Pattern Description: Padded crop jacket designed for brocade. A similar version was included in the same magazine issue called #112 with Mandarin collar.
Pattern Sizing: I sew a size 38.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes in some ways. I used traditional Chinese silk brocade fabric so it does feel different from the magazine's photos.
Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes the design only has a few pattern pieces so it's relatively straight forward to put together.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like the pattern as it has limited number of pattern pieces and it has a long and short versions, with and without the collar.
Fabric Used: Chinese silk brocade for the fashion fabric and silk crepe for lining. I also used cotton flannel for underlining which is much thinner than the batting recommended in the pattern.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: For the version with collar, I extended the collar as the original design is too short for my liking. I laid out the pattern pieces in order to match the dragon pattern across the centre front in the lime version. I also omitted the pockets as there wasn't enough fabric. I also redrew the centre back to take out some fabric at the waist.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Having sewn two I wouldn't sew it again but I would recommend it to other who want a jacket that has large pattern repeat. Limited number of pattern pieces does help to make pattern matching a little easier (still difficult and time consuming but easier!).
Conclusion: I was going to buy frog closures but decided to make my own and I'm glad I did. You can see more photos on my blog:
caper81 said... Wow! Gorgeous jacket! Love the color & print, and it looks fantastic on you :) 2/11/13 11:30 AM
Nenewhis said... Love the color, love the style, what a great little jacket! 2/11/13 11:47 AM
grays08 said... You did such a great job with both of these. They are both stunning and look great on you! Love your attention to detail, it's spectacular! 2/11/13 12:13 PM
KensingtonCrab said... Beautiful jackets and love the contrast linings! 2/11/13 1:00 PM
dolcevita said... Wonderful jackets and immaculate stitching on the inside, too - such a pity that no-one will see your hard work. Gorgeous fabrics, too. 2/11/13 5:25 PM
Sewiing Sue said... Both jacket and coat are lovely. I am not familiar with the term jump hem so thank you for making me aware of that. Gorgeous frogs! 2/11/13 5:31 PM
pdiddly said... both are absolutely gorgeous 2/12/13 2:59 AM
vchan38 said... Thank you all! 2/12/13 10:52 AM
canei said... Love it!!! 2/12/13 12:47 PM
carolynw said... Absolutely gorgeous - your great sewing techniques went into making these so perfect 2/12/13 2:14 PM
NJcowgirl said... Beautiful. Love the colors. Nicely fitting. 2/12/13 2:18 PM
Michele Lommasson said... Beautiful and impressive. I love your frogs! 2/12/13 6:50 PM
becca a said... This is a gorgeous jacket! Your sewing is beautiful--your pictures show such careful details in your sewing! 2/12/13 8:43 PM
JOshiro said... Fabulous - and I love the pink lining, too! Great job. 2/12/13 9:46 PM
norie creates said... Omg! Your jacket is stunning! Love the colors with the pink lining! Such an incredible job! 2/13/13 1:56 PM
Wow! Gorgeous jacket! Love the color & print, and it looks fantastic on you :)
2/11/13 11:30 AM
Love the color, love the style, what a great little jacket!
2/11/13 11:47 AM
You did such a great job with both of these. They are both stunning and look great on you! Love your attention to detail, it's spectacular!
2/11/13 12:13 PM
Beautiful jackets and love the contrast linings!
2/11/13 1:00 PM
Wonderful jackets and immaculate stitching on the inside, too - such a pity that no-one will see your hard work. Gorgeous fabrics, too.
2/11/13 5:25 PM
Both jacket and coat are lovely. I am not familiar with the term jump hem so thank you for making me aware of that. Gorgeous frogs!
2/11/13 5:31 PM
both are absolutely gorgeous
2/12/13 2:59 AM
Thank you all!
2/12/13 10:52 AM
Love it!!!
2/12/13 12:47 PM
Absolutely gorgeous - your great sewing techniques went into making these so perfect
2/12/13 2:14 PM
Beautiful. Love the colors. Nicely fitting.
2/12/13 2:18 PM
Beautiful and impressive. I love your frogs!
2/12/13 6:50 PM
This is a gorgeous jacket! Your sewing is beautiful--your pictures show such careful details in your sewing!
2/12/13 8:43 PM
Fabulous - and I love the pink lining, too! Great job.
2/12/13 9:46 PM
Omg! Your jacket is stunning! Love the colors with the pink lining! Such an incredible job!
2/13/13 1:56 PM