My second entry

The Victoria Blazer is complete and I have entered this as a second garment made from a new to me pattern.  Unfortunately I am not real happy with the outcome and I knew days before that it was not going to be a jacket I will wear much, if at all.

The jacket is cropped.  Because of a shortage of fabric I could not make the full length one.  The front on me is shorter/higher than in the back.  Due in part to no forward shoulder adjustment and even though the full bust measurement is more than my full bust, I probably needed a vertical FBA.  Here is a side view of the jacket that completely illustrates my point.  ( I feel very brave showcasing a not so flattering view; but it is exactly the biggest issue I have with the completed jacket.)

I like the jacket from the front and back views; I just can't go around in a way for people to see only the front or back. :-(

There are some other issues with attaching the lining and the lapels and collar.  I think there could be a work around with that.  I am just not all that interested in working on another one in a longer version at this time.  Too many other patterns and projects to work on.

You can see my full review here.

Next project is a McCall's Knit Jacket!  More later.

Victoria

I have made considerable progress with the Victoria Blazer.  Our Christmas was low key this year; DH and I stayed home for the holiday.  Both of us have had stressful work lives lately and the thought of chilling out was a nice present to ourselves.  I cooked Christmas dinner on Christmas eve so it was truly a DDSD-don't do stuff day!

DH gave me a new camera and a lovely Brahmin purse.  The camera I got before Christmas and now also have a sturdy tripod to use.  Now I need to take classes on taking better pictures.

















Back to the blazer.  I am just about finished with it.  I am not sure in the end if this will be exactly as I had hoped it to be.  I will say entering the New to Me contest on PR has helped ramp up my sewing mojo.  Having next week off I am happy to sew several other items on my to sew list.

I will say that the By Hand London instructions for this jacket are well written and I think the pattern is one a beginner can tackle.

Here are some photos of the jacket in progress.

Since taking those photos I have now attached by basting the collar and the lapels.  I have sewn the lining fabric.  I am going to line the sleeves though the pattern does not call for it. Because of my fabric the lining will help give it some stability and hopefully less wear of the sleeve fabric.

More later..

Silk for jacket

I have completed the pin fitting of the By Hand London Victoria Blazer.  I cut out the pink and black raw silk fabric.  Boy does it ravel!  It is somewhat loosely woven, thus the raveling and you can see some sections of how loose it is.

I serge finished all seams and I think I will also apply a light weight black fusible to the body of this jacket to provide a little more support.

I have a lot of sewing plans in place in my mind for my upcoming holiday and vacay time.  I don't return to work until 2016!  That has a nice ring to it!!!! :-)

More later.

By Hand London

I began the pattern fitting process for By Hand London-Victoria Blazer.  I am using a pink and black silk fabric that I have had in my stash for a number of years.  You can see it in the photo below.  This is from 2010.

The pattern has a large amount of ease as noted on the finished bust/waist and hip measurements.  I cut a size 12 that may prove to be larger width wise than I want.  Several reviewers indicated that the pattern runs large.

I will be using a black lining that also has been in my stash for sometime.

More updates later.

Indie patterns

I realized that I had not posted about my recent independent pattern purchase from across the pond.  I have seen several versions of the Anna Dress on blogs as well as on PR.  I also saw several versions of the Victoria Blazer.  Both patterns are from By Hand London.  I received this fairly quick after placing an order over a week ago.  I think that is one of the fastest deliveries from outside of the USA I have experienced.

Here are two photos of the patterns.  They come in a little box with instructions and pattern pieces included.  Very attractive presentation.

I hope to work on the jacket in the near future.  At least that is my plan today.