Down to the wire with my entry for the Refashion Contest. It must be Thursday. I could never get the hang of Thursdays.
Burda Magazine patterns are frustrating because you have to trace out the pattern from a nightmare magic-eye pattern sheet. I finally managed to plow through it with the helpful suggestions of PR members and readers on my blog (THANKS FOR ALL THE FISH!). One person on the discussion board suggested listening to an audio book during tracing, and I threw on Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. That entire franchise has been my go-to media while working on this jacket, and therefore I'd dubbed it the Hitchhiker's Jacket.
I even added a babelfish to the collar near my ear to help with translations. :D
Got my towel and am ready to hitch my way across the galaxy!
Original Jackets
Babelfish detail on collar
Jacket front (on me)
Jacket back (on me)
Jacket front (flat)
Jacket back (flat)
Pockets
Pattern Description:
Slightly fitted, lined blouson jacket of leather, loden cloth, and wool jersey will keep you warm.
Pattern Sizing:
This is a Burda plus pattern, with sizes ranging from Burda size 44-52. I made size 46 at the shoulders and through the bust, and graded to a 48 at the waist and below. I probably didn't have to do that, as it's quite loose below the waist.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
For the most part. Because I was using thrifted material, a lot of the details and seamlines from the fabric's previous life are visible in a lot of the panels, especially at the front. But the shape and general lines are the same.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Oh geez no. I mostly just made it up as I went, relying on previous jacket-making experience and making things up on the fly. Burda Magazine instructions are horrible.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I fell in love with the leather pieces, the textural difference between the wool and leather, and the triangular yokes.
I found the sleeves to be a bit too loose, despite the claim that they're more fitted.
On my jacket, I really loved all the extra seamlines added due to having to patch together leather pieces, and even some of the wool panels.
Fabric Used:
A Danier Leather coat (garage sale find) and a Wool Nygard jacket (thrift store find)
Using this material was challenging. While you'd think it'd be easy to make up one shorter jacket from two longer ones, I found myself nearly short of fabric. I had to get really creative trying to get all of the pieces needed for my jacket, especially out of the leather jacket. There was a lot of piecing pieces, hense all the extra seams. If you'd like to see some of the problems and solutions I had, you can check out my blog post here on challenges with the leather jacket, and here for when I had to make due with scraps.
I was originally planning to use the lining fabric from the wool jacket, but neither jacket linings were in good shape. I wound up buying a dark green lining material from my local (crappy) fabric store. No idea what the content is because they don't list that on any of their fabric.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I graded from size 44 to 46 at the waist. I should've done an FBA, but the pattern size was my bust size, and I thought I'd be alright. It's okay, but next time I'll do the FBA.
After setting the sleeves and realizing how wide the sleeves were, I narrowed it by sewing a little more than 1/4 inch from one of the seamlines (it's a two piece sleeve)
Otherwise, I followed the pattern to the letter (except for where I didn't follow the instructions at all).
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
YES! The fit is actually quite nice, and I love the shape of the jacket.
Conclusion:
I love the final result. I think I love it even more than I normally would because I made it using thrifted material. Not only was it a great way to use old tired jackets and a learning experience in how good RTW jackets are constructed, but it was a great way to get decent fabric when my small northern city in the Yukon doesn't offer much of a choice!
Plus I saved money, which is important when you're an impoverished hitchhiker trying to see the marvels of the Galaxy for less than thirty Altairian dollars a day!
More pictures and some other details over at my blog. |
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Pattern with more than 5 reviews!
This is positively the most amazing reuse of garments yet. 100% wonderful!!!
11/15/12 10:59 PM
Your jacket is wonderful and you are adorable! Your stick-to-it-ness is amazing! I'm sure I would have given up long ago with the first roadblock.
11/16/12 0:14 AM
You finished! Congratulations! I love the jacket, it is super cute.
11/16/12 1:17 AM
What a victory
11/16/12 2:38 AM
How cool are you? I love that jacket! Epic win!
11/16/12 2:47 AM
This is the most incredible refashion I have ever seen. Splendid !!!!
11/16/12 3:43 AM
Great jacket! Nice combo of fabric.
11/16/12 5:00 AM
Fantastic Finish!
11/16/12 5:45 AM
Wow, you did a great job! What a beautiful jacket.
11/16/12 7:36 AM
Great jacket. You are very clever.
11/16/12 7:38 AM
Fantastic! I'm voting for YOU even though I entered. LOve your SciFi references too!
11/16/12 9:57 AM
Cute jacket--and very fun review. May your trip through the galaxy be amazing.
11/16/12 10:27 AM
Awesome, and you look great!
11/16/12 11:35 AM
Your jacket turned out beautifully! Very stylish!
11/16/12 12:01 PM
I'm totally going to pick your brains on the zipper ;) You did a fabulous job!
11/16/12 12:40 PM
Great job on the jacket and thanks for linking all the detail pictures.
11/16/12 8:24 PM
So long and thanks for all the fish! I must admit, I did not think you would get it done. You did an amazing job! Is that s-n-o-w? I remember s-n-o-w. Don't like it, it is cold! I bet you feel relieved and a wonderful sense of accomplishment.
11/16/12 8:52 PM
It's such a fun project! I thought it was a babelfish on your jacket even before I read your review.. :)
11/18/12 1:55 PM
Awesome job on this jacket! It looks great!
11/19/12 11:09 AM
You are truly amazing - the finished jacket looks awesome. Nice, nice work, and very creative and GREEN. Congrats!!
11/19/12 9:14 PM
WOW!!!! Fabulous!
11/20/12 10:48 AM
What a great jacket! I'd say it was worth any headaches it induced during construction.
11/21/12 1:08 AM
I would SO wear this jacket! Nicely done!
11/24/12 8:23 AM
Even though I have not been as vocal (type-ful?) as I would have liked on this contest (I'm the Scarfed Stripper!), I've been enjoying your comments, trials and tribulations alike, while starting your jacket. Great job. And, referring to your photo on Flickr, Where the Fruit do you you LIVE??? Brrrr ... Hugs, Tina in San Diego
11/26/12 8:32 PM