Stylish casual lined zip-front jacket with hood hidden inside the wide collar.
Pattern Sizing: 4
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes, very much.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes. I followed the excellent and very detailed Minoru sew-along posts on Sewaholic's website. These posts are a great way to break down a larger project into manageable smaller steps. The sew-along also has extra notes and tips and is very well done.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Its an excellent pattern with lots to like! The only changes were to add outside pockets and a drawstring cord with toggle in hood.
Fabric Used:
Supplex originally purchased from The Green Pepper for my husband's jacket but he changed to navy with the teal as a contrast, so this is the remainder. The fabric is soft to feel with a cotton hand and high tech Zepel water-repellent finish. Its lovely quality and TGP's service was A+
Lining is a lightweight DKNY silk (the fun letters are DKNY too) from The Fabric Store with Spotlight Sunsilky (anti-static) lining for the sleeves.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
Sleeves: I used the square shoulder adjustment from Sharon's toile plus a little extra width for the sleeve ... many thanks Sharon
Front & back bodice: Side seams were sewn with a 1cm seam allowance, then the hip curve was straightened by 2 cm at hemline tapered to waist.
Collar: continued the DKNY lining up into the inside collar as a design element. Since this is visible when the collar is open, it provides a nice balance with the lined hood and navy contrast in the zips.
Construction notes
Pockets
Zip pockets were added to the front, using the same method and pattern as my husband's Green Pepper jacket.
Hidden pocket attachments were reinforced with an organza patch (behind lining) and a strip of Supplex to prevent the button from tearing the delicate silk.
Front placket and collar were interfaced by doubling up/interlining these pieces using the main nylon fabric (as fusible interfacing not ideal for adhesion to nylon)
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Most definitely.
Conclusion:
Such a comfortable, lightweight and stylish yet casual rain coat. We have had so much rain lately that I anticipate the coat getting a lot of wear!
PS: I did put it side-by-side with my husband's jacket and (thankfully) they don't look too matchy matchy (a possibility that only occurred to me after I'd finished the coat so am somewhat relieved)
MelissaB in WA said... Amazing coat! I need to get crackin' on mine so I can I wear it. Love the color too! 2/14/13 10:49 PM
Sarsez said... Once again, a beautifully thought out and sewn project. I'm enivous of your wardrobe! 2/14/13 10:58 PM
velosewer said... Sandra, this is so much better that RTW. It's stunning and I can see from your adjustments that it will sit perfectly on your shoulders. Great adjustments as always. 2/14/13 11:43 PM
Renata said... Perfection in every way. You can start on mine any time you are ready. 2/14/13 11:46 PM
Renata said... Perfection in every way. You can start on mine any time you are ready. 2/14/13 11:47 PM
Schnauzer said... Beautiful work as always, Sandra. Superb! 2/14/13 11:55 PM
CynthiaSue said... super super pretty!!! 2/15/13 0:37 AM
leoniep said... I am in awe of your skill! You've done a beautiful job. 2/15/13 1:00 AM
sewpelican said... A super looking coat , great stitching and a most helpful review. I doubt I will be sewing this as it's pretty advanced sewing for me 2/15/13 1:36 AM
ArtAttack said... This is SO cute and such incredible work! I love it...great color 2/15/13 1:38 AM
mnitts said... Great job! Looks fab. 2/15/13 2:03 AM
margk said... Great review and superb jacket! 2/15/13 3:59 AM
rivergum said... Fabulous jacket! You are such a talented sewist, beautiful technique and design. 2/15/13 4:02 AM
mm said... This is stunning. I am in awe of your sewing. 2/15/13 4:16 AM
Anne Cherry said... This is wonderful! I love your posts..such great detailed explanations. 2/15/13 5:21 AM
Elke said... Great looking coat! Thanks for the informative and very helpful review. 2/15/13 6:29 AM
julie w said... Love your jacket, as already been said perfect. 2/15/13 6:47 AM
PattyE said... Wow, great jacket! 2/15/13 9:12 AM
Rhoda K said... What can I say but ditto what everyone else said! Just a fabulous jacket and workmanship! 2/15/13 9:46 AM
meggipeg said... You are the sewing queen. Amazing! 2/15/13 9:49 AM
NJcowgirl said... Beautiful and I love thecolor. 2/15/13 10:04 AM
sewbehind said... You've improved on a great jacket pattern. Very professional results. Bravo. 2/15/13 10:29 AM
NC Carol said... Another great review for the Minoru. Thanks for sharing all the details. After 10 years in the Seattle area I can get pretty excited about raingear! LOL 2/15/13 10:45 AM
cleverkitty said... Gorgeous coat, love all the pictures :) 2/15/13 11:21 AM
Michele Lommasson said... Wonderful jacket! I love how it turned out. Great review. 2/15/13 11:40 AM
Sigrid. said... Though living in a country known for the many rainy days, I've never thought about making a rain coat. till now. Don't know if I get to it, but your superb version and helpful review certainly make me think I could do it. And the style attracts me too. WONDERFUL!! 2/15/13 1:46 PM
thegreenviolet said... Wow! You've used a cute pattern to create a very functional coat! I'm very impressed. Cute gear is hard to fine. 2/15/13 5:48 PM
lexi11 said... That is just fantastic!! 2/15/13 6:22 PM
Morisot said... Love the color, love the lining, love the high collar, love the hood...well, you get the idea! Love your jacket. 2/15/13 8:27 PM
sfshaza said... Your workmanship is always superb, Sandra. I didn't think I needed this pattern until I saw your review! It's gorgeous and perfectly made. 2/15/13 9:49 PM
Jrhee said... Wonderful! I bet it looks really cute on. 2/16/13 1:32 AM
Sharonspils said... superb coat Sandra and so glad I could help. Love the colour and your attention to detail is perfect. 2/16/13 3:46 AM
marec said... What a beautiful coat! I am saving your review to add to my faves so my next Minoru will be more pro! 2/16/13 9:26 AM
Michele Lommasson said... I am going to buy this pattern today. I hadn't thought it to be very inspiring until I read your review. : ) 2/16/13 10:32 AM
booran said... Absolutley stunning - you have done a brilliant job 2/16/13 9:30 PM
MNBarb said... I don't even know where to start with my comments. You have taken this pattern that everyone loves and constructed it to perfection. Your details are like the very best of the best RTW. What an educational review. Your sewing skills are amazing. 2/17/13 8:39 AM
cocosloft said... I love that you did this in such a pretty color! Beautiful. 2/18/13 0:23 AM
Terri A said... Beautiful! 2/19/13 11:53 PM
LM2HYD said... Beautiful job and a fantastic review! 2/20/13 9:18 PM
Dilliander said... Gosh, many thanks for the kind comments. I've been enjoying the jacket this past week, as it (surprisingly) has continued to rain. Kudos to Tasia for a magnificent pattern!! It really is a lovely style and beautifully drafted. Highly recommended, I'm already planning a second version ;) 2/21/13 4:44 PM
Jstarr4250 said... Your skills are such an inspiration to me. This is stupendous - wow. 2/22/13 6:57 AM
sew2little said... This is a fabulous jacket--it looks like high-end RTW--and I mean that in the best possible way. 2/23/13 3:51 PM
LizJaneB said... Wow wow wow. This is an awesome version of this pattern. 2/24/13 3:43 AM
Pattycrafty said... Wonderful sewing accomplishment! 6/15/13 11:39 AM
Amazing coat! I need to get crackin' on mine so I can I wear it. Love the color too!
2/14/13 10:49 PM
Once again, a beautifully thought out and sewn project. I'm enivous of your wardrobe!
2/14/13 10:58 PM
Sandra, this is so much better that RTW. It's stunning and I can see from your adjustments that it will sit perfectly on your shoulders. Great adjustments as always.
2/14/13 11:43 PM
Perfection in every way. You can start on mine any time you are ready.
2/14/13 11:46 PM
Perfection in every way. You can start on mine any time you are ready.
2/14/13 11:47 PM
Beautiful work as always, Sandra. Superb!
2/14/13 11:55 PM
super super pretty!!!
2/15/13 0:37 AM
I am in awe of your skill! You've done a beautiful job.
2/15/13 1:00 AM
A super looking coat , great stitching and a most helpful review. I doubt I will be sewing this as it's pretty advanced sewing for me
2/15/13 1:36 AM
This is SO cute and such incredible work! I love it...great color
2/15/13 1:38 AM
Great job! Looks fab.
2/15/13 2:03 AM
Great review and superb jacket!
2/15/13 3:59 AM
Fabulous jacket! You are such a talented sewist, beautiful technique and design.
2/15/13 4:02 AM
This is stunning. I am in awe of your sewing.
2/15/13 4:16 AM
This is wonderful! I love your posts..such great detailed explanations.
2/15/13 5:21 AM
Great looking coat! Thanks for the informative and very helpful review.
2/15/13 6:29 AM
Love your jacket, as already been said perfect.
2/15/13 6:47 AM
Wow, great jacket!
2/15/13 9:12 AM
What can I say but ditto what everyone else said! Just a fabulous jacket and workmanship!
2/15/13 9:46 AM
You are the sewing queen. Amazing!
2/15/13 9:49 AM
Beautiful and I love thecolor.
2/15/13 10:04 AM
You've improved on a great jacket pattern. Very professional results. Bravo.
2/15/13 10:29 AM
Another great review for the Minoru. Thanks for sharing all the details. After 10 years in the Seattle area I can get pretty excited about raingear! LOL
2/15/13 10:45 AM
Gorgeous coat, love all the pictures :)
2/15/13 11:21 AM
Wonderful jacket! I love how it turned out. Great review.
2/15/13 11:40 AM
Though living in a country known for the many rainy days, I've never thought about making a rain coat. till now. Don't know if I get to it, but your superb version and helpful review certainly make me think I could do it. And the style attracts me too. WONDERFUL!!
2/15/13 1:46 PM
Wow! You've used a cute pattern to create a very functional coat! I'm very impressed. Cute gear is hard to fine.
2/15/13 5:48 PM
That is just fantastic!!
2/15/13 6:22 PM
Love the color, love the lining, love the high collar, love the hood...well, you get the idea! Love your jacket.
2/15/13 8:27 PM
Your workmanship is always superb, Sandra. I didn't think I needed this pattern until I saw your review! It's gorgeous and perfectly made.
2/15/13 9:49 PM
Wonderful! I bet it looks really cute on.
2/16/13 1:32 AM
superb coat Sandra and so glad I could help. Love the colour and your attention to detail is perfect.
2/16/13 3:46 AM
What a beautiful coat! I am saving your review to add to my faves so my next Minoru will be more pro!
2/16/13 9:26 AM
I am going to buy this pattern today. I hadn't thought it to be very inspiring until I read your review. : )
2/16/13 10:32 AM
Absolutley stunning - you have done a brilliant job
2/16/13 9:30 PM
I don't even know where to start with my comments. You have taken this pattern that everyone loves and constructed it to perfection. Your details are like the very best of the best RTW. What an educational review. Your sewing skills are amazing.
2/17/13 8:39 AM
I love that you did this in such a pretty color! Beautiful.
2/18/13 0:23 AM
Beautiful!
2/19/13 11:53 PM
Beautiful job and a fantastic review!
2/20/13 9:18 PM
Gosh, many thanks for the kind comments. I've been enjoying the jacket this past week, as it (surprisingly) has continued to rain. Kudos to Tasia for a magnificent pattern!! It really is a lovely style and beautifully drafted. Highly recommended, I'm already planning a second version ;)
2/21/13 4:44 PM
Your skills are such an inspiration to me. This is stupendous - wow.
2/22/13 6:57 AM
This is a fabulous jacket--it looks like high-end RTW--and I mean that in the best possible way.
2/23/13 3:51 PM
Wow wow wow. This is an awesome version of this pattern.
2/24/13 3:43 AM
Wonderful sewing accomplishment!
6/15/13 11:39 AM