Pattern Description: Semi-fitted, lined princess-seamed jacket has shaped, faced hem, 2-piece sleeves w/buttoned vents, shoulder pads and front button closure.
Pattern Sizing: A(6 8 10) I made size 10. I think the pattern runs a little big. I would normally make a 12 when I plan to wear layers underneath but this size 10 jacket is plenty roomy.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes it does.
Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were easy considering the jacket has 16 pieces and 4 lining pieces.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? What initially drew me to this pattern...I bought it as soon as it came out...was the back detail. I love the look of topstitching and there is plenty. I also liked how it looked in suede. I think the pattern is very well drafted...all the pieces fit together perfectly. I love the collar and the darts in front, as well as the shaped hemline. There is really nothing I disliked about this pattern.
Fabric Used: After I had purchased the pattern I was on the lookout for the perfect suede and found it a couple years ago at the now-closed fabric store in my town. I call the color mushroom...sometimes it looks more brown, sometimes more gray and sometimes it seems to have a greenish tint. LOL It looks more gray in the pics but IRL it's more brownish. I think the nap of the suede greys it out a bit.
The buttons I found at Joann's. The lining is Bemberg Ambience which I always use and have on hand in many colors.
I used a size 14 leather needle. I changed the needle halfway through the project. I was concerned how my machine was going to handle seams with sometimes 4 layers of suede but it never wavered. I heart Babylock!
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I topstitched both sides of every seam in this jacket...darts were topstitched on one side only. I liked it as a design element as well as necessary to make the seams lay flat.
The hems on the sleeves were done with Steam-A-Seam although I did not use steam. I probably could have glued them with a glue stick.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I'm sure I won't sew this again. It was a project doing it in the suede and although I love how it turned out I don't need another of the same style.
I would definately recommend this jacket pattern. I want to make the little top too.
Conclusion: I wore this today and I am so pleased with it! I've had this pattern and suede for a long time, planning to make it and it's great to finally have it finished and hanging in my closet.
Enjoy the pics...I've included quite a few so you can see the details.
ArtAttack said... OMG! This is a work of art. Beautiful work, great pattern, luscious suede and you...killer combo! Great work! 1/15/13 6:51 PM
EleanorSews said... Spectacular! The perfect pattern, the perfect fabric and the perfect execution... 1/15/13 7:10 PM
style inspired said... Beautiful jacket and excellent work. Isabel Toledo has such interesting designs. 1/15/13 7:35 PM
Jstarr4250 said... Stupendous- you do such gorgeous work. This jacket is amazing. Look at those sleeves heads and buttons. Amazing. 1/15/13 7:43 PM
Rhoda K said... Beautiful jacket and ditto what everyone else said ;-)! 1/15/13 7:49 PM
AuntieShel said... Oh so fabulous!!! Impeccable work!! 1/15/13 7:50 PM
sewnotwork said... That's a great jacket. Great job! 1/15/13 7:59 PM
RMJ said... So well done! 1/15/13 9:54 PM
frame said... Your jacket is gorgeous. Great review and wonderful pictures. 1/15/13 10:27 PM
quathy said... Fabulous!!! So inspiring! thank you for the many photos! 1/15/13 11:16 PM
KarlaB said... Beautiful jacket!! What a matchup of pattern for your suede! Such wonderful details! Unbelievable work! I'm in awe! 1/16/13 0:14 AM
treefrog said... Wow! Your jacket is fantastic. Well worth the wait for perfect suede. Beautifully sewn. I'm curious to know what the clips were like to use. I've thought about buying them but they are fairly expensive in the stores here. 1/16/13 0:24 AM
cmcarr said... Wow! Such beautiful work and attention to detail. 1/16/13 1:01 AM
Clareew said... WOW, what a fabulous jacket. Brilliant, I love the back seaming. 1/16/13 3:11 AM
mmcp said... It looks gorgeous! You didn't have any of the fitting problems other reviewers had with this jacket? 1/16/13 6:28 AM
MelissaB in WA said... Amazing jacket - wow! 1/16/13 9:36 AM
prttynpnk said... Lovely!! 1/16/13 3:58 PM
prttynpnk said... Lovely!! 1/16/13 3:58 PM
PattyE said... Thanks so much everybody!
treefrog, the Wonder Clips are available on Amazon for cheaper, I believe. I have found them to be must-haves.
mmcp, I had to go back and read the reviews of the others who've made this jacket. Honestly, I made this right out of the envelope. I thought about taking in the bottom an inch or so, but then decided against it. I must have a bigger booty than the others and much less boobage! LOL I didn't have issues setting in the sleeves...I think you can see the ease in my pic that was worked into the armscye. I tried to be very careful because I didn't think ripping out anything was going to be an option with this suede. It all went together very well. 1/16/13 4:46 PM
carnelian said... Wonderful on you! Thanks for the great detail shots. That shoulder...exquisite. 1/16/13 8:23 PM
waltzqueen said... Fabulous. Beautifully sewn. Wonderful suede. Gorgeous fit. A fantastic jacket in every way. 1/17/13 1:42 AM
This is fantastic.
1/15/13 6:29 PM
OMG! This is a work of art. Beautiful work, great pattern, luscious suede and you...killer combo! Great work!
1/15/13 6:51 PM
Spectacular! The perfect pattern, the perfect fabric and the perfect execution...
1/15/13 7:10 PM
Beautiful jacket and excellent work. Isabel Toledo has such interesting designs.
1/15/13 7:35 PM
Stupendous- you do such gorgeous work. This jacket is amazing. Look at those sleeves heads and buttons. Amazing.
1/15/13 7:43 PM
Beautiful jacket and ditto what everyone else said ;-)!
1/15/13 7:49 PM
Oh so fabulous!!! Impeccable work!!
1/15/13 7:50 PM
That's a great jacket. Great job!
1/15/13 7:59 PM
So well done!
1/15/13 9:54 PM
Your jacket is gorgeous. Great review and wonderful pictures.
1/15/13 10:27 PM
Fabulous!!! So inspiring! thank you for the many photos!
1/15/13 11:16 PM
Beautiful jacket!! What a matchup of pattern for your suede! Such wonderful details! Unbelievable work! I'm in awe!
1/16/13 0:14 AM
Wow! Your jacket is fantastic. Well worth the wait for perfect suede. Beautifully sewn. I'm curious to know what the clips were like to use. I've thought about buying them but they are fairly expensive in the stores here.
1/16/13 0:24 AM
Wow! Such beautiful work and attention to detail.
1/16/13 1:01 AM
WOW, what a fabulous jacket. Brilliant, I love the back seaming.
1/16/13 3:11 AM
It looks gorgeous! You didn't have any of the fitting problems other reviewers had with this jacket?
1/16/13 6:28 AM
Amazing jacket - wow!
1/16/13 9:36 AM
Lovely!!
1/16/13 3:58 PM
Lovely!!
1/16/13 3:58 PM
Thanks so much everybody! treefrog, the Wonder Clips are available on Amazon for cheaper, I believe. I have found them to be must-haves. mmcp, I had to go back and read the reviews of the others who've made this jacket. Honestly, I made this right out of the envelope. I thought about taking in the bottom an inch or so, but then decided against it. I must have a bigger booty than the others and much less boobage! LOL I didn't have issues setting in the sleeves...I think you can see the ease in my pic that was worked into the armscye. I tried to be very careful because I didn't think ripping out anything was going to be an option with this suede. It all went together very well.
1/16/13 4:46 PM
Wonderful on you! Thanks for the great detail shots. That shoulder...exquisite.
1/16/13 8:23 PM
Fabulous. Beautifully sewn. Wonderful suede. Gorgeous fit. A fantastic jacket in every way.
1/17/13 1:42 AM