Friday, February 13, 2009

The Prep Work Begins

I've been listening to Carolyn blog about how it is she can sew an entire outfit, or at least a garment, on the weekend. Her method is to have everything ready so she can just sit down to sew. To that end, today I'm getting all those pesky details out of the way so I can just sit and sew my jacket tomorrow. Only interruption I'll have is my appointment at 8 am to give blood. After that, I'm going to go out to breakfast. Going out to breakfast used to be a favorite past time before I started taking care of myself. Now I may just order oatmeal with real cream and brown sugar, but one needs not entirely forgo the things that make us happy.

Anyway, I've been studying the pictures of my last muslin and I still see problems. Really, I'm not as OCD as others are about wrinkles, but this one is an easy fix.

See how the fabric is collapsing under the bust at the princess seam? That is bothering me. So here you can see the fabric pinned out. I think it looks much better and all it will take is for me to cut and overlap the front and side pattern pieces.


As for the sleeve, what I think I'll try is a combination of lowering the sleeve cap and overlaping the sleeve to take out some of the 2" of cap ease. Kathleen Fasanella believes that there should be no ease, I tend to like some, but not 2 inches. I'm also going to make it a long sleeve. I've selected some winter type fabric from my stash. It's an olive/grey tweed and I found some satin backed poly textured fabric for the lining. While the lining fabric doesn't exactly match it doesn't clash either and the best part is it is all from the stash! I'm toying with the idea of an interlining since I'm making it for my NY trip. However, I will be wearing an overcoat too, so maybe I won't. Did I just talk myself out of an interlining?


These buttons were in my stash as well. I don't like either but if I had to choose, I'd pick the ones on the right. Unfortunately, I can only put my hands on two of them. I'm sure if I keep on searching, I could find at least one more. I'll probably go buy some instead. After all, I do need to do my part to keep the economy running.

When I get back from NY, I am planning on making the jacket again for spring in this stretch cotton toile.

It's been aging in the stash for quite a while. I also have some red denim that would make a great pair of jeans to go with this jacket. All I'd need is a white t-shirt, and I'll have a great spring outfit.

7 comments:

  1. Sherril, your jacket "deserves" its own buttons, eh!!
    The red/white spring outfit sounds REALLY pretty--all ready!!
    Soft hug,
    Rhonda in Montreal (PR)

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  2. Have fun with your jacket tomorrow. It's going to look great.

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  3. You're not OCD, just a great seamstress! I didn't notice the bust line dropping until you compared it to the pinned up one. Good luck on your sewing weekend!

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  4. Have fun this weekend! My votes are - yes underline (you'll be happier with the feel of the jacket) and yes - new buttons. The ones on the right are better but still... at least go look and see what you can find. All the hard work of a jacket deserves FAB buttons. And since you've done such a good job fitting, you deserve a little treat. OK, done enabling.

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  5. I haven't been following especially closely so forgive me if you've covered this already. Is this jacket going to be worn over a top? If so, try it on with a layer underneath before you make your final commitment to the good fabric.

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  6. Great attention to detail to spot that droop. The red and white outfit sounds like it will be very pretty for spring. I, on the other hand, am starting to think about winter clothes, lol. Hope your weekend sewing goes well!

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  7. This is coming along beautifully. FWIW, and I know you are petite, I automatically fold out across the upper chest, upper back, and sleeve cap, every pattern I use. This is Sandra Betzina's method of "petiting" the pattern. It has made a huge difference for me.

    You have this fitting fabulously so I can't wait to see the fabric starting to coalesce into you jacket.

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