Contenders For A Possible "It" Jacket

I have a desire for a new "throw-on-over-everything" jacket. A popular choice would be the "waterfall" jacket. This style is definitely enjoying an extended 15 minutes right now. Usually I do not like to wear what everyone else is wearing but some of these are extremely flattering, finish off an outfit so well, and most importantly, are SO MY STYLE, I can't help myself!

Check out some of the jacket sewing options from the Big 4:

Simplicity 1758, view C

New Look 6273

Butterick 5928, view C

  

Vogue 8756

Vogue 8839 view A

2) Another choice would be a cropped jacket with unique collar details.

The first pattern of this type that caught my eye was McCall's 6611 (OOP), from the Fashion Star collection. However, the pattern is now out-of-print and that has me worried about the construction and the consumer satisfaction level.

Here are some options from the independent pattern companies:

The Salme Patterns cropped blazer (#107) unfortunately does not have a lining; however, this leather version is so tempting!

Republique du Chiffon has developed the Julia pattern. It is a sophisticated design, but it is new, reviews are scarce, and the instructions are in/translated from French.

The Papercut Patterns' Bellatrix pattern is intriguing with its elongated rounded collar, semi-Princess seaming, and two hem length variations.

By Hand London came out with the more angular and boxy Victoria Blazer and I have seen some cute variations around.

Right now, I have a specific jacket in mind. I have my eye on Jen Beeman's Morris jacket, mentioned here on the Grainline Studio blog. Originally, part of a Hound collection from a few years back, I would really like this to be my new "IT" jacket. I love the unusual lapels and angled hem but it all depends on when the pattern is released.

3.20.2014 - General Update

What is going on now:

• My Crepe Suzette Clutch is done and I am loving it so much! Photos and review upcoming.

Simplicity 6145

• Simplicity 6145 muslin stitched up as a top - must cut larger size from waist down to accommodate bottom half and I have some small sleeve issues to deal with. Note: I cannot stand sewing slippery polyester fabric!!!
  
• Simplicity 5289 double knit dress cut out and all darts have been thread traced.
  
• Two different types of waistbands cut out for Grainline Moss muslin 3.
  
• Zippers and buttons acquired for all Spring 2014 wardrobe patterns. The buttons were all found in my stash and zippers only cost $4.
  
• Stepped into the Gap and feel in love with quality and fit of their Ponte blazer in Heather Blue ($88). A ponte blazer is a great idea, you should definitely go check it out. The sweatshirt-gray version was on sale for $47 in the store.
  
• On hold off-and-on with a service provider today for three hours, was getting close to conclusion when my phone died!!! Got back in line a few hours later and after being on hold another hour found out they could not do what I needed done. Arrrrgggghhhh.
  
• Checked out from the library copies of Sewing Lingerie and Sewing with Knits, two other volumes of the Singer Reference Library series. Highly recommend them and will probably search for a used copy of both. Already own two others from this series that I found for 99 cents each at Alibris.com.

The Magic Of The "It" Jacket

For the last two months, I have been thinking about a jacket. You know, one of those jackets that make every outfit look sophisticated and put together. In junior high, I had a Laura Ashley long black blazer with a nipped-in waist that I wore until I outgrew it.
 

Only slightly similar to this gorgeous jacket by blogger Boodely.

In college, I had a dark plum Anne Klein jacket of my sister's, this one was cropped, square with slight shoulder pads and a peter pan collar. I wore that until it was taken at a nightclub when I put it behind the counter with others. At the end of the night, they handed me the only jacket that was left back there. I put my arm through it and immediately knew it was wrong. How come the girl who took mine didn't notice? She never called the club to inquire about hers so I kept it. It was similar in the fact that it was boxy but it had a squared off collar and was more like a business suit jacket; therefore, it did not have the same feel.

1987-88 party wear.

I then moved on to oversized men's jackets, first a plain black one and then a 1960s sharkskin, both worn with the sleeves rolled up. The sharkskin was a unique color combination of spring green and brown that resulted in a bronze-y hue. It was extremely oversized; however, as looking back at pictures proves, the look worked. Probably in large part because I wore it with confidence and feminine vintage thrift store dresses with nipped-in waists. My waist was tiny then and I flaunted it with full skirts whenever I could, even sometimes with a pair of men's cordovan wingtips.

Similar to these.

I also wore this masculine jacket with vintage 1930's lace-up patent leather high-heeled oxfords, like the ones above. It looked cool at the time.

About six years later, I bought a khaki linen-blend jacket for $16 at a shop at Potomac Mills Outlet (it was Papaya!). I loved this summery jacket. Instead of buttons, it had copper snaps down the front, a waist yoke that nipped in with a bit of flare below, and interesting seaming and gathers at the bust line. It was finished with a crisp collar that looked great buttoned all the way up and snapped plackets on the long sleeve cuffs. Luckily, I have a picture because it was snatched up by someone in a coffee shop. I realized as soon as I got home but the shop was closed. When I called the next day, they said it was gone. I am still mad. Get your own cute jackets (since I obviously must have excellent taste) but leave mine alone!

I hope to use Simplicity 1781 to recreate it one day, mixing and matching the pattern's elements. However, before that I need a more universal jacket that will span the seasons and go with all my skirts and the new pants I intend to make.

Great unique jackets have been popping up everywhere I look, at Zara, Madewell, Mango, and by upscale designers. To see some of the jacket styles I am personally contemplating, check out my Jacket Inspiration group on Pinterest. In addition, versions of another possible style can be found by using the term "waterfall jacket". In the next post, I will show examples of sewing patterns available to create your own "It" jacket at home.

So...I Changed My Mind...Sue Me!

I know I said, "No more wardrobe plans" but yeah, I changed my mind.

Yesterday, we had a peek at what beautiful weather could be like and I became inspired again about clothes and pretty outfits. So I made this little plan up, most are projects that I actually purchased fabric for years earlier (save two projects with free fabric!). Recently, I have been making projects from either free swap fabric or recycling old fabric but I have neglected these and the already-spent money is making me feel guilty. Therefore, my plan (subject to changes) is to finish these off before August and the upcoming fall sewing. I have mentioned most of these recently but this spells it out clearly. So there.

The great thing about this plan is I have other priorites right now and I can't spend ALL my time reading sewing blogs so if I cut that down I also cut down seeing inspiration for other projects. THIS is what I will be working on so no need to scout more fabric or lust over new patterns. Any purchases, sewing, or research will be limited to these projects.

Supplies still needed to complete:

1. New Look 6656 - two 1/2" buttons (optional)
2. New Look 6145 - nothing
3. Simplicity 5289 - 22" zipper
4. BBW Sew U jeans - 3/4" to 7/8" button
5. Vogue 1992 - nothing
6. Grainline Moss - 7" zipper, 1-5/8" button
7. Simplicity 2591 - nothing

Muslins are in the works for two of them and I will be cutting one out in the final fabric this weekend! I am not promising which one will be next or when I expect to finish it. That is the kind of plan I can work with right now.

Aw Shucks, I Missed It!

Sunday, I was the featured member on Patternreview.com! However, I didn't find out about it until last night, so I didn't get to see a screen shot of it. :(

The funny thing is that I spent Sunday in Richmond doing an impromtu photo shoot in order to update the photos in my last two PR reviews for the Burdastyle 02/2010 #112A striped top and my Vogue 2747 yoked skirt.

Oh, well.

Thank you, Pattern Review!

Despite being extremely windy, this was photographed in beautiful 68 degree weather. However, this exact spot was covered in 4 to 6 inches of snow the very next day! Wow.

UPDATED: Look what I just saw on Pinterest! Funny, if had thought the weather was going to be that warm I might have been wearing my own heeled booties too.