Just Not Sure

It started with this jacket, BWOF 2/2009 #116. I simply adored it, the dressy fabric with the casual outfit. I really wanted to make this but to find that kind of lace in my area, impossible.








Then one day I noticed this lace at Gorgeous Fabrics, and it is still available if you are interested.

Well, I hunted two times for the lining fabric and finally found one I liked. Then, I worked and worked on the jacket, feeling a bit discouraged. It isn't quite what I had in my head, it looks old, not young and trendy as I had hoped. Well, at 46 maybe young is not the adjective I want but stylish, chic and trendy, those are better adjectives. I would work a little at a time and would put the partially completed jacket on my dressform. The twins would say that isn't too good, Mom, it looks old, especially the pointy things on the bottom. How about that adjective?

So here it is, looking old.




The back:



A bit better with some styling, but I am still not so sure.

Inside seam finish.

Now I will review it as the pattern is a very nice one and someone else might want to make this jacket.

Pattern Review

Pattern: BWOF 2/2009 #116

Description: The round neck of this short jacket is reminiscent of Jackie Kennedy’s famous Chanel jacket, but here it’s casually styled with jeans. If it were teamed with a pencil skirt, it would easily make an impression on a date

Sizing: 36 to 44. I made my usual 38

Instructions: The instructions are very good except for the collar. You baste the collar lining to the lace collar. Only cut one of each. Using a piece of lace from the border of the fabric, stitch it with small zigzag stitches to the lace at the seam allowance. Baste first so the lace design is the same on each side of your collar. Then the instructions have you cut away the extra lace from under the border and also the lining from each side of the zigzag. I went to the picture at the BWOF site and looked at the jacket on the model and on the dressform. The jacket on the dressform, does look like there is no lining under the lace collar. I really am not sure I did this correctly but it is fine.

Here is the dressform picture.

To make this jacket, Burda has you hem the lining fabric, then baste the right side of the lining to the wrong side of the lace. After the basting, these two fabrics are treated as one. I tried to baste with my machine but the lace shifted too much. I had to hand baste each piece.

Likes/Dislikes: I really liked the look of the jacket and how it was paired with the lace fabric just made me want to make it even more.

Dislike the whole granny look, just not sure if I can wear the jacket.

Also, the armholes are high. Partly, the pattern and the other, the layers of fabric. There is the thicker lace, the lining and the seam finish taking up some of the room there.

Changes: First, I omitted the pockets. Just didn’t want to do them and I thought they would be lost on the lace design.

I was going to add 1” to the length but the lace was not wide enough, it was just wide enough to get the front pattern piece cut out. So measure your pattern pieces before buying the lace.

Also, I haven’t put on the snaps, I only had black ones in my stash. If I do put them on, I think it needs to be silver. I am not sure I need the snaps but will that help the jacket? What do you think?

Fabric: A beautiful lace from Gorgeous Fabrics. My monitor shows it with more navy tones but it is more in the teal family. A color I really like, too. I think you can tell the color in my photos.

Conclusion: I just don’t know is my conclusion. I had such high hopes and expectations and the garment just isn’t quite doing it for me.

What about you? Do you like it? Hate it? Indifferent? Any styling suggestions? Don't worry you won't hurt my feelings!

Looking at the pictures from BWOF and my pictures, I think it is my shiny lining? I even used the more matte side.