Floral Blazer - Simplicity 1167

  

 It is August, summer is winding down and I am frantically sewing.  Particularly,  those last few summer projects I really want to finish before fall gets here.  Anyone else like that?  A floral blazer has been on my list since May and I found the perfect fabric,   Mood Fabrics' Blue/White Floral Pique.  The fabric is all cotton and was a dream to sew.  If that floral isn't quite your colors, Mood Fabrics has so many great florals.  For the lining, I went with this aqua charmeuse but used the  matte side on my jacket.    I love the shiny side of the charmeuse but with the busy floral print, I liked the matte side better. 

  Now that I had the fabric in hand, I had to find the right pattern and there are so many great blazer patterns, making it a hard decision.  I went with Simplicity 1167, just for the style and shape.  One thing I did like was the front lapels and no collar, which seemed a nice simple jacket for my floral print. 

    The jacket is easy to construct, with nice details. The front flaps, some extra pieces on the lapel and side pockets all add nice extras to the look of the jacket.  I added one inch to the sleeves and they still are a bit short, a fact that isn't too noticeable  with the turned up sleeves.  The pattern does have several pieces, a front inset which is hidden by the front lapels, a small inset piece on the facing, to name a couple extra ones.  Just take a look at the line drawing to get an idea of these pieces, although it doesn't accurately show the front  inset piece.      and here is a close up of the lapel 

  I did like the partial lining, it made my project quicker for my feverish final sewing push.  The sleeves are also lined and treated as one when you attach the the jacket.  All the seams are finished with my serger.  This might not be the finish of choice for some but I evaluate each project.  Trendy or timeless?  If it is trendy and maybe a short lived fashion life, I go with the quicker finish methods.  Now if the project gets the timeless vote, I will use a full lining or special seam finishes,  add the extra interfacing, pad stitching, etc.  You get the picture. 

  One thing I found sewing the pattern, Mimi's instructions (this is a a Mimi G pattern) really speak to me.  Her instructions are well-written and provide additional information but the biggest thing is she sews like me.  The order of construction and the way she handles the interfacing.  I never cut all my interfacing out at once, instead cut it as I need it.  Then after cutting, I fuse that one piece of interfacing to that pattern piece.  Well, this is exactly how the Mimi instructions were, you get to the collar piece and it tells you to fuse the interfacing.  This really appealed to me and I said to myself, Mimi thinks like me, I really like this!

  In the instructions, Mimi refers to the jacket as a boyfriend blazer and you can put on the buttonhole either side.  I went with the traditional side for a buttonhole.  Boyfriend part of the description is part that might not be too accurate.  I feel like a boyfriend garment is a bit oversized, I don't feel that way at all about this pattern.  It does not have much ease and isn't too long on me.  If you are going for that boyfriend look, then size up.  I went with a size 12 at the shoulders and split the difference between a 12 and 14 and the bust and back to a 12 at the waist.

    Now back to the fabric, the floral pique, I love this fabric.  I haven't sewn with cotton pique in several years but I really enjoyed  working with this fabric.   My only recommendation is a new needle. I am so happy I went to work on this jacket, the colors are fabulous and I love to wear blue.  Plus I had a RTW top in the perfect blue to match my floral blazer.  One thing I do like about sewing up those last minute garments for a season,  they are a true wardrobe refresh for the last few weeks. 

  I hope you finish your last minute projects and I am heading back to finish a couple more! Picture note - I went to a public garden in my town, I thought  a perfect setting for a floral garment     Disclosure - I receive a monthly fabric allowance from Mood Fabrics to make a garment.  These garment are blogged at Mood Sewing Network first and then I will blog here about this garment.