Project No. 1 - future leather jacket
You've already seen prototype no. 1 for this - my quilted curling jacket. They say that a "wearable muslin" should be made up in fabric similar in hand and weight to your intended "good" version. Well, on that theory, this jacket was a big fail as a muslin. The knitted version is stretchy and puffy while the intended "fabric" - luscious lamb leather - is sleek and firm. Apart from the too-low armscyes, I couldn't tell if the pattern would turn out well in leather. And I wasn't certain if the armscyes would really be too low, if made in a fabric that wasn't prone to stretching in the length.
But the curling jacket did pass the "I think I like the style well enough" test. So I made a real muslin out of some hideous green woven stuff I found a bolt of at a thrift store.
I'm still liking it. And it turns out that raising the armscyes by about 2cm was a good call. But this muslin shows the things that still need adjusting.
The neck seam is about 1cm too high. I have a forward neck. This won't matter a bit when the jacket is open, as I'd probably wear it about 98% of the time. But I'm going to lower the neck, and lengthen the collar accordingly.
The bust darts are too long. This could be a marking/sewing error. I'll sew them shorter in my good version.
The sleeves are a tiny bit too short, though I already took out my customary 2.5cm.
As you can see better in this view of the back, the shoulders are a tiny bit too wide. I am going to think about whether to adjust the pattern, or (easier) fix this with some shoulder structure in the jacket, with minimal padding.
I'm going to plan the zipper placement properly and put a seam in the right side facing and the left jacket front, rather than apply the zipper on top of these pieces. I have deluxe Riri zippers for this jacket, and even though the front one will be partly hidden, the shorter ones in the front sleeve seams will be on full display.
I am going to retrace this with my adjustments, and 1cm seam allowances. I will make a pattern piece for every single piece, i.e. one for each of the left and right sides, as taught by Kathryn Brenne.
Project No. 2 - Leather mittens
I've made leather mittens before. But the ones I've got planned will up the ante, in terms of the complexity of the pattern.
These are sewn together by hand - a simple running stitch - but they go together surprisingly quickly. I have some quality time with a glover's needle ahead of me.
Project No. 3 - Knitting
I'm well into my version of this great sweater/jacket. The pattern is available free here (in English) and here (in original Finnish).
I'm making it in a gorgeous teal colour.
Pictures to come. Or check out my progress on Ravelry.
So much wonderfulness going on in your studio!
ReplyDeleteTerrific projects, Kay! I marvel at how you find (make) the time for all you do.
ReplyDeleteCan't say how much I support the selfish crafting! I never want to make something for anyone else again :-)
ReplyDeletelook forward to seeing your progress with the Leather jacket - I have some soft sued that needs to be sewn.
ReplyDeleteKay do you sleep from time to time ?? OMG you have work so much. I am posted here waiting the next pictures ;-))
ReplyDeleteI love the fit of this jacket on you! I wish I could find a jacket pattern that looks as good as this on me. I envy you.
ReplyDeleteIt's particularly nice with the collar down, ie showing lapels.
I'm looking forward to your progress on this.
The knitted sweater/jacket is lovely too.