Last Jacket for 2009

BWOF 9-2009-103 Jacket

Fabric: Cranberry/Lacquer Red wool cashmere from my local independent store Treadle Yard Goods, that is sponsoring The Jacket Challenge. Entries due by February 5th. All 4 prizes include more fabric. Of course I had to enter. I need more fabric.

The buttons are pinned on. Hence the wonky look. I am determined to post this as an "almost work in progress". Almost done in my world. But you can get the general idea.

Design: For my D1 who is a size 34. I needed to grade down and I need to steam some more I see. She plans to wear this with jeans and black riding boots. She chose the fabric and buttons.

I am proud of this collar stand. I had no clue what a collar stand was until my re entry into the sewing world this year. I thought they were optional scraps of pattern pieces, to be thrown away with the other pieces called "facings".

In conclusion, a great jacket pattern. I may or may not enter this. I have one more jacket/coat to work on and I will choose the best by February 5th. Yikes. I go back to work next week. Who am I kidding?

Year in Review

• I am not going to count how many yards sewn, items discarded, items that were learning devices and items that made me smile and think, dang I am smart.....
• My re entry into the sewing world occurred when I stumbled upon LindsayT's website. There was a whole new world of gals my vintage and fabulousity (as Ann Steeves would say) that were either heading back into sewing or starting. It was then that I determined to head back in. Running races is fun, but at my age you never really improve- sewing you can improve and improve and improve..........

Looking Ahead 2010 Sewing Goals

• A Marfy, organza lining , doublecloth fabrics, welt pockets, stripes and plaids, tailoring techniques, another class or several , continue to improve, continue to encourage my D1 to keep sewing.......she is very talented.......I know you are reading this Alexandra Rose.....

Thank you to all my sewing ladies. The support and learning has made my sewing soul sing. All the best in 2010.

JoanneM

No Brainer

BWOF 9-2009-127 Jacket

Please excuse my crude title-but this jacket-like all BWOF jackets I have tried, is another no brainer. I LOVE their jackets. They fit straight out of the gate, and once you are accustomed to the goofy directions-you can apply that acquired knowledge to the next jacket. This was no exception. This is probably my favorite item of the year, jockeying for first position with my guipure skirt. Anyhow here is the info:

Pattern Review: I did not read the directions. I cut out the pieces, looked at the parts, did a quick assembly in my brain and went from there. Trust was established from the get go. This is a BWOF jacket and I love them and they love me......mostly.

Fabric: I love black, so any interpretation of this color in any texture is a winner. This is a French wool mohair boucle from emmaonesock purchased in the early fall. The lining is from Thai Silks. I even think it said neon pink, and I was looking for bubblegum. But I thought I was smarter than the fabric name, and thought there is no way, a silk charmeuse could be neon. Such arrogance was rewarded with the arrival of neon pink fabric. Oh well. Pink in any form is my second favorite color.

Changes: This fabric was THICK. I knew that and when I sewed the collar on complete with the undercollar and interfacing, it looked like a round bubble around my neck. I steamed the heck out of this thatched thick boucle and the collar was still a bubble. So I did sew around the collar to tame the puffy look. It worked.

Retrospective: I love it. It fits well and it is warm. This fabric was a charm to assemble, but was scraggy and lumpy, ends hanging out and a little scruffy. My sewing room looks like a black dog kennel, but it did clean up well. I do think this style would work in a thick fabric or even a suiting if need be. Maybe a linen?

The lining-trust me-it is is way brighter in real life..........

Next project..........yep....another BWOF jacket!

Thank You

A sincere thank you for all your wonderful comments about the Chanel. The learning was very necessary!

Next up is BWOF 9-2009-127, a double breasted short jacket coat in a black french wool mohair boucle with neon pink silk charmeuse lining. It looked bubblegum pink online, it arrived as brilliant neon. Yikes-it's bright-but cheerful.

Merry Christmas to all and a safe and happy New Year. All my children are home-the high schooler and the middle schooler, except one college student who sits for a final tomorrow evening here in town, and the other college student who is driving across the mid west tomorrow-before the predicted blizzard, I hope. I can breathe once he puts his dirty wash in the laundry room, and nukes his bedroom floor with his possessions.

Ahhh, the spirit of the season......it's all good.........

Chanel

The Chanel Knock Off

What did I learn?

• This fabric, silk/linen/cotton- not so good for a Chanel. This fabric has the structure of a cloth diaper. This jacket could be wadded up into a small ball if so desired. And it just might. So, it does resemble an earlier Chanel that is more sweater weight than a structured jacket.
• My next, true Chanel (months from now) will not have plaids. These were aligned perfectly and once the quilted lining was installed, this jacket shrank, moved, and shifted like you would not believe.
• I think this fabric stretched. How can that be?
• The quilted lining was a good experience. Laborious, but invaluable.
• Trim disaster. I ran out of trim for the bottom of the jacket. Why is it that I can buy enough toilet paper to last my household until Y3K, but neglect to purchase an extra yard of trim, now sold out? So we picked a similar match and if you don't look too close.........

Highlights

• The faux Chanel CC gold buttons D1 insisted on. They do look kinda official. Purchased from MandJTrimming NYC.
• She loves it. Whisked away to college before I had the chance to take decent pictures.
• I recall Birgitte from Bubblegum for Breakfast referring to her Chanel as a "ragamuffin". Amen sister. I get it.
• Overall-I enjoyed the experience. It does not meet my sanity standards, but for a first run, it was a great education, and I have one happy customer...........