% cotton and comes in a lovely deep shade of navy. With a denim-like appearance, this cotton fabric has a beautifully soft drape and feels smooth to the touch.
To see the fabrics close up check out the video in the main gallery above.
The Syd Graham Ruby Vest pattern included in the kits is yours to keep. Not only will you have the full sized A0 print out, with all the variations and styles inside your kit box, you also have access to the PDF files for your future reference. This means you can remake the Ruby Vest in different fabrics and combinations long after this kit is complete - yay!
The Ruby Vest sewing pattern by Syd Graham is a fully reversible vest design with multiple customisation options. It includes four front variations - tie-front v-neck, tie-front high neck, buttoned v-neck and buttoned high neck - along with both cropped and full-length versions, allowing you to tailor the silhouette to suit your style.
Designed with a softly structured, boxy shape, the pattern is ideal for layering and works beautifully across a range of fabrics, from quilted cottons to textured cloths. Clear, step-by-step instructions guide you through the reversible construction and finishing techniques, helping you achieve a clean, professional result.
This pattern is available in sizes US 0-34. There are two size options for this kit:
Up to size US 22: Bust 31 - 49" (78.7 - 120.7cm), waist 24 - 42” (61 - 106.7cm), hip 34 - 53” (86.4 - 134.6cm)
Up to size 34: Bust 31 - 61" (78.7 - 143.5cm), waist 24 - 54” (61 - 137.2cm), hip 34 - 65” (86.4 - 165.1cm)
The full size charts, including finished measurements, can be viewed in the gallery above.
If you'd like to see how the Ruby Vest looks on many different bodies, check out the Instagram hashtag, here.
- The PDF digital files for the Syd Graham Ruby Vest. The link to the PDF instruction booklet and digital files for all sizes will be contained in your order confirmation email and are available to access when logged into the g&g website.
- A0 print out of the Syd Graham Ruby Vest pattern. All sizes are included on the pattern print out.
- Main fabric: vintage cottons and teddy as described above. Up to size 22 kits contain 0.9m (pink or cream vintage cottons) or 0.85m (teddy) and up to size 34 kits contain 1.25m (pink or cream vintage cottons) or 1.2m (teddy)
- Lining & binding fabric: seersucker, vintage cotton and chambray as described above. All up to size 22 kits contain 1.2m and all up to size 34 kits contain 1.55m
- Wadding: pink & lilac and cream & sage kits contain wadding. Up to size 22 kits contain 1.6m x 0.8m and up to size 34 kits contain 2.4m x 1m
- Swedish Tracing Paper: All up to size 22 kits contain 1.2 x 1m and all up to size 34 kits contain 1.65 x 1m
- Snaps: 1 pack of Prym 15mm press fasteners, antique brass
- Thread: Gutermann Sew All thread. Pink & lilac and cream & sage kits contain 2 spools and teddy & chambray kits contain 3 spools.
- Sewing Machine Needles: Schmetz universal needles, mixed pack
- Label: Sew in Yay / Me Made woven label
- Video: access to Lauren’s top tips video, as described below
- Free UK shipping!
Please note, the Teddy & Chambray kits do not include wadding, due to the thickness of the teddy fabric.
A physical print out of the instruction booklet will NOT be included. You can view the instruction booklet on your device at home, print it out at home, or add the 'printed pattern instructions' product (see link below) to your order and we will print it for you.
In her exclusive video tutorials, Lauren shows you how to:
- make bias binding from a rectangle
- create and adjust a toile using Swedish Tracing Paper
- quilt fabrics with wadding
- quilt around a dart
- use quilting techniques on teddy fabrics
- bind the edges of your vest
- add two different closures for a professional finish
With Lauren's guidance you'll learn the skills you need to create a gorgeous vest - a fun top layer to add to your wardrobe. This is a great project for those new to quilting too!
The two videos have over 55 minutes of footage, sectioned out with time stamps/chapters for easy reference and navigation.
The link to the videos will be contained in your order confirmation email along with the pdf files, please file this safely for future reference.
This pattern is rated as suitable for confident beginner dressmakers.
Techniques include quilting fabric, making and attaching binding, and attaching ties or snap closures. For a simpler make, the quilting can be ommitted.
To complete this project successfully you'll need a regular sewing machine along with Lauren's essential recommended sewing tools.
You can see some of the tools most used by Lauren in her top tips video in the Related Products section above.
If you would like a printed copy of the instructions sent out with your kit, in addition to the PDF copy that you will receive, please see the related products below and add it to your cart as a separate product.
Your kit will be wrapped in tissue and beautifully presented in recyclable packaging.
We will aim to dispatch all kits as soon as possible after orders are placed and aim to have all kits shipped out by Friday 20th March.
As Sewing Society kits are processed and shipped from a different location to the shop, we are unable to group together kit orders with past or subsequent orders or combine orders retrospectively. Please click here for the full g&g Sewing Society shipping terms.
