The Autumn Collection 6pac

I might have mentioned it before, but I've decided that I want my August/early September sewing to be garments made during the Autumn Collection 6pac sew-along that's presently being discussed on Stitchers Guild.  

Elizabeth (ejvc on Stitcher's Guild) has set up the following guidelines to use to plan a collection:

ONE jacket -- neutral
ONE bottom (skirt or trousers, though for autumn, I like trousers) -- dark neutral if you're pear-shaped, lighter if you carry weight on top
TWO underlayer tops, one ideally in a print combining your colours, one in a contrast neutral
TWO overlayer tops, one coloured, one neutral

and possibly

ONE more bottom -- skirt if you've done trousers, trousers if you've done a skirt, or a dress if you like them

Of course, I've already customized the plan to fit my needs:

One jacket from tan linen (NL 6788)
One bottom - pants (TNT pattern) from tan linen for a suit type look
Another bottom - straight skirt from tan linen again from TNT pattern
Two underlayers - will be dresses (both will be prints)
One overlayer - cardigan - Burda 8869 (TNT cardigan pattern)

I have another two/three pieces I want to add in a red linen to really mix and match with this but I'm using my underlayers as dresses and I've added one additional bottom.

So far I haven't been kicked to the curb for adapting the rules! *smile* I like the fluidity this sew-along provides and it will also allow me to complete two and possibly three more JAM's (Jacket A Month).  As I stated before I'm sewing my pieces during the month of August and into the Labor Day weekend for an early fall/transitional 6pac wardrobe while the regular sew-along lasts from August to October.

I've made my fabric choices...they are actually occupying one end of the loveseat in the living room and I have a general idea of what patterns I want to use but for the dresses that's still flexible right now.  I just know that I want to reproduce this pantsuit in the tan linen as the basis for my 6pac:

front view

back view

The jacket is from NL6788 and the pants are from my TNT pattern.  I made this pantsuit three years ago and it's still a hardworking outfit in my work wardrobe.  It's perfect for corporate meetings and goes with several other dresses and a skirt so a tan version would be great.

I haven't decided what patterns to use for the dresses...maybe a new one and one that is a rendition of my TNT pattern...I don't know.  I just know that I want these to be my go with the flow patterns.

There are a couple yards of red linen in the pile that I want to incorporate into this grouping.  From it I want another jacket and another version of The Rachel Skirt.  I've also got an idea for a funky version of a SW Mission Tank top to complete the set. I know that these extra pieces will put me at more than the six garments required for the 6pac but I have the fabric and a plan so I'm going for it.  

I'm really looking forward to sewing up this collection.  It's been awhile since I've sewn a planned group of coordinates and I like the challenges that this type of sewing gives me.

...as always, more later!

New Look 6788 - Finished

The jacket is the cornerstone of the new wardrobe that I am constructing. And taking a leap of faith, I used another New Look pattern...actually my experience with this one was pretty good. Probably because I was expecting a hard time and actually made allowances for it with this pattern.

Here is a pic of the finished jacket over a tank top and a pair of black linen pants from my closet:

Changes to the pattern:

~Added a center back seam

~Added topstitching - alot, alot of topstitching to the jacket using the Saddle Stitch on my Janome 8000 - Stitch #17.

~Added patch pockets to the front of the jacket instead of the inseam side pockets with the pocket flap on the side. Also added buttonholes and buttons to the pockets

~Added more buttons to the front of the jacket than what is suggested

Pattern Alterations:

~Normal bicep alteration to the sleeve; created a longer sleeve band due to the bicep alteration

~Inserted an inch to both the front & back pieces by slashing and spreading

Some pics:

Jacket inside out so you can see the finishing...rayon seam tape bound seams

Topstitching on sleeve

Yoked front with button

Jacket hanging and buttoned

A back view:

The next piece that I'm working on is the pants. Then I think I am going to work on a different dress...well the dress will go with this collection but it was not in the original plan. The McCalls dress will also stay in the collection, I just got an idea for something a little different and I wanted to include it. The pieces in the collection are a little fluid right now! *smile*

However, this is a great jacket and will work with many other pieces in my wardrobe. I don't know if I will make it again because it is pretty distinctive. Also each blouse/top will have to be carefully considered before construction because the neckline is pretty wide on the jacket and it will be important to strike just the right balance. So I did use a new pattern and hopefully New Look will grade more of their patterns up to a size 22 or larger.

New Look 6788 - The Jacket

No, I didn't finish it yet! *LOL* But I wanted to do an update on the jacket progress while it's still fresh in my mind...and I'm going to be really busy at work for the next week so I probably won't blog again until the weekend...

This is where is where I stopped on the jacket:

The buttons aren't on yet...just doing a button check to see which ones I like the best. I did add a few things to the jacket that the pattern doesn't call for...all the seams are bound instead of just serge finished. I also added a center back seam to the jacket...it provided more opportunities for fit and I like the way a jacket hangs on me better with a center back seam.

I used the saddle stitch on my sewing machine for topstitching...and I topstitched everything including the darts. Hey it's a gray jacket and it is a little boring looking...

Also I decided to add patch pockets to the front like the JJill inspiration jacket after taking pics of the jacket front because it just looked toooo basic!

Finally I thought that I would share my topstitching tip with you. So how do I get perfect topstitching? 3/4" transparent scotch tape and directional stitching...I lay the tape right down the center of the seam and I stitch on either side of the tape...making sure that I stitch from the top of the garment to the bottom on both sides of the seam...no rippling of the fabric that way.

Like I said before I won't be posting much this week...so I hope you have a good one and I will see you on the weekend!!!!