Silhouette Patterns: 900 (Carol's Jacket/Top)  - Type:Coat/Jacket  | | Viewed 254 times
| 5 more reviews | Review rated Very Helpful by 9 people | | Reviewed by: | NhiHuynh | 
 | About NhiHuynh | | CA USA | | Member since: 1/4/11 | | Reviews written: 86 | | Sewing skills:Advanced | | Favored by: 14 people | | patterns reviewed: 67 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 12/20/12 2:49 PM | | Project Photo: |  | | Pattern Photo: | Pattern Info provided by NhiHuynh | | Pattern Rating: | Great Wardrobe Builder | | | | Fabric: | Denim [See other projects in this fabric] | | Related Links | Click on  to add a link |
| Pattern Description:
Jean jacket.
Pattern Sizing:
Sizes 1-4 and 5w-8w. Includes B, C, and D cup sizing. I wanted mine to have a shrunken look so I graded down to a size 0. The smaller size means I can't really button up my jean jacket. I live in California and never wear any of my jean jackets buttoned so this is not a problem for me.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? No, you can actually tell mine is a jean jacket. The pattern envelop photo is pretty terrible. When I was looking for the jean jacket pattern at her booth, I missed it more than once. When the gal handed it to me, I didn't believe her until I examined the line drawing. Also I added the pockets.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
The pattern has a lot of pieces but it's really not difficult to make. It is time consuming if you do the topstitching. The instructions are pretty easy to follow. Warning the cuff pattern piece is wrong. It should be a rectangle instead of the curved piece that is in the pattern. I didn't notice until after I had already cut the curved cuffs. This wasn't a problem, I just sewed across and crossed my stitching line as if it was a rectangle.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
If you've read my other reviews on Silhouette patterns, I really like this company. The sizing using finished sizing takes out the guess work of variable design ease. Cup sizing means no extra SBA work for me. The 3/8" sa means no clipping or grading. The style is a traditional jean jacket. Doesn't seem like it'll ever go out of style.
I don't like the bad envelop photo. I really doesn't help sell this great pattern. The cuff piece being incorrect, mentioned above, is an annoyance.
Fabric Used:
Bill Blass light weight denim. The lighter weight really helps when you have to get through a lot of layers. This is the same fabric I made these jeans from. I forgot I had softened the fabric with a can of coke. It's is really soft. The softness works better for the jacket than the jeans.
For the buttons I used the dungaree button from JoAnns. The reviews for these are terrible but I used them before without problems. Maybe I don't put as much stress on them. I like that no special tools or sewing is needed to attach them. I don't like their jean button because the shank is too high.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I added the front pockets. I was looking at RTW and they all had those front pockets and they do really look nice. If you want more details on the pocket construction please let me know.
I also added 1 more button than what was called for on the pattern. Because of my alterations, one of the button would have been at the yoke where there was already too many layers and seams. This would have been a recipe for disaster.
I can't tell if it was my pattern alternations or the pattern but I ended up with way too much cap ease. With denim, there was no way I could ease in this much. I tried the tie interfacing and everything. In the end I cut down the cap to eliminate all ease. The cap was too high for me anyway.
Other alternations were my usual ones for fit.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I'm not sure that I need another jean jacket for a while. I would recommend it to others if they're looking for a jean jacket pattern.
Just a word of warning that this is a time consuming endeavor. There is a lot of topstitching. Here's a good pic of the jacket laid flat so you can see all the topstitching. I used my Elna Grasshopper which is a straight stitch machine so I had to sew each seam 3x. Once to sew the pieces together and 2 more for each topstitching line.
There are a lot of button holes. I did mine manually with a zigzag stitch. I didn't want the standard rectangular button hole. On the RTW the button holes are rounded on one side to accommodate the jean button shank. I made myself a template cut out of blue painters tape. Stuck it in place and zig-zagged inside the template. It didn't turn out as neatly as I would have liked but you can't tell when I'm wearing it.
Conclusion:
I love my new jean jacket. I've worn it several times already. I goes with a lot of outfits. Everyone is surprised (even other sewers) that I made it. 
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15 Comments
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Wow-that looks fantastic! Great job
12/20/12 4:39 PM
12/20/12 4:40 PM
Very RTW in the best way. Such a good length and fit on you!
12/20/12 4:58 PM
You did a great job on the jacket. It really does look very ready to wear! Thanks for the coke tip too.
12/20/12 9:02 PM
Your jacket looks AMAZING!!! I love the added pockets. What a cool looking sewing machine you have, too. Very nice sewing!
12/21/12 0:04 AM
Excellent jacket! Your review is so helpful. Thanks.
12/21/12 7:19 AM
Very nice jacket! Great review-thanks!
12/21/12 7:25 AM
Definately looks like RTW!!! Great job!
12/21/12 10:05 AM
You're really tempting me to look more closely at the Silhouette series. Thanks for the detailed review! Your jacket looks fantastic.
12/21/12 10:08 AM
Thanks for the great review. Your jacket looks terrific. I have a few Chico's jackets that are very similar made from stretch cotton sateen and non-stretch cotton twills (prints). They are very cute and I can see this pattern being very useful to make cute summer jackets.
12/21/12 4:18 PM
Very RTW, lots of top stitching, you must be proud...
12/21/12 9:46 PM
Looks so good and great fit. Well done!
12/22/12 6:25 AM
Your jacket looks so good. I think I need one of these!
12/22/12 10:44 AM
Turned out great! Well done with all the topstitching, that would've driven me crazy. I also love that dress - coveting that fabric!
12/24/12 2:03 AM
Great work! Looks very nice on you!
12/30/12 1:14 PM