Saturday, June 25, 2016

Catching up.

I can't believe it is so long since I last posted. Instead of writing my posts I have been reading other people's. I have been sewing though. In May,  I made a McCalls knit jacket but I took a while to get photos then in June I sewed another jacket this time for my husband  and now in readiness for July I have prepped a pattern and cut out something for myself. Another jacket. I sense a theme here.

The first item was a lightweight drape front jacket for myself, McCalls 5830. It was a bit of a disappointment. It looks lovely on Myrtle but she has a much straighter back and shoulders than I do.


On me, from the front, it looks OK but from the side it swings out at the hem and emphasises my rounded shoulders. It may get worn, but it is a lightweight interlock and not suitable for the current cold weather.  In retrospect it would have been better made as a top but I wanted to test the pattern and the colour is not one I normally wear so a muslin it became.


Next I sewed a winner. My husband is feeling the cold badly this year and I decided to make him a fleecy jacket to wear in the house.
 Instead of buying new fabric he suggested I use some remnants I had from a previous top and track pants I had made for myself. I was a bit afraid it might be too girly but he said he didn't mind so I went ahead. I had just enough.

 The body is a patterned purplish grey and the sleeves a plain grey with black rib hem and neck bands and a black separating zip front. The black rib came from my stash so the entire jacket cost $5 for the zip. Bargain!

The pattern is a very old Just Knits pattern dating from the 70s I think. I picked it up at an op shop (thrift shop) some years ago. It is a multi sized pattern that needed to be traced so I chose  medium which was a perfect fit. I stitched it with .5mm seams and then finished them with the overlocker. The pieces went together easily and the zip went in without a hitch. I wish I could show you a picture of the zip but I'll be lucky to peel the jacket off my husband long enough to wash it.


July's project is Burda 8390, a jacket with a zip front. I'm making the collarless version on the left. It's all cut out ready to go, so more next time.

12 comments:

  1. It's a good sign when your husband won't let you peel the jacket off him! It is so nice! From the 70's? One would never know- a classic is a classic. Your little knit jacket is nice too. Don't be hard on yourself, maybe it needs a little more drape? But I think your next jacket is going to be a show stopper. Can't wait to see it made up.

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  2. Kathy, your husband's jacket is wonderful - and yes, not surprised he won't take it off! My husband won't take the fleecy robe I made off either!!! And I think your cardigan will be lovely for cool nights when you want to throw something over your shoulders - maybe not for smart, but for casual or for around the house, it will be perfect. I actually like less than perfect garments for doing things around the house - you don't mind so much what happens to them.

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    1. Thanks, Sarah Liz. You are right, of course. Some of my so-called failures have turned into things I reach for most often. When you don't go out to work, you need clothes that are presentable without being too good for every-day wear.

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  3. Kathy, your husband's jacket is wonderful - and yes, not surprised he won't take it off! My husband won't take the fleecy robe I made off either!!! And I think your cardigan will be lovely for cool nights when you want to throw something over your shoulders - maybe not for smart, but for casual or for around the house, it will be perfect. I actually like less than perfect garments for doing things around the house - you don't mind so much what happens to them.

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  4. You have been busy Kathy. Such a shame you are not loving your jacket. It looks fine in the photo. Your husbands jacket is a great success. Well done!

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  5. Fantastic job on your husband's jacket as well as your own. I like the jacket on you too and think the color suits you well. The Burda jacket you are working on looks interesting! :)

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    1. Thanks,Lisa. I'm hoping the Burda jacket will be a success.

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  6. Great jackets. Yours looks good in the photos and your husband looks adorable.

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  7. Best compliment ever when you can't get the photos you want as they want to keep wearing it. Best unselfish sewing ever. :)

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