and hemmed the dress...so here is a little fashion show:
Dress with jacket
Dress alone
Jacket open so you can see all the hard work!
Some stats:
Fabric:
5 yards of Italian cotton from Emmaonesock
Notions:
4 yards of medium weight satin type lining from Metro Textiles
1 button
1 22" invisible zipper
yards and yards of bias binding
1/2 yard of interfacing
Construction:
This is a pretty easy jacket to sew. I, of course, changed a few things.
1. The jacket has three buttons as the closure. I tried this out and I just didn't like the way it looked on me. Tooooo Star Trekish...and while I'm a fan of the show, I don't really want to wear that look to work! So I used just one fabulous button and made the buttonhole on the diagonal to really showcase the button.
2. The entire jacket is underlined with the gray satin lining instead of just adding lining to the sleeves like the pattern suggests. Not only did the lining add weight to the jacket but it made it slide on and off so much easier.
3. I added interfacing to both sides of the collar. I thought that adding interfacing to only one side would make the collar really floppy...and even with my adding it to both sides the collar still flops a little. I used a medium weight fusible interfacing. I contemplated using a stiffer/heavier interfacing but I think the collar would have stood up like a military collar and that was not the look I was going for at all!
4. In both reviews on PR, they mention that the darts in the shoulder make your shoulders look really wide and really square...again that Star Trek look! I solved this problem by curving the darts at the end so they end more like dolman sleeve shoulders. I think this is working for me and solved the problem.
5. Because I underlined all of the pieces - the dart was exposed in the sleeve. I simply tucked the ends under and machine stitched them down.
The most time consuming part of this jacket is binding EVERYTHING and I mean everything! *LOL* My jacket does look a little different than the pattern envelope but it fits my lifestyle and my vision for my outfit. But I will not be making this jacket again. It is a little too distinctive. So I will have to find another pattern to use for the maroon coordinates...however, I have finished my first outfit from my "Elegant Fall Collection!"
Just a quick note about the coordinating lined sheath dress...it is made from my TNT dress pattern. It is lined with the same gray satin lining and not only will it work with this jacket but a couple of white cardigan sweaters from my closet also. I think the dress adds the perfect touch to the jacket. As a bonus there is a little over a yard of gray fabric left. So it will become a straight skirt to go along with the jacket and dress.
As a parting shot...a certain little man just would not be quiet until he became a part of the fashion shoot too!!!
...as always, more later!
Love the dress and the jacket Carolyn!
ReplyDeleteGreat job! I love the fabric and the button! I can't make out the label in the jacket--what does it say?
ReplyDeleteRose in SV
First time posting here. Had to tell you how much I enjoy your blog.
ReplyDeleteWhat a classy dress and jacket! Fit you to perfection. Love them.
MAR
Very nice with the jacket especially.
ReplyDeleteLittle man is just too cute.
Another beautiful creation from you! I love the classy style of it!
ReplyDeletehe is such a cutie, love your new two piece, looks great and that fabric is awesome, thanks for the close up
ReplyDeletejust lovely and looks perfect for your needs.....
ReplyDeleteFabulous job on the dress and jacket of course. But all is outshone by the little prince. I LOVE that picture of the two of you!!!
ReplyDeleteThe dress and jacket look great. Wonderful work! And that little prince is adorable :-)
ReplyDeleteLove the dress and jacket!!
ReplyDeleteGreat looking jacket and dress! I like the diagonal buttonhole design; I may have to borrow that idea in the future.
ReplyDeleteGreat ensemble!
ReplyDeleteWhat a little cutie!
Very pretty outfit.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful jacket and SUCH a cute baby!
ReplyDeleteYou look marvelous. I love, love the jacket.
ReplyDeleteAnd your grandson--so cute!
Beautiful! Love the jacket interior.
ReplyDeleteLovely outfit. You did a great job, and it looks perfect for work. I wonder why they draft patterns with straight darts at the shoulders? That would be enough to turn a beginner off to sewing.
ReplyDeleteThat's a very chic outfit! Elegant.
ReplyDeleteLove your outfit...
ReplyDeleteAnother very classy outfit! I like your curving of the shoulder dart. I wonder if it's drafted staight because a curved dart might look "scary", or if they couldn't agree on where/how much to curve? More likely because it was easier for them to do?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteLovely & classy ensemble.
ReplyDeleteI adore this outfit! I can tell it will go down as a classic. And the fabric is divine.
ReplyDeleteAs always...Love them! Your changes/tweaks are inspired. Can't wait to see what you do next.
ReplyDelete-Jane
Can I borrow that outfit for church Sunday??
ReplyDeleteThis outfit is gorgeous! Too bad you can't wear the jacket with the lining showing at all times -- it's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteVery Pretty! You did such a fabulous job! No wonder the little guy wants to help you show it off!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, you've been working a lot of magic since I've been away. A beautiful ensemble that looks very "corporate"I'm looking forward to seeing the other dress you are working on. And about your little prince. he's sooooooo cute. Don't you just love him to death?
ReplyDeleteLove the button, love the jacket, love the fabric. This is one where all the elements combined to make something that is spectacular beyond the individual elements.
ReplyDeleteAre you sure the jacket is too distinctive to have another one of? It's such a flattering shape on you.
Ann is right on point too, that is a great photo of you and Danny.
Love the outfit. I looked at this fabric, but didn't think it would make pants, my usual everyday clothing, but it makes a great dress and jacket. Great transitional outfit. Of course, your grandson does outshine his Grandma. January 8th is fast approaching and I can't wait for our grandson to make his appearance!
ReplyDeleteReally great combo of fabric, detail, and pattern. I adore the first photo of the fabric and the last photo of you two dolls especially. And yeah, the neckline of the jacket is a good one for you.
ReplyDeleteYou look mahvelous, darlink! I think this is one of my favorites of yours. Does Danny miss me? I miss him, the little cutie.
ReplyDeleteWOW that is nice! :)
ReplyDeleteAnother excellent work outfit! I love all the little details - they add a certain je ne sais quoi!
ReplyDeleteThat is really, really lovely Carolyn! Inspiring, as always!
ReplyDeleteWonderful outfit!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, I just came from the Vogue site, familiarizing myself with the pattern and line drawings. Seeing them made me appreciate the modifications you made even more.
ReplyDeleteWhere did your wonderfully coordinating bias binding end up? Between the facing and the lining on the jacket? At the armholes of the dress? It's hard to tell from the photos, and I'm dying of curiosity!:-)
This is a great look on you, and I enjoyed reading about your sewing adventures with V1127.
Kathryn
Nice outfit, as everyone else said. Love the last shot with Baby Boy. He has remarkable hair, and I wouldn't know you were Grandma instead of just a not very young Mama! He's a happy looking little fella.
ReplyDeleteWow! Very nice outfit. Nice job and the grandson, well what can I say! Enjoy him while you can.
ReplyDeleteLove it - that one button and diagonal button was such a great design choice! You look wonderful and chic as always, but that grandbaby is starting to steal the show.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I love that close-up shot of the jacket, really nice work!
ReplyDeleteNew To Sewing
ReplyDeleteHello Carolyn, I am new to sewing and I would like to invest my Christmas Savings in a couple of sewing related items. I need your advice. I would like to get a dressform. I'm looking at Uniquely You from allbrands.com Also, I have a budget of about $300 for a Serger. Please tell me which one will give me the most bang for my buck. (Brother 1034D FOR $299, Singer 14CG754 Pro Finish for $299 or Singer 14SH654 FOR $199) Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
NETTA BOO
Carolyn, your dress and jacket turned out beautifully! and omg, the little man is just soooo cute!! Great pic.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work Carolyn!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, your projects are amazing! I enjoy your blog immensely. I'm passing on the "Over the Top" Blog Award to you. I spread the word about you in my blog today: http://serendipityhandmade.blogspot.com/2009/10/one-more-over-top-blog.html.
ReplyDeleteNothing new to say, it's a wonderful ensemble. Great photoshoot too, and your grandson is adorable in it.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Beautifully sewn, beautifully modeled, beautiful little prince.
ReplyDeleteThe ensemble is fantastic - and so is your grandson. He is growing-up so quickly.
ReplyDeleteThe dress & jacket are just wonderful. It looks so chic.
ReplyDeleteYou seriously must have the best work wardrobe at your office.
ReplyDeleteDo you think the jacket runs large? It looks very fitted in the runway shot and envelope photo. I plan to make this suit at some point - do you think I should go down a size?
P.S. - I ordered the Cecelia Podalak book. Thanks for the suggestion. The lining book was $100+! Yikes! Must be good, but not in my budget this year...
As always... your fashion show is a success! And the little man brings out your smile!
ReplyDeleteYou were saying that you didn't think that you would use the jacket pattern again... but it looks so pretty! I know that you want something different... what about putting a different collar treatment on this pattern? It's a thought!
Awesome, Carolyn!!! This outfit is one of my favorites!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, and you will get lots of use from this. To me the outfit has that certain, "I'm a professional but I'm also friendly and approachable" look.
ReplyDeleteLovely, lovely! Very professional looking. Beautifully styled too :)
ReplyDeleteYou look wonderful in your new outfit. Great job!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great blog! And your out fit is beautiful and looks great on you!
ReplyDeleteKathy
Okay is that not the most adorable baby in the universe??? And so lucky to have YOU for a grandmother!
ReplyDeleteSorry it's taken me so long to post this comment. I LOVE this dress. It's got such a great shape. And I think you should make more of these jackets. They look great on you.
ReplyDelete