Made It Monday: Simplicity 2728

Sound the alarms. I started, finished, and am wearing a garment. It ain't perfect (um, two button holes for one button because I put the first button hole on the wrong side - who does that?) but it'll do.

In an effort to provide images of what things look like on the body, I braved 40 degree temps and utter embarrassment. You're welcome.

This shot was captured at 7:04am and I surely entertained my neighbors as I ran back and forth between camera and brick wall. No need to tell me I shouldn't quit my day job to become a model; I've got miles to go on striking a pose.

Outfit consists of some sort of weathered black jean-ish trousers from TJMaxx, white tank from Old Navy, gray ballet kitten heels, pearls (standard), and Simplicity 2728. I kinda dig this "study in neutrals" I've got going on. Sure, it's casual as compared to my normal work wardrobe but I like the feeling of warmer weather that it suggests.



Now to the question and answer session.

Pattern Description and Sizing:

Project Runway jacket with sleeve and collar variations. Regular sizing schedule and I made a 10. I normally make either 8s or 10s in Simplicity so I'd say the measurements were accurate and there's not too much ease to mess things up. I made absolutely no alterations to the fit.

Fabric Used:

A linen chambray from Hancock. It's a good neutral color and the thread named "nutmeg" is a perfect match, so it runs on the warm/pink side of browns.
The lining is a lilac poly found in my stash. I love using up stuff that has been sitting on the shelves.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing it?

Generally, yes. The envelope doesn't show the particular combination I chose (bow collar, 3/4 sleeves with no extra adornment, pleated pockets, no back buttons) but you get the gist.

Were the instructions easy to follow? What did you particularly like/dislike about the pattern?

Uber easy. In fact, they're probably unnecessary. Though totally unusual for me, I actually liked constructing this jacket more than wearing the finished product. The pattern is very well drafted and the pieces come together in a very logical fashion. I also really liked the continuous facing on the inside of the jacket. The result is a neat and tidy marriage between lining and fashion fabric, crisp inside corners and all.

If I had to pick one thing I don't like about the jacket it would be the proportions of the collar. I can't quite explain it but now that I'm wearing the jacket, the bow feels a little off. Like it's too small, starts too high, ends too short, I don't know. It just seems a bit out of whack.

Pattern alterations:

Since this pattern package comes with so many "designer additions," as the PR series calls them, I can proudly say I restrained myself and made this little item straight off the paper. Oh, but I did tack down the outside edge of the bow to keep things in place and that was not suggested anywhere in the pattern.

Would you sew it again? Recommend to others?

Pleased with the overall fit and in love with the construction process, I will likely sew this up again with a different collar and sleeve style. There's something subtly feminine about this jacket so it's a nice addition to the otherwise suit-heavy work wardrobe. It's a perfect jacket for those looking to make something a little more interesting than most of the stuff that's in the "easy" category.

Conclusion?

I give it a 4/5. It's wearable, washable, and most importantly, a finished item. The hardest part of getting back into anything is starting up, right?

WIP Wednesday: Jacket!

First, if you are able, please view a few seconds of this clip:

http://www.hulu.com/watch/19681/saturday-night-live-suze-orman

Did you hear the part about the "jaaaaaaacketttss!"? Yeah, this is what runs through my head any time I think of starting a jacket! project. Ms. Orman might be giving swell money advice but other decisions appear to be more questionable. Surely that clip helps validate my hesitation, no?

So anyway I'm fighting desperately to get back any shred of sewing talent I had in the garment department. The pattern du jour (literally, I seem to start - and throw away - one almost every day) is Simplicity 2728. Despite the aforementioned jacket! worries this item won out because fit problems in jackets! can usually be remidied without throwing a fit, if you will.

Survey says....undecided. Construction has been easy. Material presses really well, despite the evident wrinkles that suggest otherwise. I'm using a linen chambray from Hancock in a versatile neutral. And, um, that's all I've got to share so far. Unintentionally this week's design theme appears to be "bows." If next week's theme shows up as "scrunchies" I forgive you for discontinuing your subscription.

Ooooh! Before I go, how's this for follow through?

Matt saw me assembling my lunch the other day and asked if I was making a grown-up Lunchables. Charming grade school association yes, but these Lunchables don't have mystery meat as a star player (no offense, my friends at Kraft).

Guest Blogger Pattern Review: Butterick 5332

And now for Ann's second contribution. I don't know about you but this little number makes me desperate for spring.

Pattern Description:
Butterick 5332 – Jacket A

Pattern Sizing:
8-10-12-14

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
As much as my jacket can look like a drawing…yes! My collar ended up a bit wider, but it’s because I didn’t pull the top part of the jacket over as much as they do in the picture (I thought the seams lined up better if I didn’t pull it as far over as they say to).

Were the instructions easy to follow?
I struggled with this jacket like I’ve never struggled with a pattern before. The seam-ripper was my best friend. I think what threw me is that multiple instructions combined into one step, which when read properly should be easy to figure out, but for some reason I kept skipping over steps…then realized that I had unfinished sections in odd places. Probably my fault, but it was HARDLY fast or easy.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I disliked that they called it fast & easy. There were lots of steps, and lots of curves that required meticulous sewing. Even though I’m more on the beginner side, I do think I’m a good sewer, and this was a really tough jacket.

Fabric Used:
Oh gosh…I can’t remember exactly what it is… It’s a thick cotton, almost like a light canvas. The pattern said lightweight denim could be used too, which I looked for but didn’t find a color/weight I particularly liked.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
The back of the jacked seemed unusually wide, so I took it in about ½ inch on each side to make it less “billowy”. It helped with the fit a lot. I stupidly used a heavy interfacing (rather than a light-weight interfacing) for the collar…but that has nothing to do with the pattern, just another sewing lesson for me.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes and Yes! I really like this jacket! Very summery in nature. The style is wide and boxy, so be prepared that it won’t show off one’s shape, but is perfectly comfortable.

Conclusion:
This was such a frustrating jacket to finish after removing seam after seam…and sometimes removing the same seam twice. I almost just left it for the pile of unfinished sewing projects, but I loved the color I chose, and was hoping that in the end it would be worth all the stress, and it was. It’s comfortable and perfect for work or weekend. As soon as the weather is perfect for white capris…I’ll have this jacket on immediately.

Adorable, right? I admire Ann's tenacity in finishing what seems to have been a tricky garment. My track record for the last few months hasn't been so inspiring in that department... :)

Guest Blogger Pattern Review: Kwik Sew 3529

Cue the trumpets and cymbal crash! We've got a pattern review on the blog for the first time in months! And, all thanks goes to our guest blogger Ann, who was kind enough to write up not one, but two pattern reviews while on the road to Jersey. This is friendship, people. So let's get to the goods. I'll post one today and one tomorrow.

Pattern Description:
· Kwik Sew 3529, empire waist jacket

(pattern image from kwiksew.com)

Pattern Sizing:
· XS-S-M-L-XL

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

· Yes, it looked very similar. The lapel on the one I made looked a bit larger than the one on the pattern picture, but overall the shape mimicked the picture very well.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
· Although I’ve been a beginner sewer for 15 years, I tend to take on difficult patterns. This pattern was much easier than expected (once I finally brushed up on the basics of pattern-reading…and reached out to Catherine on more than one occasion with “what does this mean again?” type questions).

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
With not too much to compare it to at this point in my less-than-expansive sewing career, the pattern was fine, nothing stands out one way or the other. With more patterns under my belt I’ll probably have a better perspective.

Fabric Used:
The pattern called for a non-stretch fabric, but I found a deep purple cotton with a bit of stretch in it that I really liked so I decided to try it. Because the jacket is so tailored, there is no need for a stretch fabric, but as I discovered it doesn’t affect the shape. A darker color (or thicker fabric) is necessary because there is no lining for this jacket (which surprised me, but made the construction easier for me).

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
The only think I altered was the position of the empire waist. Even in the picture on the pattern it looks almost too low for where the gathering is. The gathering ended up being 3 inches below my bust line, which was very strange positioning for such dramatic gathers that should be directly under the bust. I took the jacket apart and moved the empire waist seam up about an inch…which still wasn’t enough, but it looks better. I should mention that I am very short-waisted, so I thought this could be the problem, but this shouldn’t affect where the empire waist fits under the bust.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I’m not sure I’ll sew it again because the shape didn’t fit my body as well as I would have liked, and I wasn’t totally sure how to fix the problems. The top half was very wide, but the bottom was snug. The gathering in the back also ended up being really bulky…which probably affected the fit in the front. It’s a great looking jacket for work, so I’d suggest it, but with the caveat that the empire waist location should be measured before sewing (I don’t think the pattern had an area where you could shorten the waist…but it might have).

Conclusion:
Overall I was pleased with this jacket, mostly because it’s the first (finished) thing I’ve sewn in probably 8+ years, and it didn’t turn out to be as lopsided as I thought it might given my rusty skills. It’s a good shape for me, and I hope I do end up wearing it!

Doesn't it look great on her? It will be a perfect spring wardrobe item once that season finally arrives. Please leave a comment if you have any questions for Ann and I'm sure she'd be happy to answer them!

Now batting 0 for 2

I have nothing to say.

Alright well maybe just a few things. Go ahead and give McCall's 5980 a whirl, if:

1. You like your jacket peplums to look like Judy Jetson's skirt

2. You enjoy buying the exact fabric the pattern calls for, only to have it produce a horrendous drape (or lack thereof)

3. You prefer to spend your evenings using crappy finishing techniques that clearly give your garment the not-so-coveted "home sewn" label

4. You like your sewing projects half-finished - particularly when it's so bad you gleefully throw it (and a good chunk of change) in the trash just to move on.

That is all.

New Project: M5980

Let's cut to the chase: it's time to get back to some everyday garments. Or at least those that stand a chance at getting worn more than twice. Enter this jacket from McCall's.

My style of choice is the blue number (A) rather than the red, which takes the term "coat tails" to an extreme.

Fabric choice? A black imported (oooh) wool garbardine fresh off the Vogue remnant racks, naturally. Lining is to be a deep teal satiny substance and I need to find one fabulous button for the front. By fabulous I mean understated yet eye-catching. I'm going for a fresh take on the classic riding jacket here - this will give me an excuse to go buy some knee-high boots and skinny pants to complete the look.

The fabric is cut and tonight comes the lining and interfacing. I took a pic with the zebra drapes in the background to kill two birds with one stone. Look for that tomorrow when the camera battery has been charged.