B5616 Denim Jacket

Hello Readers,

When in between seasons, especially Sydney's current extra mild autumn, thoughts do not turn to coats and boots and scarves but to in between jackets. You know, a little unlined something to grab on the way out the door just incase a bit of cool air hits.

 So I made this from stash denim and B5616.

Yes, that is the Opera House. I went to the ballet with a camera shy friend who insisted if I was going to have a shot in front of the Opera House I also needed one in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

After we saw the three one act modern ballets, one of which was curious, one of which was ho-hum and one of which was brilliant (and sipped champagne during intermission) we went to the James Squire pub in the Rocks for dinner. All in all a lovely day out. It reminds me why I love Sydney.

B5616

People, I was not organized enough to sign up to SoZo's  http://sozowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.com.au/  increasingly popular Me-Made-May, but this is my Me-Made-Saturday in May. 

I also made the fully lined polished cotton dress, reviewed on PR  here. It's been too hot to wear a fully lined dress until now!

The jacket is made from B5616, a recent pattern purchase. Other reviewers on PR found it a little boxy but it was just what I wanted and I love the fact that it fitted me right out of the packet. Bonus!

The denim was originally dark brown and I dyed it using Dylon machine dye in Black Velvet. Here is a link. I was a bit apprehensive about using dye in my machine but it was easy and the result a very pleasing antique blue with dark undertones that's just perfect, even if it was not black or the black/brown that I expected. The instructions said to do a full wash with an empty machine afterwards but as I was reluctant to waste power and water I threw a load of faded denims in to pick up any residue and clear the machine. It was fine. 

I put jean buttons down the front and co-ordinating snaps on the sleeves, did some carefully chosen topstitching and then had a hell of a time with the buttonholes. I'll do the nitty-gritty when I write the Pattern Review.

I like this pattern. I'll be using it again.

Happy Sunday wherever you are,

Val.

Material Conversations

Dear Readers,

This is my fourth month of using stash, only stash and nothing but the stash.  I have decided to try to ease up on my pattern purchases as well and if I get an idea for a garment but already have a pattern that is similar, I try to modify the pattern instead of buying a new one. Having an extensive pattern collection helps and it also doesn't hurt to have access to an excellent local library that carries Burdastyle magazine.

For a while now, I have had my eye on Tessuti's Lily Dress.  link here
It reminded me of this Style pattern that I have had forever..Does 1998 count as vintage?

Modifying the pattern wasn't hard. I brought the edge of the shoulders in a bit, extended the length of the sleeve and added an elbow dart and one vertical dart, eliminated the diagonal seam from the body of the dress, shortened the dress by 6 inches and was ready to go.

What fabric could I use from the stash? I had some lovely teal pure linen that is too good to use on an experimental garment. I had some chambray that had washed up too crackly and did not have enough drape. I had some smoky blue linen/lycra blend that could do. I am going through a 'blue' phase so the colour was appealing. I knew the material was slightly too thick and springy but nothing ventured nothing gained so I preshrank it then laid it out and cut..

The material kept saying ha ha you will end up with a Very Plain go-work -the-feilds Olde Worlde Dress.

I kept saying no I won't. You will be casual, winter-beachy with the slightest arty edge.

I worked, I tweaked, I fiddled with the fit, fiddled with the sleeves, fiddled the square pockets which weren't working and re cut them into rounded off ones. I trimmed the outer corners of the skirt and put in hemline pleats, then added some more.  

I fiddled with the length from too long too short, to just right (with heels).

The dress said "I've won".

I said "No, you haven't".

Either way, I love you. Thank you for the inspiration Lily.

Detail shot:

How are you all doing?

Val.