I got inspired by some Plaid Eyelash Boucle Suiting in Orchid I saw on Fabric Mart over the weekend. My plan is to make a cropped jacket for my hot pink pencil skirt. While I really like this cropped jacket (you could call it a bolero, too, if you want), I also know I’d rather work with a pattern that has front seaming.
I really like the choice of simple cut and beautiful fabric used in this Oscar de la Renta cropped jacket.
This Kwik Sew pattern (below) has the seaming I want and the look I’m aiming for. The collar is different but I like it. We’ll see if I keep it after I do a muslin. With the plaid, I’ll have to pay close attention to matching at the seamlines but it’ll be worth it.
Click on image to go to pattern source
I was reflecting on my garment sewing and while I had made a shirt here or a skirt there in my youth and in college, it’s only been in the last two years that I’ve actually sewn for myself on a consistent basis. Every garment I make teaches me something new about getting a better fit and I can imagine that with every garment I’m going to make I’ll continue this learning.
What has been your biggest fit realization? Was it figuring out how to adjust for a short waist? Or long arms?
My biggest realization was realizing I have a swayback- sewing certainly forces you to look at your body in new ways.
Indeed. Don’t know if you found this, but once I started fitting the stuff I sewed better, I started liking clothes. I uses to think they had it out for me.
I’ve always liked clothing, but sewing has made me like it even more.
You do make some freakin’ awesome garments!
Aw thanks! I’d have to say you do too!
Oy! Fit is my nemesis. I have a short waist, FBA is required, and a small waist and high hips. So, making up a shirt entails an FBA and a short waist adjustment, and a high hip adjustment. A skirt requires grading out one size through the hips, and the high hip adjustment. It’s taken me a long time to realize how much I need muslins, or, if I’m too lazy, an excellent fitting buddy (usually my husband).
That’s great that you know your alterations needs. I’m slowly adding mine to the alterations list.
As a kid, I remember being frustrated because nothing ever ended up fitting correctly (my mom only knew enough to help me read a pattern and operate the machine). Once I learned about mockups (and how you can cut and manipulate them) in college, I was hooked because I could fix anything if I spent enough time tweaking. The whole idea of a rough-draft was my biggest sewing revelation.
I like the fabric you’ve picked for your jacket – I have a brown & pink version that looks very similar. =)
My fabric should be here sorta soon. I’m a little too eager.