Pages

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Thursday Thoughts

Yesterday I made a very dedicated effort to go to work but got no farther than the end of my driveway! To add insult to injury I also locked myself out of the house. I had to walk around the corner to a friends house in almost knee-deep snow and ask him to drag himself out of his nice warm bed with his wife and assist me! He helped me get in the house and he and another neighbor managed to get the car unstuck. Not all was lost. I did manage to finish my jacket and can I say "I LOVE IT!"



The lining made all the difference in the world. Between Claire Schafer's High Fashion Sewing Secrets and Jackets for Real People I tried several new techniques that all worked perfectly. I especially liked Claire's tip for fusing the hems-both jacket and sleeve. After I interfaced the hem with fusible interfacing, I marked and turned up the hem allowance and steamed it in place. Next I fused Steam-A-Seam 1/4" from hem edge and removed the paper backing. Using the JFRP bagging technique I sewed the lining in only allowing a hem seam allowance of 3/8".  I treated sleeves that same way. Once the jacket was turned inside out I fused the hems into place. It worked like a charm.

I just need to give the jacket a final steaming and start on the matching slacks. That's one jacket down and eleven to go! I like this jacket so much I can imagine making eleven more just like it! After the work I put into drafting the lining, which I must say fit the jacket perfectly, I will make this jacket again but not immediately.


I'd also like to add that having good sewing reference books is a must. Every sewer will eventrually run into a situation that requires knowledge they may not posess and what better way than a good reference book. Sure the internet seems to be where everybody gets there information nowadays but I'll never give up my books!

25 comments:

  1. Love it! I was so thankful for yesterday's snow day that I decided to work from home today.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The jacket looks great. You are inspiring me to sew my B5147 jacket that has been cut since August....lol

    ReplyDelete
  3. Glad you were able to get back in the house. Be thankful that you have good neighbors. They are rare these days. Your jacket is lovely and good you were able to have a productive day. Learning new techniques paid off.

    ReplyDelete
  4. You saved the day.....completing your lovely jacket. I can visualize this being a very versatile style and color.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great looking jacket. And yes having a good sewing reference library is a must.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow, this is one fabulous jacket. And so classic, that, yes, I can see 11 variations on a theme! Congrats!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great jacket! A very nice basic one to go with just about anything! I'd really like to see it on you too!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love your new jacket. What great fabric. Can't wait to see the whole ensemble. Stay safe!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow this is one great jacket! Very Professional! And you are so right about needing good reference books, that always helps when needed!

    ReplyDelete
  10. OMG--locking yourself out of the house on a day like yesterday! Oh, my! I once locked myself out with my nightgown on! Your jacket looks wonderful. Nice sewing!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Nice jacket!! I have been in the house for two days due to the snow!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Very nice jacket, and I agree with you about the reference library.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great jacket, love it! Glad you were able to get back into your house safely. Thank God for great neighbors!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Nice job! I agree with you regarding the reference books. I cant live without mine.

    ReplyDelete
  15. so sorry you had a rough start to your day! I love your jacket, though! Lining almost always makes the difference.

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is beautiful and so well made. You'll really get a lot of wear out of it!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sorry you had such an adventure! Glad you finished your jacket and it turned out beautifully. Amen about the reference book they are my salvation when I'm in a jam. You mentioned a neat fusing technique. I'll have to try it out.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Fabulous jacket - no wonder you love it! I can see this getting worn a lot - it's such a nice looking wardrobe basic.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks for all the nice comments ladies. The jacket is a navy colored tropical weight wool and oh so comfortable.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great jacket and thanks for the tips on fusing the lining. I MUST get my copy of JFRP out and READ IT! :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Your jacket was worth being snowed in.

    ReplyDelete
  22. You ended your day well after a bumpy start. The jacket looks terrific!

    ReplyDelete